I was genuinely surprised today, to learn that the rally once known as the RAC Rally, had been run this weekend. Now I’m not an especially big rallying fan, but since it became “WRC” branded, it seems that it’s becoming harder for the passive fan to see.
Once upon a time it ran for the better part of a week, and the BBC would have lots of coverage on a nightly basis with round-ups of the day’s action etc. Then there was a “big money” transfer to Channel 4 where rallying fans could catch action as long as they remember to get up early or stay up late.
More recently, the coverage has moved to ITV – and ITV4 in particular. I didn’t spot any coverage at all over the weekend, so I’ve just rifled through this week’s Radio Times to see where it had all gone, and all I could find was a solitary programme on ITV4 at 6.40pm on Sunday evening reprising the whole weekend’s action. Earlier in the day I could have watched, not live coverage, but “WRC: Greatest Stages” and “WRC: Craziest Moments” which were no doubt thrilling, but not really the same. I’m sure I used to see some live “special stages” action on a Sunday afternoon. And didn’t they used to be on Fridays too?
According the WRC website:
“…in recent years, the World Rally Championship has undergone a revolution. Thanks to technological improvements in TV and network coverage, the sport is raising its profile and is attracting the attention of a greater dedicated worldwide audience.”
Well they’ve certainly done a good job in Britain. One hour and ten minute’s coverage on ITV4. Hmm.
I know that rallying is not a perfect TV sport – it’s technically complicated to film and edit, even with digital advances. But it seems to me that there was better coverage in the UK at least, in the 90s than there is today. And that’s got to be hurting the sport.