news story

4th April 2008

MP Welcomes 'Victory' Over Local Football Coverage

The BBC have backed down in a row over local football coverage following a campaign by fans and Northavon MP Steve Webb. In the past, BBC Radio Bristol has provided radio commentary of the away matches of the local teams, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Yeovil.

But in a cost-cutting measure the station outraged fans earlier in the year by broadcasting only a Yeovil away game and not a Rovers game being played at the same time. In the past the station has split its two frequencies so that Somerset listeners could tune to the Yeovil game and Bristol listeners to a City or Rovers match.

Outraged fans lobbied the station and Northavon MP took the issue up with BBC Director General Mark Thompson.

The MP has now received a reply from the Director General saying:

"...BBC Radio Bristol has now confirmed that it will provide live coverage of the away games of all three teams in the region, until the end of the current football season. BBC Radio Bristol will then have discussions with the football clubs about the best way to provide commentaries for next season".

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

"This may not seem like a big issue to some, but I know that many fans were very angry when they couldn't hear commentary on their team's away fixtures.

"Local radio is something that people very much value as part of what the licence fee funds, and they were understandably unhappy when the service was cut. I am pleased that the BBC has been responsive and has listened to the concerns of local people over this issue".