<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Goatboy @ Sep 15 2008, 09:19 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Why can't you grasp that terrestrial broadcasters have a bigger audience? They have the biggest audience share, because people (usually) don't have to pay for it or have special equipment. It just sounds like sour grapes on your part now.
Overall this may be true, but why Goatboy can't you grasp, as someone who produces consistently good posts IMO, the second something is marketed for mainstream appeal it becomes diluted, dumbed down and compromised. Invariably all the bike racing fans that I encounter watch Eurosport in preference to the BBC, although I do accept that not everyone has access to the channel as opposed to the BBC. When Sky had WSB in the '90's the viewing figures were far greater than when the BBC siezed upon it early this decade, admittedly this was post Foggy, but even then Eurosport was pulling in more viewers than the regular slot on BBC2. Having championed the series for several years, they then dropped it like a stone in favour of Moto GP, and they've been out of their depth ever since.
This decision by Dorna is based on quantity and not quality, and will not produce as many die hard long term converts to the sport as they'd like to imagine. It is based on superficiality, and despite the fact that Eurosport submitted a higher bid than the BBC which to me illustrates their greater level of long term commitment and devotion to the sport, Dorna opted for the BBC for the reason that you have highlighted - to expand the television audience, and market the product, which will be reduced to little more than a watered down short term fad to 90% of the new audience they attract.
Show me this time next year that the BBC have done a respectable job in their coverage of the 09 season, significantly raising the profile of the sport in the process, and providing the insight and passion that Eurosport do and I'll gladly retract my words. Until then I will continue to insist that the demise of the team that was Ryder, Moody (even if he is a Dr. Niles Crane and Alan Partridge hybrid), Mamola and Spalding is a disaster for any sincere Moto GP aficionado.
