19-05-2024, 09:42 PM
(19-05-2024, 09:29 PM)lookoutwales Wrote: Strange bit of timing by the WRU to formally unveil details of its new ‘Elite Domestic Competition’ to replace the Welsh Premiership.
The ten-team ‘Super Rygbi Cymru’ will operate as a closed shop for the next three seasons at least and its build-up has been contentious (Neath were twice refused a place - Pontypridd and Merthyr are also notably absent)
What sort of coverage we’ll see remains to be seen but the norm for the past couple of seasons has been by-and-large non-linear midweek games, streamed usually on Thursday nights and produced for S4C by Whisper Cymru.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see coverage stepped up, even if it seems a rather forelorn attempt to help Welsh rugby through its doldrums.
www.bbc.co.uk
What was the quality of the coverage of the women's Celtic Challenge? I guess that might be a blueprint for wider coverage of matches that don't get the S4C treatment. Another example is the Super 6/Super Series in Scotland, which has/had a similar premise. That has generally seen one match a week on a linear channel - either FreeSports or BBC Alba - and one other game streamed by BBC Scotland weekly. All coverage was made available outside the UK on YouTube, and this usually left a mtach or two with nothing but highlights.
The S4C coverage of the Premiership, despite usually airing online only, is a very good standard - with Welsh and English commentary plus a presenter. It's higher quality than S4C's online-only Cymru Premier football coverage (albeit that gets a lot more matches with full coverage on linear S4C).