TV Coverage and the healthy state of British Boxing

[superheavyrhun]

This is something that I've been thinking about over recent months, and although I think that British boxing is in a healthy position, and there are a lot of good fighters coming through and developing, but I feel that as the strength has increased the broadcast situation has actually deteriorated so that less people get to see the good British fighters as they develop and work through the ranks.

Primetime and Boxnation are the recent experiments in terms of taking boxing on to specialist channels, and with a couple of promoters and more importantly a few of the big names in British boxing being featured on these minority channels, then this reduces the exposure. I think the real impact will be felt once Boxnation adopts the subscription model on this front.

As for Sky, their boxing output looks very weak at the moment, although fair play Quigg v Booth this weekend looks decent. When Sky had Frank Warren on board, and the large stable that he brings with him, they were a big player, at the moment people are not going to be subscribing purely for their boxing output as I did a few years ago.

However, there is a ray of light, and although he may not be the biggest or best name Tyson Fury is getting very good audiences on Channel 5, and showing that it is possible to put boxing on terrestrial TV, and that is ultimately what would really push the sport back into the mainstream limelight again.

My own opinion is that by going to a specialist subscription model, the promoters are making a rod for their own back by severly restricting the number of people who will be watching, and thus reducing the advertising revenue dramatically, which I don't think that the subs will eclipse.

[ross]

Iv got to say, although I dont see Tyson Fury beating the Klitschkos he does make me want to watch him fight. He has charisma, something Haye lacks big time.

He has the right platform, free to view TV but he also has a likeable character. Froch fucked up big time, he should take a leaf out of Furys book and become more fan friendly. He does have good fights but no one cares about him.

[Phillips]

Boxnation is a great idea but the thought of paying an extra £10 a month on top of the sky sports subscription i have is absolutely terrible. How the he'll can they charge me a extra 10 pound for boxing. I love boxing and will definarly not be paying the extra 10 pound a month. I guess that I will be watching the fights that Chanel 5 put on from now on. I also think that Frank warrens top fighters like Nathan cleverly should move promoters to mick hennassy so that he would get a lot more money for his fights and a lot more viewers by fighting on chanel 5. Like Tyson fury has and will be attracting 5 million plus viewers for his fights.

[superheavyrhun]

The only thing I can imagine is that the promoters are offering the fight to TV cheap hoping to recoup with higher ticket prices as a result of the extra exposure, but it's working out really well for Channel 5 so far.

As for boxnation, if it was available in a standalone way then i might consider it, but as it is an add-on to subscription TV which is already expensive, then it just ain't going to happen.

[0james0]

I love the fact boxing is appearing in more places, but it is a superficial happiness. The truth is that boxing is quickly becoming a die hard fan only sport.

Sky seem to be losing many big name fighters as they jump ship to Primetime or come under the Box Nation stable.

Boxing is such a greedy sport it infuriates me sometimes.

[Master]

I do not have sky and wish virgin take on Box Nation at no extra cost for me please!!! Otherwise I would pay for it, I want to see the Cotto fight.