What has the BBC ever done for us?

I have been disappointed with the BBC's live coverage of its last two Super League matches shown on television.

For both Wakefield v St Helens and Leigh v Warrington, there has been 5 minutes of pre-match build up, minimal post-match coverage and no studio or pitchside coverage, merely a voiceover instead.

I did wonder whether this may be a consequence of the farcical season opener between St Helens and Salford on the BBC. On that occasion, there was pitchside presentation, there was pre-match build up and post-match analysis. 

Salford fielding an academy side and losing 82-0 was an unbecoming spectacle for the sport and would have left sport executives at the BBC angered that they had covered such a no contest. Tanya Arnold, who was anchoring coverage that day, appeared almost apologetic to viewers at the end.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that the BBC concluded that if we were going to serve up such fayre, then they would treat the remaining matches with minimalist coverage. And who could blame them?

Many look back favourably at Channel 4's coverage of Super League in 2022 and 2023. The infectious enthusiasm of Adam Hills gave the impression of a broadcaster who was thrilled and honoured to cover Super League. It was also many people's first introduction to the likes of Mark Wilson and Kyle Amor (in a commentary role at least), who both added colour and verve to the occasions.

Yet what we must recall is that the media reported at the time that Channel 4 did not pay to cover Super League and we gave the rights away for free. By contrast, the BBC are reportedly paying to cover the competition in 2024 and 2025.

If forced to choose between enthusiastic Channel 4 coverage for £0 and minamilist BBC coverage for a paid fee, the sport is right to choose the latter. Being on the BBC brings greater exposure and financial returns.

The purpose of this piece is not to bash the BBC, who do a lot for our sport. Far more than it is given credit for, in my view.

Starting with the broadcast team, the likes of Mark Chapman, Tanya Arnold and Matt Newsum clearly have a genuine affinity for our sport. Matt Newsum, especially, appears to possess an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the sport. 

And for those who follow live text commentary of the football on the BBC (which Matt Newsum sometimes contributes to), you will note that he never misses an opportunity to shoehorn in a Rugby League reference.

This is a long way from the days of Steve Rider and John Inverdale covering the sport, barely being able to hide their contempt of Rugby League.

The BBC's local radio coverage of Rugby League is also exceptional. At a time where eyes are on the BBC and talk of cuts are never far away, we should all make an effort to use this coverage or risk losing it.

The BBC's local radio output covers Super League extensively in the form of live commentaries. But it is not just that, Radio Merseyside, Radio Cumbria, Radio Manchester, Radio Leeds and Radio York all cover Championship and League 1 matches live and Radio Cumbria also has frequent commentary from women's matches too. Many Super League matches are also live on BBC 5Live Sports Extra.

Moreover, the coverage extends to preview shows, phone ins, interviews and much more. There is an argument to be made that the BBC gives the sport more coverage that the general public interest demands.

So whilst I am somewhat disappointed with aspects of the BBC's output this year, it is important to look at the full picture. The BBC will broadcast 30 matches live on TV in 2025, countless more matches on the radio and much more ancillary coverage too.

It is up to us as fans to make the most of this coverage to make sure it continues and up to the sport more widely to ensure that the BBC continues to see value in the extensive coverage that it provides.