by thedoc » Fri Apr 05, 2019 2:26 pm
Howard Booth <howard.booth@bbc.co.uk>
Fri 05/04/2019 11:22
Hello Dr. Fitton,
I hope you’re well. Apologies for my delayed response to your email regarding Monday’s sports desk but I have been on leave this week.
Firstly, let me assure you that no one is more frustrated than myself and Richard on the sports desk that we are not able to show the goals from all our EFL teams win, lose or draw. The reason we can’t are time constraints, we have to battle for every second we get on sport and it simply isn’t possible to show them all. We decide (and often argue) about what must go in and stay out and try very hard to balance things out as best we can. The reason Morecambe didn’t feature on Monday is because they have featured several times over the last few weeks when they have had their other vital wins. But with the team moving nine points clear of the relegation zone, we had to give priority to teams closer to promotion / relegation issues at this stage of the season.
Our friends at Granada show action from every game, our senior producers have a different take and don’t permit us to do so. May I also point out, you say that we have TV rights and Granada don’t which isn’t accurate. The BBC Has no rights to the Football League games other than very limited access that lasts for 24-48 hours under a scheme known as the Sports News Access Code.
As fans of EFL clubs and both hailing for Lancashire, neither Richard or I have any bias towards Manchester or against our lower League clubs. It would make is extremely happy to cover all our sides every week, but as I mentioned earlier, it just isn’t possible. And rest assured, after yet another Jim Bentley miracle, we are planning a Shrimps feature very soon. I hope this explains the situation even if you (or indeed I) don’t agree with the policy.
Very Best Wishes,
Howard.
Howard Booth
Sports Producer – BBC North West Tonight
Media City UK