110sport.tv is not showing the UK Championship qualifiers next week and may not cover any more of the main tour qualifiers following a disagreement with World Snooker just a few months into a three year deal signed earlier this year.
110sport are unhappy that secondary rights have been sold to bookmakers to be streamed free on betting websites.
It would obviously discourage viewers from paying for 110’s coverage if they could get it free elsewhere.
There was apparently a clause in the original contract but I understand 110sport believed this applied only to betting shops.
For the same stream to be available both on a pay per view basis and free would be a little like the All England Club selling the Wimbledon rights to Sky Sports and then a week later selling the same rights to the BBC.
Of course, without 110sport’s pictures the bookies are unable to show any of the action either, so it looks as if the online coverage of qualifiers has come to an end after only three events.
110sport is now likely to concentrate on its own events, such as the Legends series it launched in Glenrothes last month.
I asked World Snooker for a comment two days ago but have not received one so am unable to put their side of the story.
Streaming the qualifiers was a great opportunity to showcase the game and, in particular, some of the lesser known players further down the rankings.
When the deal was announced, World Snooker said: “The standard of play at the qualifiers is unbelievably high, and now fans across the world have the chance to watch some of the legends of the sport and up-and-coming stars in action.”
Not any more they don’t.
UPDATE: 110sport tell me there may be an eleventh hour deal in place in time to show at least some of the coverage from next week.
ANOTHER UPDATE: World Snooker has now, finally, put a statement on its website in which it denies any disagreement, although doesn't deny there is one between 110sport and World Snooker's broadcast agents, IMG.
I gave them two days to put their side of the story and supply a comment yet they chose not to. It would have cleared up any confusion about the precise nature of the dispute, although the material facts remain true: there is today no coverage of the UK Championship qualifiers for the reasons I stated above.
58 comments:
Please, somebody get Barry Hearn in as soon as possible to save the game.
Typical (but not unsurprising) incompetence.
This was always on the cards, it was mentioned in my original talks with World Snooker. It is a very good point though as being able to watch it free would impact heavily on the PPV revenue available. Although we see blackout from this event do you not think a solution can be found?
This I am afraid says it all about those supposedly running this game. If anyone was ever in doubt about the competence of those involved in the commercial side of this sport then this should confirm all and any suspicions of sheer and utter incompetence.
It's a real shame that the qualifiers aren't going to be shown anymore. I don't think World Snooker are at fault on this one but the fact that they can't provide a comment doesn't look great. A contract is a contract though.
110sport might just be trying to get out of this because subscriptions were so low anyway.
I can only assume that, WS will have contracts with bookmakers to deliver the signal to the shops, they may even have been paid for this, does in turn mean the WS will be in breach of contract with them if 110 do not broadcast. There must be a Service Level Agreement in place that will contractually oblige each party to deliver their end of the bargin.
RichP
How can you say that World Snooker at not at fault here, there is a mutual blame, each party has a duty of care to ensure that both parties understand the delivery components of the contract, to have such a glaring error puts them both at fault, and lets not forget that the Chairman of 110 sits on the WS board.
The comments about the contract is a difficult one to parry ...
Although someone once said " A contract is the starting poing for negotiations".
No not Syd James, or Stan James but Rupert Murdoch.
And he knew how to win people around ...
"starting poing" - like ping poing. Maybe it was his Aussie accent ...
RichP seems to know a lot ... or at least seems to think he knows a lot.
Remember IMG are involved here ... are they not the ones who couldn't find a sponsor for the world champs when 110 sport did?
Maybe IMG have just over-egged this particular pudding
Oh dear oh dear. I'm disappointed neither 110sport or World Snooker have announced this on their websites. I was looking forward to next week's action despite some reservations I have about the coverage, in particular the commentary.
As usual it's the snooker fans who lose out.
Would the last person to leave world snooker turn out the lights......... :(
Surely if you're signing a contract things such as web rights are clearly stipulated. 110sport knew what the contract consisted of back in September so not sure why it's come to blows now, probably because a bookie deal had almost been concluded. To sign up to something and not know the full ins and outs seems ridiculous. I can't see how World Snooker can be blamed when it's all down in black and white?
110 certainly recieved the commission for finding the sponsor, (Or as Fred Done say, When I heard The World Champs were up for Grabs I made the call and would have paid much more for it)then perhaps they also recieved commission for negotiating the 110 Tv deal, or maybe Sir Rodney did, or maybe there was no commission as there may not have been any money on the table, someone one day will I am sure unravel all this mess and perhaps then we will get to the bottom of it
there must be more to it...WS must have some trick up their sleeve. It can't be as simple as they screwed by by selling rights to the betting cos to stream for free. Even if this was somehow allowed by the contract -who'd be so foolish??? Nope -there must be another twist in the story somewhere!
RichP says;
"Surely if you're signing a contract things such as web rights are clearly stipulated. 110sport knew what the contract consisted of back in September so not sure why it's come to blows now, probably because a bookie deal had almost been concluded. To sign up to something and not know the full ins and outs seems ridiculous. I can't see how World Snooker can be blamed when it's all down in black and white?"
Unless you are reading from the same contract that 110 and IMG and world snooker have to hand, I doubt if 110 have reversed out of a deal unless they were sure they were right. And I doubt world snooker would be staying quiet unless they had something to hide. Or maybe not them - maybe the other party they employ got it wrong.
Of course, that could never happen ...
After turning him down previously, WSA now give full rights to the streaming to Hearn in return for him removing his statement of intention to stand for Chairman if the incumbent is removed............
Everyone happy.........
maybe
110 sport signed the contract which said the betting sites could stream some matches.
So its their fault for agreeing to it and not reading the contract properly.
Walker is not to blame this time.
Well, whatever happens it's disapointing having waited so long for coverage of the qualifiers. I thought 110sports presentation was good and can't really complain about the commentary as it's not national television. It will be interesting to see what happens next...
hope they give live streaming somewhere quick if 110 cannot go ahead. Stop punishing the fans world snooker and give us some service!
I don't believe it! Just as something really good comes along, it stops again.
I was only having a conversation half an hour ago with Vladimir Sinicin of Russian Eurosport, saying how good the 110 coverage had been.
The price was too high.
There seems to be lots of speculation on this, probably beacause WS did'nt put their side across when asked. It looks like people cant wait to do a number on WS. Its becoming very predictable, as if it is orcastrated in some way or somebody has an axe to grind, I hope thats not the case.
There is a statement on 110sport.tv now, saying it's NOT a problem between them and World Snooker but between them and IMG. Also, the problem might even be solved ahead of the UK Championship qualifiers, it says.
How much of this can we bare from The Walker, Doyle and McMahon show.
These people sit in the same board room in the same company and between themselves have taken approx 200k out of the company according to last years accounts. Yet inspite of this they are now publically airing their cock ups and guess what over, a contract that was awarded to a board members company. Am i the only one that thinks this must be the end for them. If they survive this snooker will not surve them.
I didn't say they were 'in dispute with' World Snooker. I said there had 'been a disagreement', which is true.
STATEMENT
Because of media speculation today, 110sport would like to make it known that they are not in dispute with World Snooker, the governing body of professional snooker, concerning the broadcasting of their qualifying events for forthcoming ranking tournaments.
110sport are currently in discussions with IMG over a contractual matter that has arisen, which 110sport have actively been seeking a resolution to.
110sport hope this matter will be resolved quickly in order that they can provide TV coverage from the Pukka Pies UK Championship qualifiers from Prestatyn.
There will be no further comment from 110sport at this time.
Dave what is the disagreement between WS & 110
I agree with the earlier statement that 110 might be looking for a way out because subscriptions were so low anyway. There is very little demand to watch the qualifiers, only the die hard fans would do it and not at the prices that 110 were charging.
If I published everything I knew about this I would drop several people in the brown stuff.
I applaud your censorship free blog David, and on that basis I know you'll allow this message to reach the comments page.
I would also like to say that the WSA seem to be to blamed for everything.
Who was blaming them? Certainly not me.
It might help, though, if they answered perfectly reasonable media requests.
All they have done today is remove the 110sport advert from their front page.
RichP says;
"Well, whatever happens it's disapointing having waited so long for coverage of the qualifiers. I thought 110sports presentation was good and can't really complain about the commentary as it's not national television. It will be interesting to see what happens next..."
Earlier today you were telling us what was going to happen. Changed your mind?
it seems sensible removing the 110 ad until its resolved between 110 and IMG
“110 sport signed the contract which said the betting sites could stream some matches.
So its their fault for agreeing to it and not reading the contract properly.
Walker is not to blame this time.”
You seem to know a great deal about this. RichP has now gone all anon!
How many people are sitting with copies of this contract? How many legal eagles can you have on the one blog?
I think the fact 110 have picked up their cameras and walked suggests that THEY have read the contract. Possibly unlike a great many pontificating on here!
Hi Dave,
I would bypass World Snooker and go to PA for comment ;)
Thanks, Joe
There's far too much criticism of World Snooker on here. They're trying to get as much exposure of our sport as possible, and yet people they give contracts to then pull the plug on the coverage. How is that the fault of World Snooker. 110 should be ashamed, as should all those who criticise the running of our sport. If you have nothing positive to say, then don't say anything at all.
From the sublime to the ridiculous eh?
This game has got to get its act together before the revenues dry up completely. Wonder what Pukka think of this in their 1st venture into snooker sponsorship?
The main protagonists (The Doyles/Walker/McMahon) need a 'Guvnor' to lead them out of the state they seem to be in, and attempt (and thats all it can be at this stage) to take the game to a higher, and more positive, profile.
And if Uncle Jack is the 'Sacrificial Lamb'/ in all this ?
I'm afraid its 'So be it' time.
Did I just read that correctly, 110 have stated that They are not in dispute with World Snooker the Governing Body.
I thought it would be worth while helping them out a little to stop them making any more contractual or commercial mistakes. World Snooker are not the governing body of Professional Snooker they are an independent commercial arm wholly owned by the Governing Body. I would have thought with Lee Doyle Chairman on 110 being on the board they would have at least got that bit correct in a press statement. My own opinion is that Professional Snooker is moving on and these amatures are now being found out for who they are in the real commercial world.
Mybe we should make it multiple choice
Who is the governing Body of Professional Snooker
a) World Snooker Ltd is the Governing Body
b) Mikey Mouse is the governing Body
c) The WPBSA is the Governing Body
d) 110 is the Governing Body
Answers on a post card and forward to 110 as they are clearly Unaware and I am sure would welcome any help you can give them
12.50am.
There certainly are a number of people who think they own the game so the answer to your multiple choice question is:
All of the above and Mickey Mouse covers anyone else not mentioned.
It is always the most pedantic luminaries who trip themselves up.
I tried contacting ‘Mikey Mouse’ and he assured me he had nothing to do with the Disney organisation or professional snooker and that he was going to contact his friend the Meerkat because of this confusion this misrepresentation of his name had caused.
I’m sure if you apply to 110sport, they will happily consider you as a possible Press Officer … so long as the first question is not about Mickey Mouse …
In reply to various anon I haven't gone anon just haven't got anything more to say on the matter. I rightly predicted what's happened so far as I that's all the info i'm privy to - the background of the whole debacle. I don't know what's going to happen now but I would like the betting sites to stream the snooker on their sites as I think that will only be good for snooker, hopefully a deal will be agreed in due course. I'm not sure why you've got it in for me I've only posted the facts.
Dave you should keep this and The Barry Hearn Exclusive at the top of the page as I feel we have not heard the last of either.
Now for the £64,000 question. What do the fans want to see most?
A. People still talking about how different things would be if we had taken the TSN deal from 10 years ago
B. A power struggle for the game between an incompetent governing body and an agency in it to make a name for themselves
C. A publication that has more pages covering this power struggle than about the game itself
D. None of the above and just to watch the game on the telly.
Dave prhaps I could have your opinion on this
If, as is the case at present, the board members of WPBSA actively and aggressivley campaign to keep SRW in favour of Barry Hearn, would you assume that Doyle Dunn, McMahon etc would do the propwr thing and resign if as is looks likely SRW is voted out and Hearn is in. Can you see anyway that they culd sit under a man they had actively tried to keep out.
Regarding the comment at 12.20 - if there isn't a major change soon in the way things are run, you might not have much snooker to watch.
Indeed, you might have a lot less to watch now than you do, had it not been for people fighting against the WPBSA's bad administrators over the years.
You can't simply sit back and act as if there's no connection between on-table and off-table matters. Snooker events don't happen by magic; they need to be financed and well run.
The failure to make the connection between the game's declining fortunes and its awful administration is a problem which has afflicted so many players, which is why we are where we are.
If things just carry on as they are and the game drifts out of the spotlight, leaving little or no big time snooker to watch, the person who made the post at 12.20 will have no grounds to complain about it.
And finally, if you don't want to know what's going on behind the scenes, don't read it.
3.10 - in my opinion if they've been elected they have every right to stay there until such time as the players vote them out
What about this one: What do ppl want to see most?
A) Peter Ebdon singing 'Where are the Clowns'
B) Alain Robidoux still trying to keep that pink on the table against Ronnie in the WC
C) Alex Higgins headbutt a behind the scenes person
D) Clive Everton fall off his seat in the commentary box
5.13
Hi Dave, this is an international corporation we are talking about, not a miners social club committe. If a party choose to campaign against a candidate or for one, they effectively choose this on the basis that they believe one or the other to be better for the game. If they choose wrongly and the electorate go against them, it surely means they would be representing and working for someone with whom they do not believe to be the right prson for th job. Worse than that if they choose to campaing on a negative basis they surely have only one option and that is to resign.
Lets put it another way it will be intersting once the current board realise they are looking at a landslide 'no' vote for Sir Rodney to see how many of them jump ship for this very reason.
To Anon at 2.40am - My vote on those choices goes to Clive falling off his chair - it was hilarious!
Sadly I can't say the same for the current complex situations and discussions going on within the game.
Hi Dave,
World Snooker are like the old Darts Organisation (BDO is it??) Though they have a fair few tournaments, you wouldn't know it. I think they get the same amount of tournaments on BBC as the Snooker does. And that is it.
So, Snooker isn't that much different from the old darts organisation. But, compared to the PDC, Snooker is way behind the times.
I hear Hearn is trying to get the two darts bodies to merge, which, if he could, would be fantastic (though i didn't understand how players from the BDO could take part in the PDC grand slam event last week - anyone know?)
So am all for Hearn trying to do anything with Snooker. I mean it doesn't endorse or promote any other tournament going around the world - you wouldn't know these tournaments existed if it weren't for other snooker websites.
Get the man in....
Thanks, Joe
Joe the grand slam of dart's is open to both pdc and bdo organisation's.
Cheers 5.37.
Sorry to go all darts here, but does that mean PDC players are allowed to enter BDO tournaments?
I take it this isn't allowed for their respective world championships, though?
Thanks, Joe
No Joe its only in the grand slam that they join together.
Your right on your next point.
cheers 00.46
you seem to be quite knowledgeble on all things darts.
are the two organisations going to unite? The BDO have got some good players - who done well at the grand slam - but the PDC is a lot stronger field, eh?
Thanks, Joe
Could be on the card's Joe
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/darts/8370290.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/darts/8370290.stm
Sorry Joe that link doesn't seem to work try this one.
Neither link work's Joe but if you go on the bbc sport website and type Barry Hearn in the search box you will see he's trying to buy the BDO.
The qualifier's are being shown on 110 sport this weekend, Saturday till Monday free if your registed with 110 sport. :)
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