Category: Sport;
West
TV; South
West TV; W.Midlands
TV; Radio
Bristol; Radio
Gloucestershire
Date: 12.01.2005
Printable version
Excitement is building for the Powergen Cup quarter-final clash between
Gloucester and Bristol on Saturday 22 January, as the underdogs Bristol
challenge the Premiership side for a place in the semi-finals.
The crucial match is certain to be a sell-out but there's great news
for BBC viewers as they'll now be able to enjoy all the excitement and
action of the game from the comfort of their own homes.
Grandstand announced today that BBC ONE West, South West and West Midlands
will be broadcasting the game live in a special opt-out of the main
Grandstand programme.
The opt-out can also be seen by viewers outside these regions on digital
satellite.
No other games have been shown before as opt-outs of Grandstand, BBC
ONE's key sporting programme.
BBC Head of Local and Regional Programming for the West, Andrew Wilson,
explains the decision: "The BBC in the West is as mad about celebrating
local sporting achievement as the fans.
"The clash between Gloucester and Bristol is of huge significance
in this region and we couldn't resist bringing the excitement of the
big occasion to tens of thousands of fans who can't get tickets.
"It's great that this match will also be available to every viewer
across the country on digital satellite.
"It's a perfect example of the BBC's determination to offer as
much choice as possible," he says.
The BBC West team will provide full match commentary, build-up and
analysis of the game.
Points West's David Passmore will be presenting the
programme with commentary from Andrew Cotter and former
Bath and England Captain Phil de Glanville.
Charles Runcie, BBC Head of Sport for the English Regions, comments:
"Given the huge local interest, the BBC is delighted to be able to bring
this special match to viewers in three English regions.
"The BBC always aims to reflect the diversity of sport in our
regions across all its services, and this proves it."
Listeners will also be able to tune into the match on BBC Radio Bristol
and BBC Radio Gloucester or listen online at bbc.co.uk/bristol or bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire.
Gloucester v Bristol, BBC ONE West, South West and West Midlands,
Saturday 22 January. Coverage starts at 2.30pm, KO 2.45pm.
