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« Another World Cup winner bows out | | England's foreign legion » May 27, 2011 Posted on 05/27/2011 ESPN can take a bow Awards season is in full swing with the likes of Northampton's Tom Wood and Leicester's Thomas Waldrom already honoured while we have also dished out our own accolades in a recent Scrum Seven. And in fear of being labelled a sycophant, I'd like to add ESPN's Premiership coverage to those worthy of praise. Moving in on Sky Sports' turf was never going to be easy for the broadcaster such has been there rivals' success at developing the sport's audience in the past 10 years. But the familiar ex-Sky Sports front man Mark Durden-Smith, former Leicester and England 'experts' Austin Healey and Ben Kay, long-time BBC commentator Nick Mullins and one-time S4C pitchside reporter Sarra Elgan came together to offer a fresh and engaging look at English rugby's top flight. ESPN's arrival on the TV market, and specifically the English rugby scene, also demanded that Sky Sports review their own approach to their coverage with fans and Premiership Rugby the benefactors. The end result was a 15% increase in audience figures (for ESPN, Sky Sports and domestic partner ITV) according to a Premiership Rugby press release from earlier this week. One of ESPN's strengths is that it did not take itself too seriously be it Durden-Smith's experiment with spray glue or the school-boy banter between Healey and Kay (see highlights reel above and how did Austin's encounter with Gloucester fans in The Shed warrant more coverage?). But at the same time they are well aware of the responsibility they have to nurture the the sport's audience which is where the coaching clinics, both on-air and in the community, have helped ESPN make their mark. And the season is not over yet of course. If you are not lucky enough to be going to the Premiership Final between Leicester and Saracens on Saturday, then ESPN is the only place you will be able to watch it - live and exclusive. Comments
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