Badminton Horse Trials is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. Every year, the event draws thousands of spectators from around the globe who come to watch the top riders and horses in the sport compete for the coveted title. Despite its popularity, the event has been absent from the BBC’s coverage for the past few years. So, why is Badminton Horse Trials not on BBC?
The Competition’s Format
Badminton Horse Trials is a three-day event that combines dressage, show jumping and cross-country courses in a competition to determine the best horse-and-rider combination. It is a technically challenging event that requires a great deal of skill and athleticism from both horse and rider. The event is usually broadcast on the BBC, but it has been absent from their coverage in recent years.
The BBC’s Changed Priorities
One of the major reasons why Badminton Horse Trials has been absent from the BBC’s coverage is due to changing priorities. In recent years, the BBC has shifted its focus away from traditional sports such as equestrian events and towards other sports like football and cricket. This has resulted in less coverage for events like Badminton Horse Trials, which have traditionally been popular with British viewers.
The Cost of Coverage
Another factor that has contributed to Badminton Horse Trials being absent from BBC coverage is the cost of broadcasting the event. The BBC is a publicly funded organisation that has to be mindful of its budget and ensure that it is spending its money wisely. As such, it has chosen to focus its resources on other sports that are more popular and more cost-effective to cover.
The Move to Sky
As a result of the BBC’s changed priorities, the Badminton Horse Trials was moved to Sky Sports in 2016. Sky Sports is a subscription-based channel that is available to viewers who pay a monthly fee. This has meant that those who wish to watch the event will have to pay an extra fee in order to do so. This has been a controversial decision and has been met with criticism from some viewers, who feel that the event should be available for free on the BBC.
Conclusion
Badminton Horse Trials is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world, but it has been absent from the BBC’s coverage for the past few years. This is due to a combination of factors, including the BBC’s changed priorities, the cost of coverage and the move to Sky Sports. While this has been a controversial decision, it is important to remember that the BBC is a publicly funded organisation and must be mindful of its budget.