~ ~ I have been a Sky Sports Channel subscriber ever since it first came out on cable here in Ireland.
Most of my regular readers will appreciate straight away why this is the case.
Yep, you got it in one. Their GOLF coverage.
~ ~ Many of you may well argue, and probably with some justification, ... Read review
Advantages: See opinion Disadvantages: See opinion
~ ~ I have been a Sky Sports Channel subscriber ever since it first came out on cable here in Ireland.
Most of my regular readers will appreciate straight away why this is the case.
Yep, you got it in one. Their GOLF coverage.
~ ~ Many of you may well argue, and probably with some justification, that they only carry most of the golf coverage on TV today as a result of the massive amounts of money they are prepared to ... ...came on the scene (mainly the BBC) was equally as good. (and free; well, apart from the yearly licence fee)
This is true, but only in part. Certainly, one of the best golf commentators around is Peter Allis, who now does a lot of work with the ABC Network in the USA, and who pops back now and again to commentate on tournaments like the British Open (on this week) that the BBC still retain the rights to.
His droll sense of humour and ... more
~ ~ I have been a Sky Sports Channel subscriber ever since it first came out on cable here in Ireland. Most of my regular readers will appreciate straight away why this is the case. Yep, you got it in one. Their GOLF coverage.
~ ~ Many of you may well argue, and probably with some justification, that they only carry most of the golf coverage on TV today as a result of the massive amounts of money they are prepared to pay for the privilege, and that golf coverage before Sky came on the scene (mainly the BBC) was equally as good. (and free; well, apart from the yearly licence fee) This is true, but only in part. Certainly, one of the best golf commentators around is Peter Allis, who now does a lot of work with the ABC Network in the USA, and who pops back now and again to commentate on tournaments like the British Open (on this week) that the BBC still retain the rights to. His droll sense of humour and quick wit certainly cheer up any commentary, and it is fair to say that I still LOVE this fella’s work. But on a week in, week out, basis it is unquestionably Sky Sports that give the golf fan in the UK and Ireland what they want. There is hardly a tournament on the European Tour that is not covered in full and in depth, and as well as this we get equally full coverage of all the major events on the US Tour, the US Seniors Tour, the LPGA Tour, (ladies golf) and the European Senior Tour. Even smaller events on the satellite tour (sponsored by Mastercard) for aspirants to the main PGA Tour, get a small amount of coverage on a weekly basis. Add to this a plethora of other golf programmes giving tuition, weekly round-ups, etc and you have everything that a true golf fanatic could ever wish for from a Sports Channel.
~ ~ Not only this, but the commentators are both highly entertaining and knowledgeable about the game. In the anchor spot in the studio you have David Livingstone, who while not a golfer himself, has picked up the “knowledge” necessary very quickly, and does a fine job of introducing the shows, and interviewing both the players and celebrities. Three of the main commentators are Ewen Murray, the Scottish ex-professional, Alex Hay, the well known and highly respected golf columnist, and when they visit American shores our during the Majors, Butch Harmon, the American ex-pro now turned golf “guru”, who is the guy who coaches none other than the phenomenal Tiger Woods. (The fact that Murray is actually a friend of mine going back to schooldays, and that I used to caddy for him on occasion when he still played the Tour, off course does nothing whatsoever to colour my opinion. Ahem….Well done, Ewen my son!!) You also have Ken Brown, the ex-Ryder Cup golfer, and Howard Clark, yet another Ryder Cup player.
~ ~ About the only complaint I would have with the Sky golf coverage is that they carry WAY too much advertising, which does tend to take the icing of the cake a little when you have ad breaks that sometimes seem to last as long as the coverage itself.
~ ~ Off course, this is only one aspect of the Sky Sports Channels, and they are also renowned for their soccer coverage. Again, the coverage is both full and comprehensive, with many ex-professional footballers like Andy Gray, George Best, George Graham, etc (to name but a few) giving in depth analysis and commentary on nearly any important soccer match you care to name. Sky have been criticised for their policy of making more and more matches “pay to view” events, but I really can’t see where there critics are coming from here. The channel is a commercial enterprise, when all is said and done, and is perfectly entitled to maximise their profits in any way they see fit, and which the general viewing public are prepared to pay for. People think nothing of paying through the nose to go and watch a game live at a football stadium, so I cannot for the life of me see why they should then complain when they are asked to pay a few quid to watch the same game live in the comfort of their own living room.
~ ~ These two sports would be the main reason that I personally subscribe to Sky Sports, but they are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their coverage of sporting events. They also give full coverage of boxing and all the main World Title fights. Then there is WWF (Wrestling) which many people would argue isn’t a sport at all, but a circus side show, but which I nevertheless find entertaining to watch from time to time. If you’re a cricket fan, then you’re also well catered for, with both county and Test matches getting hours of live coverage. Then, depending on your own personal interests off course, you have the “minor” sports. Snooker, pool, horse racing, Rugby Union and League, Motor racing (though not Formula One), ten pin bowling, Asian Football, Aerobics, sailing, cycling. The list goes on and on.
~ ~ My particular subscription is through NTL Cable, which will be going fully Digital in my area of Dublin later on this year, which will give me an even GREATER choice of channels. The cost currently is a measly £37 (Irish Punts) per month, although this will probably increase somewhat when the Digital network is up and running. For this price, not only do I get the three main Sky Sports channels, but all the terrestrial channels from both the UK and Ireland, a few extra satellite channels such as MTV and Disney, as well as the three main Sky Movie Channels. Nine quid a week for all that entertainment. Go on, tell me it isn’t a bargain.
Advantages: Gray, Tyler, the content Disadvantages: Jimmy Hill
You can imagine the scene now .... Courtroom One, the place is hushed, the man and the woman glare at each other across the seething room, the woman's barrister speaks slowly and solemnly: "Mrs D was driven to the point of distraction by dave27 and his horrible and prolonged abuse. She is now filing for divorce and she cites as the co-respondent..." A buzz goes around the gallery as the expectation is tangible "... Sky Sports."
Now I know that this ... ...high quality sports coverage provided by Sky Sports and its unfailing ability to grip the attention of the great British male viewing public like an absolute vice has undoubtedly been the source of considerable marital tension in living rooms the length and breadth of the UK this last decade.
Football on Sky began with a bang back in August 1992 with the advent of the Premiership League and all that it entailed and the good old greatest game in ...
dave27 31.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Skysports
Advantages: Great coverage Disadvantages: Rip-Off prices, Why not have the channels dedicated to different sports
This is my updated opinion on Sky Sports, and their disgustingly rip-off attitude, a lot of the points have already been made in my original opinion, but they have in the meantime got even worse.
My Moan:
I have been a Sky Sports subscriber for many a year now, although through my Cable package, so this means I am unable to receive their extra channels i.e. Sky Sports Extra, etc, and this is where the problem lies.
I have noticed over recent months ... ...stuff EXCLUSIVELY on “Sky Sports Extra”, it started with the Cricket (Overseas matches between India, Australia, etc), then the odd show here and there became exclusive to this channel, and now, the final nail is, they have moved the very important “Sky Sports Centre” and The “Copa America”, as well as a pre-season friendly, involving Liverpool to Digital only, WHY? Is there any real need, I mean "Sky Sports Centre" ...
brianlfc 23.12.2000 (01.06.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Skysports
Advantages: The only place to watch most of the big sports action live, the delayed repeat broadcasts can be useful Disadvantages: The choice of presenters, the generally bland and self-serving approach can grate, the unavoidable issue of "why should anyone have to buy into a special subscription service to see events which the whole public ought to be able to watch on normal TV?"
Sky Sports was a key factor in my decision to "go digital". While it isn't right that most major sporting events are only available on cable/satellite, that's the way the world operates now and towing the line is necessary unless you're prepared to forgo the pleasure of watching the top action. The question is, does Sky - with its three main sport channels - offer enough to warrant the £15-a-month outlay?
Well, if you're a football fan - in general, ... ...would probably be yes. Besides the high-profile Premiership matches (of which there are at least two a week), there is good coverage of the lower leagues. Live games from Nationwide Divisions 1, 2 and 3 are a regular feature, as well as comprehensive weekend highlights programmes. Followers of these clubs are catered for just as much as fans of the glamourous sides. The Spanish La Liga also gets a live match each Saturday and Sunday evening, often ...
EnglishPatient 07.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Skysports
Advantages: Plenty of football and rugby Disadvantages: Plenty of cricket
Obviously this title has been created to attract an audience and I’m sure that some people’s blood will boil. But the title is just a crude tactic to entice readers and at most I can only offer you one paragraph on why I hate cricket and why it shouldn’t be on a sports channel. A review of Sky Sports is almost like writing a love letter because spread across these three channels it offers so much wonderful, wonderful sport. Obviously ... ...view on Sky Sports. So what are you reading this for then if you are?
Sky Sports is spread across three main channels (weirdly named 1, 2 and 3) as well as the catchy-titled Sky Sports TV .com and also Sky Sports Extra. I only receive the first three channels as I’m not a Sky Digital subscriber, but I know enough of them to give a fair assessment, but as I’ve little exposure to these channels I’ll get them out of the way first.
...
kfingleton 11.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Skysports
Advantages: Good sports coverage, Kirsty Gallacher Disadvantages: Mainly covers football, rugby, cricket, golf. Other sports only get brief mention.
Sky sports.com TV is another great idea from Sky in its digital revolution. The channel is based on the Sports Centre which is a half hour news programme on Sky Sports (or an hour on fridays) at 6pm each night. However Sky sports.com TV means that you never miss any sporting action, it keeps you up to date with all the latest sporting results as well as giving you the breaking stories as they happen. This includes things such as the announcement ... ...caption at the bottom of the screen giving you sports news stories you do not miss any sporting stories. This is great for the die hard sports fan who does not have a lot of free time and just wants to quickly find out the latest sports news.
The morning session called Good Morning Sports Fans gives you news on all the scores and goals from the previous nights football matches, as well as scores, results, and footage from any rugby, cricket, boxing, ...
SkinnyWinny 20.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Skysports
Quality and consistency...
Range of programming
Quantity of advertising
Value for money
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Eurosport is a really fantastic television channel for sports fans!
Although it's content doesn't compare with skysports you have to remember that it comes free of charge and despite this has a wide range of profesional sport. If you are a fan of a minority sport then this channel is bound to feature it sooner or later. For example I like watching skiing and without eurosport my viewing would be restricted to ski sunday once a week on bbc.
There is lots of football highlights on from the european leagues, and they show some international games also.
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MattSlat 10.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Eurosport
Advantages: 24 hr sports Disadvantages: hubby is addicted to the channel
Hussain, Essex, England
Mike Atherton, Lancaster, England
David Lloyd, aka bumble??.need I say any more
Darts
Sid Waddell - the master of one liners
Rugby League
Phil Carke
There are many many more sporting personalities who give their expertise on their chosen field and if you wish to see a list of the experts it can be found at skysports.com
Skysports.com
Linking in with Sky Sports News, skysport.com also provides news information about the sporting world. Presented in a similar format to the TV channel the website is presented in a tabbed format which makes the selection of the appropriate sport easy to do. Ticker tape information of the latest sporting headlines is provides the reader with immediate information, and the option for sky subscribers to watch programmes on line as well. The website provides more varied ...
Sky Digital has been around for around 18 months now and since it was launched under a huge wave of publicity it has lived up to all the things that it said it woul.
The channel choices on Sky digital are vastly superior to any available on the competitions channels and therefore it is well worth the £40 installation charge. Not only do u get all the standard channels but for £30 a month you get 14 movie channels, lots of music channels as well as being able to listen to radio stations, 4 Sky Sports channels with SkySports news and main more channels that arent available on competition packages.
The games included in Sky Digital are of good quality and the picture quality using the mini dish is very high.
I have has cable, On digital and Sky digital and to be honest now that I have Sky I will not be choosing another digital ...
