I really don't follow that line of reasoning that seemingly ends with getting kids interested in the game as a whole. Is it a belief that primary school aged kids are only interested in things being hit really hard and far, nothing else?
I agree, if it's just about introducing kids to cricket via telly the same effect could be achieved by doing a deal with a terrestrial TV station to show England Test matches. Clearly it wouldn't bag the ECB as much money as hopping into bed with Sky, but how much are they now spending on inventing, marketing and staging yet another new format? It's completely unnecessary and even if it's a roaring success with audiences it's not going to help England produce any more Test cricketers. Maybe they really don't care about that.
Quote from: Chinchilla Bathhouse on October 04, 2019, 11:02:50 AMI agree, if it's just about introducing kids to cricket via telly the same effect could be achieved by doing a deal with a terrestrial TV station to show England Test matches. Clearly it wouldn't bag the ECB as much money as hopping into bed with Sky, but how much are they now spending on inventing, marketing and staging yet another new format? It's completely unnecessary and even if it's a roaring success with audiences it's not going to help England produce any more Test cricketers. Maybe they really don't care about that.Test matches are played to a large extent during school term time and will largely only appeal to the already converted due to it taking 5 days. This is hoped to be the entry level drug for those new to the experience which might get more people playing and watching and then hooked on Class A Test Cricket as they get older.As I said I am not altogether convinced it will work but if it does then that’s the justification.
I understand what they’re trying today but I don’t understand why it needed to be a new format that won’t be in use anywhere else. They could have added another T20 competition.
Quote from: UK Redsox on October 04, 2019, 05:00:19 PMI understand what they’re trying today but I don’t understand why it needed to be a new format that won’t be in use anywhere else. They could have added another T20 competition.This is what I don't understand. Introduce a new competition perhaps, but a whole new format? It just smacks of a big marketing gimmick. Is Sky really offering so much money for live England cricket that it's cheaper for the ECB to invent a whole new game than just go with a lesser deal from a terrestrial broadcaster? Presumably so. Which is bonkers.And while I get the idea of these shorter formats being a gateway to the long game, I haven't seen much evidence that it works. Anyway, like many people I got hooked on cricket watching County Championship matches featuring people like Norman Gifford, so I don't buy this idea that kids need sport to be glamorous. Any live sport seen close up can be enough to ignite a spark of interest.
Quote from: Chinchilla Bathhouse on October 04, 2019, 05:26:13 PMQuote from: UK Redsox on October 04, 2019, 05:00:19 PMI understand what they’re trying today but I don’t understand why it needed to be a new format that won’t be in use anywhere else. They could have added another T20 competition.This is what I don't understand. Introduce a new competition perhaps, but a whole new format? It just smacks of a big marketing gimmick. Is Sky really offering so much money for live England cricket that it's cheaper for the ECB to invent a whole new game than just go with a lesser deal from a terrestrial broadcaster? Presumably so. Which is bonkers.And while I get the idea of these shorter formats being a gateway to the long game, I haven't seen much evidence that it works. Anyway, like many people I got hooked on cricket watching County Championship matches featuring people like Norman Gifford, so I don't buy this idea that kids need sport to be glamorous. Any live sport seen close up can be enough to ignite a spark of interest. Weren't you easily pleased?!!