<soapbox alert>
I find it quite unacceptable that a national sport is not available to the populous. I think the English FA should really think about their motivation for the sport - money, or popularity of the sport. It is the Ukraine FA selling the rights, but I think the English FA is duty bound to ensure that the game is available to the public. Admittedly a reasonable argument is that the internet is the most public medium to transmit on. However, I feel that the internet is currently an unreasonable medium to include in the bidding process for a public sporting event for one reason - mass transmission of the bandwidth required to be clear in a big screen on all pubs is very costly at the moment.
As I have been typing this I have been trying to think of reasonable solutions. In short there are none, but one must be thought up. For a nation (as well as other nations) the UK is not prepared for internet only transmissions of live events. The infrastructure is not there technologically or culturally.
And finally, as I am dragged from my soap box, if you think this does not effect you, think again. What live events do you watch? Live events are transmitted by the highest bidder, or in the event of no competition, the guy with a server, a monkey, and an internet connection in the basement of his nan's house. Demand accessibility and quality together.
</soapbox alert>
Tell you what, this beer tastes a bit nice.
:drink: :drunk: :
