Talking Sport: No doubt TV is ruling sporting fixtures

There is no doubt television rules the roost in sport these days.
Trevor WatsonTrevor Watson
Trevor Watson

Thursday night rugby league, football on Mondays, meaning coverage every day of the week, Liverpool supporters up in arms because they have to go to Exeter on a Friday night for a televised FA Cup tie.

Kids have little interest in cricket because it’s mainly on Sky as is most major boxing. But the telly folk pay their brass and customers like it or lump it.

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But quite a few businesses will have already marked Thursday, June 16 next year as a tricky day. That’s when England play Wales at football’s Euro 16. Naturally it’s televised and the kick-off is at two in the afternoon. Cue a lot of people taking half-a-day off work, recession or no recession.

Actually the game may not be crucial. Countries can qualify by finishing third in a four-team group as only eight of the 24 taking part will drop out, which is ridiculous, but then again it makes for more TV brass.

BBC big-wigs will be giving thanks to that delicate flower Tyson Fury for his outbursts guaranteed to upset the politically correct brigade and spark outrage on twitter.

Fury, as subtle as a cattle stampede, has given mass publicity to what was becoming one of the biggest bores of the sporting calendar, the Sports Personality of the Year.

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Four weeks ago whatever he said would have been ignored but his world heavyweight title victory and daft comments have guaranteed huge viewing figures if only to see him lose. If he wins expect questions in parliament by publicity-desperate MPs.

Former Leeds Rhinos skipper Kevin Sinfield is on the short list for the award and there are high hopes around this area. He’s unlikely to win but deserves something for services to his sport over the years – and he never said anything silly.

It’s becoming a regular thing but chuckle of the week was again provided by Man U, who after their European defeat in Wolfsburg, complained that the dressing room was too hot. Those who used to wash outside in a bucket of cold water after a game will have little sympathy and I wonder how many of them then went out to play wearing gloves.

You also wonder how hot the Bournemouth dressing room was last Saturday when United were stuffed.

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Much was also made of the average age of the Old Trafford side, which was a mere 24 years 131 days.

They weren’t exactly bairns.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is overcoming Jose Mourinho for publicity and had his team celebrating in front of the Anfield kop after snatching a late draw against West Brom. Last season that would have got them and then manager Brendan Rodgers booed off.

Anthony Joshua eventually flattened keen rival Dillian Whyte in an ugly boxing affair that saw spectators brawling in the ring at the end of the first round. If they have a re-match the tickets will be like gold dust. And, of course, TV will be there, whatever night it is.