THE lack of pre- and post-match analysis on the BBC’s Super League coverage of Leigh Leopards’ clash against Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity’s fixture against St Helens had raised some consternation amongst the rugby league fraternity.
The only time pre- and post-match analysis has been present on BBC’s Super League coverage was in Round One for Salford Red Devils’ 82-0 capitulation against St Helens.
But, after contacting the RFL, a governing body spokesperson told League Express that there are three models that the BBC have been using and will be using moving forward for their Super League coverage.
The pre- and post-match analysis from Round One is one model – and it won’t be the only game to feature both pre- and post-match analysis.
Leigh against Warrington was a second model, with host Tanya Arnold and the commentators present but off-screen, meaning there was a shorter build-up.
League Express were also told that the third model is for games that the BBC streams – on BBC3 or online – whereby they have the same commentary as Sky and Super League Plus.
Incidentally, the figures for Leigh’s 18-14 win over Warrington were slightly better than initially reported, with an average of 296,000 viewers and a peak of 382,500.
