08/11/2006: James Richardson's Bravo column

Here we go again then! Gazzetta’s off the air and uncertainty surrounds the live game too. Many thanks indeed to everyone who put up posts here and elsewhere on the subject, I’m truly sorry we won’t be able to continue bringing you our weekly round-up, but we will be trying to fit some elements of Gazzetta into the live game build-up – the highlights of the previous round, for example, and the papers. Hopefully that’ll help a little.

We always knew this was going to be a transition year, although the blistering start to the season and the World Cup win made it easy to forget. Serie A has been tarnished in the eyes of many by the scandal, and certainly the fact that Juventus’s usual place in Serie A was filled by, er, Messina seems to have had a big impact on the ratings. Bravo’s deal runs out this summer and – I’m guessing here – given that they don’t feel overly confident about retaining it for next season, their desire to build up the channel as the home of Calcio has been significantly weakened by all this.

In the meantime they do deserve credit for having invested in Italian football with all the trimmings – live games on site, Gazzetta on location, Mezzanotte, large ice creams in the piazzas. It’s a shame it didn’t work out for them.

Serie A will find a home elsewhere, of that I’m certain. After all, next season holds the promise of the most appetising campionato in years. Not only are Juve likely to be back (to put it mildly), but we could have Genoa and Napoli in Serie A too, meaning Genovese and Turin derbies again, plus Napoli’s grudge matches with, well, everybody else.

Of course before that there’s still six months left of this season, and with the promise of a very unusual title race between Inter, Palermo and Roma let’s hope we’ll be following it on Bravo for as long as possible. Short of ‘Goldenballs’ signing up for Milan (just what they need, eh?) the biggest help to the show’s chances will be – as you’ve all spotted – a major rise in viewing figures. Right now, with Serie A barely mentioned in the TV listings, too many people just don’t know when and where the games are on. It shouldn’t be the viewer’s job to tell them, but in the current climate it certainly can’t hurt.

Keep the faith – like Barry Manilow we’ll make it through the rain!

^ Wow the man's passion for Calcio Italia is undeniable.
I get the impression from the article that he'l stick around whoever gets the rights for next year, which is great.
My fear is it might be Ch 5...

Why on earth would it be bad on C5? Sure, the coverage might be slightly dodgy, but there's a chance it will go to an expensive PPV channel, which I simply won't be able to afford.

I'd do anything to have Calcio back on terrestrial TV.

quote:

Originally posted by MICHAEL_LA_VIOLA:
Why on earth would it be bad on C5? Sure, the coverage might be slightly dodgy, but there's a chance it will go to an expensive PPV channel, which I simply won't be able to afford.

I'd do anything to have Calcio back on terrestrial TV.

Aside form the potentially woeful coverage I fear they might treat Calcio as they do Dutch footie and show it in the early hours.

quote:

Originally posted by zeds:

quote:

Originally posted by MICHAEL_LA_VIOLA:
Why on earth would it be bad on C5? Sure, the coverage might be slightly dodgy, but there's a chance it will go to an expensive PPV channel, which I simply won't be able to afford.

I'd do anything to have Calcio back on terrestrial TV.

Aside form the potentially woeful coverage I fear they might treat Calcio as they do Dutch footie and show it in the early hours.

That'd be fine by me. A round-up like they do for French football and maybe a game or two 'as live'. I'd like it if they showed it close to when the matches were played rather that 5, 6, or 7 days later though.

quote:

Originally posted by zeds:

quote:

Originally posted by MICHAEL_LA_VIOLA:
Why on earth would it be bad on C5? Sure, the coverage might be slightly dodgy, but there's a chance it will go to an expensive PPV channel, which I simply won't be able to afford.

I'd do anything to have Calcio back on terrestrial TV.

that would be better than nothing plus it would be free

Aside form the potentially woeful coverage I fear they might treat Calcio as they do Dutch footie and show it in the early hours.

I hope the Lega realise the effect of recent happenings in Italian football and make their asking price realistic for TV companies. Hopefully Bravo will put faith in next season with Juve back in Serie A (should we be promoted), but I really hope someone takes it. Anything is better than nothing, but I'd prefer it on Channel 5 to Eurosport. I'd be happy if ITV bought the rights and put it on ITV2 or 3. Really gutted Gazzetta isn't on anymore though. Rightly or wrongly, I knew relegating Juventus would have this effect on the championship's global appeal, so it can't be too much of a surprise.

...as Sky have an interest in Italy, why don't they give it a go? It would probably attract more viewers simply because it's on Sky, and the fact they have La Liga shouldn't be a reason for not having Serie A. They could do the cross-promotion after Premiership games, as they do with Spanish games. Let's face it, more people would know it was on if it was on a major channel, so it would probably gain more exposure.

I would be unhappy to lose live coverage of Italian football. However, maybe the future is online streaming and perhaps we should be looking at our Italian clubs providing decent streaming of both home and away games to supporters beyond a geographical perimeter. I think something was done like this in Paris whereby the residents of Paris and it's extensive suburbs could not recieve streamed PSG games but everyone else in the world could. No negative impact on attendance at home matches.

I have watched Inter's CL games on skysports.com for £3 a shot (uefa.com also stream CL games for £2). Using my dodgy work laptop the quality was good and can only get better as technology improves. Mr Moratti I'd happily pay £60-90 for a streaming season ticket to watch Inter. Think global.

Going back to the plans to scrap Gazzetta.I spoke on (and met off air) Talksports Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs yesterday in Cenral London.
They were genuinley interested and concerned over the fate of Italian Footy on the box.They romised me they would try to contact someone from Bravo and get them on air .Also they said they would try and get JR on air over the subject

Two genuine honest and humble guys.Hope they can help.

Good work, that man! What were you doing down here, Nige? Should have called me up.

quote:

Originally posted by blackandblue:
Good work, that man! What were you doing down here, Nige? Should have called me up.

Only a fleeting visit BnB..Was doing some work on the crane outside Talksports offices on the South Bank.For what it's worth I've spoke and met them both many times before and they always have time to chat.Obviously as Andy Jacobs pointed out during the radio interview ,it's all down to budget why Bravo have potted the show but they did promise to try and help.
Incidentally if no ones ever heard the H and J show on Talksport from 1 to 4 in the affy then your missing the funniest (footy obsessed) show on the airwaves...give it a try

quote:

Originally posted by man city nigel:
Only a fleeting visit BnB..Was doing some work on the crane outside Talksports offices on the South Bank.

Be careful there nigel, I'm sure with a bit of research I could work out the name of the company you work for and all sorts of personal information about you. You'll banned from the forum in next to no time

quote:

Originally posted by Curva Fiesole:

quote:

Originally posted by man city nigel:
Only a fleeting visit BnB..Was doing some work on the crane outside Talksports offices on the South Bank.

Be careful there nigel, I'm sure with a bit of research I could work out the name of the company you work for and all sorts of personal information about you. You'll banned from the forum in next to no time

Correct me if I'm taking this the wrong way but why would you want me banned...and why would you want personal info about me ??
I have nothing to hide..but thats creepy.

I'm out of here for good.It's been good whilst it lasted

He doesn't want you banned Nigel. He's being cynical because thats why I got suspended you see so now theres a joke where by anything people type could be classed as personal information and we could find where you live.......

quote:

Originally posted by man city nigel:

quote:

Originally posted by Curva Fiesole:

quote:

Originally posted by man city nigel:
Only a fleeting visit BnB..Was doing some work on the crane outside Talksports offices on the South Bank.

Be careful there nigel, I'm sure with a bit of research I could work out the name of the company you work for and all sorts of personal information about you. You'll banned from the forum in next to no time

Correct me if I'm taking this the wrong way but why would you want me banned...and why would you want personal info about me ??
I have nothing to hide..but thats creepy.

I'm out of here for good.It's been good whilst it lasted

As Ginacarlo said, it was supposed to be a bit of fun, aimed at the over-bureaucratic moderators of this forum.

Some regular members have been suspended for posting e-mail addresses and, in a post somewhere on the forum, the moderators have warned us against posting anything that could provide an indication as to our identity or home.

So, I thought I'd pick up on the fact that you were said that you were working on a crane at Talksport.

Sorry, please don't leave us. The forum needs posters like you.

Moderators, please ban Nigel for his own safety

quote:

Originally posted by myles2:
Moderators, please ban Nigel for his own safety

OK ...I get it now..I took it the wrong way.By popular massive consent ( 2 posts ) ...I'll hang around

Fool - for I am The Stalker

You have been warned

quote:

Originally posted by Curva Fiesole:
Fool - for I am The Stalker

You have been warned

Not John Stalker I hope !!!!