Why I won't be supporting Team Sky
buspassman
Posts: 35
Amidst all the excitement surrounding the setting up of Team Sky (as well
as their sponsorship of British Cycling) can I be permitted to put a
different point of view?
I'm sure everyone knows and understands that sponsors are ultimately in
the business of sponsorship in order to raise their profile, and hence
their profits. I'm equally sure that most people would realise that Sky
have been tempted in to cycling so that some of the shine generated by the
phenomenal success of our cyclists can rub off on them. Be in no doubt
that if they thought it would best suit their business, they could equally
be putting their money into a campaign, for instance, to have cyclists
driven from the roads.
Unfortunately, Sky, and the Murdoch family which controls it, are not like
other businesses. They want something more. Power. This country has,
arguably, only one world class organisation left that is liked and
respected throughout the world, and that is the BBC. It is Sky's avowed
aim to lobby for, and ultimately bring about, the total destruction of the
BBC as we know it. If they get their way, the BBC will be reduced to a
rump making only those programmes that Sky can't make money from
themselves - in other words, they want to remove the BBC as a force of
competition, leaving the field clear for Sky to clean up.
There is more. It now no secret that Sky are lobbying hard to remove the
requirement of impartiality from broadcasters. We already have press that
are as partisan as in any country in the world (and redtops that are the
match of any in their drive to the lowest common denominator), balanced
out (for the moment) by this requirement of impartiality in the broadcast
media. If Sky get their way, we would see the emergence of broadcasters
who would operate as Fox News does in the USA, pouring forth bigoted bile
and half-truths masquerading as "news", with all the consequences this
would have for public life and democracy.
So I'm afraid that I won't be cheering on Team Sky, even if "our boys (and
girls)" are racing for them. I suspect that there are many more of you out
there who feel as I do, so if you are tempted by the thought of, for
instance, a Sky Ride, consider the small contribution you will be making
to burnishing the image of an organisation that is having such a baleful
influence on the public life of this country. And just be grateful that
you are not an aspiring young cyclist faced with the choice of either
swallowing your principles in the British Cycling system, or in all
probability having no hope of competing for your country.
as their sponsorship of British Cycling) can I be permitted to put a
different point of view?
I'm sure everyone knows and understands that sponsors are ultimately in
the business of sponsorship in order to raise their profile, and hence
their profits. I'm equally sure that most people would realise that Sky
have been tempted in to cycling so that some of the shine generated by the
phenomenal success of our cyclists can rub off on them. Be in no doubt
that if they thought it would best suit their business, they could equally
be putting their money into a campaign, for instance, to have cyclists
driven from the roads.
Unfortunately, Sky, and the Murdoch family which controls it, are not like
other businesses. They want something more. Power. This country has,
arguably, only one world class organisation left that is liked and
respected throughout the world, and that is the BBC. It is Sky's avowed
aim to lobby for, and ultimately bring about, the total destruction of the
BBC as we know it. If they get their way, the BBC will be reduced to a
rump making only those programmes that Sky can't make money from
themselves - in other words, they want to remove the BBC as a force of
competition, leaving the field clear for Sky to clean up.
There is more. It now no secret that Sky are lobbying hard to remove the
requirement of impartiality from broadcasters. We already have press that
are as partisan as in any country in the world (and redtops that are the
match of any in their drive to the lowest common denominator), balanced
out (for the moment) by this requirement of impartiality in the broadcast
media. If Sky get their way, we would see the emergence of broadcasters
who would operate as Fox News does in the USA, pouring forth bigoted bile
and half-truths masquerading as "news", with all the consequences this
would have for public life and democracy.
So I'm afraid that I won't be cheering on Team Sky, even if "our boys (and
girls)" are racing for them. I suspect that there are many more of you out
there who feel as I do, so if you are tempted by the thought of, for
instance, a Sky Ride, consider the small contribution you will be making
to burnishing the image of an organisation that is having such a baleful
influence on the public life of this country. And just be grateful that
you are not an aspiring young cyclist faced with the choice of either
swallowing your principles in the British Cycling system, or in all
probability having no hope of competing for your country.
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Comments
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:roll:
Do you live in Tunbridge Wells?0 -
buspassman wrote:Amidst all the excitement surrounding the setting up of Team Sky (as well
as their sponsorship of British Cycling) can I be permitted to put a
different point of view?
Unfortunately, Sky, and the Murdoch family which controls it, are not like
other businesses. They want something more. Power. This country has,
arguably, only one world class organisation left that is liked and
respected throughout the world, and that is the BBC. It is Sky's avowed
aim to lobby for, and ultimately bring about, the total destruction of the
BBC as we know it. If they get their way, the BBC will be reduced to a
rump making only those programmes that Sky can't make money from
themselves - in other words, they want to remove the BBC as a force of
competition, leaving the field clear for Sky to clean up.
There is more. It now no secret that Sky are lobbying hard to remove the
requirement of impartiality from broadcasters. We already have press that
are as partisan as in any country in the world (and redtops that are the
match of any in their drive to the lowest common denominator), balanced
out (for the moment) by this requirement of impartiality in the broadcast
media. If Sky get their way, we would see the emergence of broadcasters
who would operate as Fox News does in the USA, pouring forth bigoted bile
and half-truths masquerading as "news", with all the consequences this
would have for public life and democracy.
And just be grateful that
you are not an aspiring young cyclist faced with the choice of either
swallowing your principles in the British Cycling system, or in all
probability having no hope of competing for your country.
Split out the bits I'd like to respond to..
Firstly, The BBC is not, sadly, a world class institution anymore. It is a timorous news organisation, a muddle over what sort of output it wants to make and for who and slashing budgets from decent, challenging programming to fund Celebrity Dog School and Strictly Come Dancing. It also dredges up revenue from sale of merchandise, publications, franchising of shows etc. It is not the altrustic organisation you make it out to be. The only difference, in reality, between it and Sky is that people have a choice whether to pay for Sky or not.
Secondly, "No secret Sky are lobbying to have the requirement for impartiality removed from broadcasters" Evidence please. As for Murdoch's evil hand News InternTional no longer holds a controlling stake in Sky and Murdoch regards Fox News as an embarrassment, not what he envisaged at all. On establishing Sky news way back when Adam Boulton was quoted as saying to Murdoch that a biased organisation, a propoganda exercise wouldn't work and he wanted no part of it. Evil old Rupe agreed.
Finally, aren't you assuming that every young cyclist shares your views on the matter? isn't that a bit of a stretch? Many of them will not give two hoots where the money is coming from, they get to follow their dream and be given every chance of success. Some will have a different take on it to you or I and some may well agree with you, but then i disagree with my boss ona good number of things and I still sleep at night."In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"
@gietvangent0 -
I won't be supporting Sky because I'm not a particular fan of anyone who rides for them.
Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.0 -
buspassman wrote:Amidst all the excitement surrounding the setting up of Team Sky (as well
as their sponsorship of British Cycling) can I be permitted to put a
different point of view?
I'm sure everyone knows and understands that sponsors are ultimately in
the business of sponsorship in order to raise their profile, and hence
their profits. I'm equally sure that most people would realise that Sky
have been tempted in to cycling so that some of the shine generated by the
phenomenal success of our cyclists can rub off on them. Be in no doubt
that if they thought it would best suit their business, they could equally
be putting their money into a campaign, for instance, to have cyclists
driven from the roads.
Unfortunately, Sky, and the Murdoch family which controls it, are not like
other businesses. They want something more. Power. This country has,
arguably, only one world class organisation left that is liked and
respected throughout the world, and that is the BBC. It is Sky's avowed
aim to lobby for, and ultimately bring about, the total destruction of the
BBC as we know it. If they get their way, the BBC will be reduced to a
rump making only those programmes that Sky can't make money from
themselves - in other words, they want to remove the BBC as a force of
competition, leaving the field clear for Sky to clean up.
There is more. It now no secret that Sky are lobbying hard to remove the
requirement of impartiality from broadcasters. We already have press that
are as partisan as in any country in the world (and redtops that are the
match of any in their drive to the lowest common denominator), balanced
out (for the moment) by this requirement of impartiality in the broadcast
media. If Sky get their way, we would see the emergence of broadcasters
who would operate as Fox News does in the USA, pouring forth bigoted bile
and half-truths masquerading as "news", with all the consequences this
would have for public life and democracy.
So I'm afraid that I won't be cheering on Team Sky, even if "our boys (and
girls)" are racing for them. I suspect that there are many more of you out
there who feel as I do, so if you are tempted by the thought of, for
instance, a Sky Ride, consider the small contribution you will be making
to burnishing the image of an organisation that is having such a baleful
influence on the public life of this country. And just be grateful that
you are not an aspiring young cyclist faced with the choice of either
swallowing your principles in the British Cycling system, or in all
probability having no hope of competing for your country.
Just wonder......do you have Sky?0 -
I'm confused. Is this far-left wing or far-right wing insane rambling?0
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Pokerface wrote:I'm confused. Is this far-left or far-right insane rambling?
To be fair, there's a grey area around the crazier end of the spectrum... Some overlap."In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"
@gietvangent0 -
I'm convinced by the arguments. I'll now be supporting Katusha in 2010.0
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looks like rain
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The money they are putting in to the team is peanuts for them; Sky are more concerned about their goal of getting 1 million more people riding their bikes by 2013. Believe what you like but they aren't so concerned about results from their pro team, it's the mass participation they really want to work. I was told this by someone close to the Sky management, obviously they won't want the money going to the team to be wasted and will make sure they get value but it is of secondary importance to them.0
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i won't be supporting:
Agritubel/Milram because beef/dairy farming is killing the planet.
Caisse de pargne/Saxo Bank/ Ag2R/Rabobank because of the mess the finanicial industry got us into.
Francaise Des Jeux/Silence Lotto because the lottery is a tax on the poor.
Garmin because what is wrong with paper maps.
Lquigas becasue i am sure there is something wrong with using up the worlds natural resources/ carbon fuels etc.
Euskaltel/ Bouygoes/HTC because my phone bills are to high.
I might be left supporting the team run by those men of integrity, the hard working business men of Kazakstan.
Come on Astana0 -
Rodrego Hernandez wrote:.... Sky are more concerned about their goal of getting 1 million more people riding their bikes by 2013....
If that's their goal that's an expensive way to get people to ride their bikes. If they are paying 20 or so people a few million it soon adds up!!!
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Rodrego Hernandez wrote:The money they are putting in to the team is peanuts for them; Sky are more concerned about their goal of getting 1 million more people riding their bikes by 2013. Believe what you like but they aren't so concerned about results from their pro team, it's the mass participation they really want to work.
Curious - Why on earth would they be interested in getting more people cycling?Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.0 -
buspassman wrote:I'm equally sure that most people would realise that Sky
have been tempted in to cycling so that some of the shine generated by the
phenomenal success of our cyclists can rub off on them.
No sh*t sherlock. There was me thinking sponsorship was purely altruistic and had no commercial benefit whatsoever.
Next year I will be supporting Sky precisely because they've been prepared to pump a load of dosh into supporting cycling from grass roots level up to the pro team.
and I'm much more worried about Simon Cowell's plans for world domination than Rupert Murdoch's as I can't take much more of JEdward...0 -
buspassman wrote:
Unfortunately, Sky, and the Murdoch family which controls it, are not like
other businesses. They want something more. Power. This country has,
arguably, only one world class organisation left that is liked and
respected throughout the world, and that is the BBC. It is Sky's avowed
aim to lobby for, and ultimately bring about, the total destruction of the
BBC as we know it. If they get their way, the BBC will be reduced to a
rump making only those programmes that Sky can't make money from
themselves - in other words, they want to remove the BBC as a force of
competition, leaving the field clear for Sky to clean up.
There is more. It now no secret that Sky are lobbying hard to remove the
requirement of impartiality from broadcasters. We already have press that
are as partisan as in any country in the world (and redtops that are the
match of any in their drive to the lowest common denominator), balanced
out (for the moment) by this requirement of impartiality in the broadcast
media. If Sky get their way, we would see the emergence of broadcasters
who would operate as Fox News does in the USA, pouring forth bigoted bile
and half-truths masquerading as "news", with all the consequences this
would have for public life and democracy.
.
On the other hand they broadcast The Simpsons, so it all evens out really.Twitter: @RichN950 -
The BBC's commercial/profit-making arm is a separate entity. And yes, it makes Strictly, because its remit doesn't just cover worthy or educational programming, but entertainment as well. I doubt many people would argue with your lament that it doesn't make as many good programmes as it used to (insert your own definition of "good" here) but it's hardly a cultural wasteland. Without it this media in the country would make Sky look like the best of an appalling bunch.0
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I won't be supporting Team Sky because:
A. They haven't shown us their kit yet
B. I still don't know who is riding for them
C. They have no website
D. I hate Pinarello0 -
It's still about one hundred times funnier than any ITV 'comedy'.0
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For disgruntledgoat:
http://www.spinwatch.org/-articles-by-c ... -the-limit
and
http://www.spinwatch.org.uk/latest-news ... format=pdf
It's a little old but the evidence is there.
See also James Murdoch's MacTaggart speech
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-New ... 0686?f=rss
full text here: http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/M ... ecture.pdf
On a slightly tangential note: http://www.brandrepublic.com/Discipline ... -lobbying/0 -
Pokerface wrote:I won't be supporting Team Sky because:
A. They haven't shown us their kit yet - Their kit is like their vans with Bart Simpson on the Front and Homer on the back.0 -
I like Sky. I think it's good 0
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The BBC is generally crap apart from 6Music and Radio 4. Junk the rest of it and pay a license fee of £10; instead we put people in gaol for refusing to pay for Jonathon Ross's ludircrous salary demands.+++++++++++++++++++++
we are the proud, the few, Descendents.
Panama - finally putting a nail in the economic theory of the trickle down effect.0 -
To the OP, I think you look too deeply into things.It’s the most beautiful sport in the world but it’s governed by ***ts who have turned it into a crock of ****.0
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Percy Vera wrote:Pokerface wrote:I won't be supporting Team Sky because:
A. They haven't shown us their kit yet - Their kit is like their vans with Bart Simpson on the Front and Homer on the back.
I've seen the proofs, and quite like it (if they stick with it). Almost a retro look with a fairly plain design, horizontal panel across the chest with Sky on. Black, pale blue and white colour scheme, with a mainly white version that they will no doubt use come the TDF. Blue used as an accent colour on the collar and back. None of that god awful spiral graphic that the team Sky HD track team have to wear.0 -
Slow1972 wrote:Percy Vera wrote:Pokerface wrote:I won't be supporting Team Sky because:
A. They haven't shown us their kit yet - Their kit is like their vans with Bart Simpson on the Front and Homer on the back.
I've seen the proofs, and quite like it (if they stick with it). Almost a retro look with a fairly plain design, horizontal panel across the chest with Sky on. Black, pale blue and white colour scheme, with a mainly white version that they will no doubt use come the TDF. Blue used as an accent colour on the collar and back. None of that god awful spiral graphic that the team Sky HD track team have to wear.
I quite like the Sky HD track kit with the spirals0 -
If you believe in something passionately buspassman, you stand up for it!
You can always change your mind later!0 -
Each to their own
You may find the new Sky road team kit a bit boring by comparison then 0
