2019 European Tour

[Rogg]

The multi-round format needs to die a death in anything other than the UK, Prem Finals and those shitty World Series things they do.

If it were possible to stretch out the European Championship and PC Finals into 7+ day events then I suspect it would be happening already. Multi-round formats squashed into long weekends are clearly practical and tick loads of boxes for the parties involved.

Players who struggle to navigate them are welcome to experiment and learn.

Move the Grand Slam to September, ditch the Champions League. Job done.

The Champions League itself is moving to September, as it goes. Anyway I have no problem with playing multiple rounds in a day.

So if you're the PDC chairman and the BBC offer you 16 hours of live coverage, what would you give them? Presumably you wouldn't tell them to get stuffed.

[Captain Hobo]

The multi-round format needs to die a death in anything other than the UK, Prem Finals and those shitty World Series things they do.

If it were possible to stretch out the European Championship and PC Finals into 7+ day events then I suspect it would be happening already. Multi-round formats squashed into long weekends are clearly practical and tick loads of boxes for the parties involved.

Players who struggle to navigate them are welcome to experiment and learn.

Move the Grand Slam to September, ditch the Champions League. Job done.

The Champions League itself is moving to September, as it goes. Anyway I have no problem with playing multiple rounds in a day.

So if you're the PDC chairman and the BBC offer you 16 hours of live coverage, what would you give them? Presumably you wouldn't tell them to get stuffed.

A ranking event.

Also, I don't think that because a tournament only has a certain amount of TV time, it must all be played in that time.

I'd love to see the PDC change one of these samey Short Tournaments to a longer format with the first couple of rounds streamed only, then the later rounds on TV.

[JH01]

The Champions League itself is moving to September, as it goes. Anyway I have no problem with playing multiple rounds in a day.

So if you're the PDC chairman and the BBC offer you 16 hours of live coverage, what would you give them? Presumably you wouldn't tell them to get stuffed.

Obviously I know Barry won't, but darts does not need the BBC. Not only does it not take the game seriously, but the PDC managed just fine without their coverage for years.

As for the multi-round days, it's ok if it's once or twice a year, but we see it in all but 3 TV tournaments. Some of the semis and finals of these tournaments have been pitiful. Also for me the Euros, PC Finals and other such tournaments feel quite rushed and not very special. When the semis are over, you've got the final straight away. And they're all best of 21, quite a short format for a supposed major final. You've got the Grand Slam that kind of meets you halfway, but I still feel that there needs to be more tournaments in the mould of the Worlds, Matchplay and Grand Prix.

[SolidSCB]

They are all cookie cutter. I'm fed up of watching the same guys play best of 21, multiple round per day events every couple of weeks. There's so much they could do to freshen it up, short course setplay like the World Masters is an immediate one.

I always say that the best days where when you had the Worlds, the Premier League, UK Open, Desert Classic, Matchplay and WGP, and later on the meaningful version of the Grand Slam. Every single one of those tournaments had its own unique identity and feel. None of these ones they plaster on ITV are special in the slightest. You could swap one with the other and I swear to god I wouldn't even notice.

[Safc]

I personally dont like the masters,champions league and WSOD Finals I do think if they removed them 3 u could make the euro champs and pcf week long events

[The Thorn]

The Masters is pointless indeed. WSOD Finals should be a good event but the invites are a bit ridiculous sometimes, like they were this year.

[Rogg]

The multi-round format needs to die a death in anything other than the UK, Prem Finals and those shitty World Series things they do.

If it were possible to stretch out the European Championship and PC Finals into 7+ day events then I suspect it would be happening already. Multi-round formats squashed into long weekends are clearly practical and tick loads of boxes for the parties involved.

Players who struggle to navigate them are welcome to experiment and learn.

Move the Grand Slam to September, ditch the Champions League. Job done.

The Champions League itself is moving to September, as it goes. Anyway I have no problem with playing multiple rounds in a day.

So if you're the PDC chairman and the BBC offer you 16 hours of live coverage, what would you give them? Presumably you wouldn't tell them to get stuffed.

A ranking event.

Also, I don't think that because a tournament only has a certain amount of TV time, it must all be played in that time.

I'd love to see the PDC change one of these samey Short Tournaments to a longer format with the first couple of rounds streamed only, then the later rounds on TV.

I could be wrong but I can't imagine the BBC would want to get involved in anything so advanced. I agree it's a shame that the few hours they offer up can't be used more creatively but I sort of imagine they are always the width of a hair away from binning darts completely and that a self-contained, special needs event for the elite is who they are. Peak audiences of a million or whatever and it's job done.

Hardcore fans can look elsewhere for their kicks and I think that's perfectly reasonable. The hardcore fans of darts are extremely bad at doing that though. Extremely bad at calmly choosing not to watch something.

[The Thorn]

If it were possible to stretch out the European Championship and PC Finals into 7+ day events then I suspect it would be happening already. Multi-round formats squashed into long weekends are clearly practical and tick loads of boxes for the parties involved.

Players who struggle to navigate them are welcome to experiment and learn.

Move the Grand Slam to September, ditch the Champions League. Job done.

The Champions League itself is moving to September, as it goes. Anyway I have no problem with playing multiple rounds in a day.

So if you're the PDC chairman and the BBC offer you 16 hours of live coverage, what would you give them? Presumably you wouldn't tell them to get stuffed.

A ranking event.

Also, I don't think that because a tournament only has a certain amount of TV time, it must all be played in that time.

I'd love to see the PDC change one of these samey Short Tournaments to a longer format with the first couple of rounds streamed only, then the later rounds on TV.

I could be wrong but I can't imagine the BBC would want to get involved in anything so advanced. I agree it's a shame that the few hours they offer up can't be used more creatively but I sort of imagine they are always the width of a hair away from binning darts completely and that a self-contained, special needs event for the elite is who they are. Peak audiences of a million or whatever and it's job done.

Hardcore fans can look elsewhere for their kicks and I think that's perfectly reasonable. The hardcore fans of darts are extremely bad at doing that though. Extremely bad at calmly choosing not to watch something.

You're as relentless as always. However, if there's no real possibility of the BBC coverage ultimately expanding (even if it's just one 3-4 day ranking event), then what's the point of it all? I won't watch events I don't care about, but when they take up half of the calendar, you have to look at some of them and ask, why does this event exist in the first place? Especially if it leads to nowhere, if the BBC doesn't want more?

[Rogg]

The Champions League itself is moving to September, as it goes. Anyway I have no problem with playing multiple rounds in a day.

So if you're the PDC chairman and the BBC offer you 16 hours of live coverage, what would you give them? Presumably you wouldn't tell them to get stuffed.

Obviously I know Barry won't, but darts does not need the BBC. Not only does it not take the game seriously, but the PDC managed just fine without their coverage for years.

As for the multi-round days, it's ok if it's once or twice a year, but we see it in all but 3 TV tournaments. Some of the semis and finals of these tournaments have been pitiful. Also for me the Euros, PC Finals and other such tournaments feel quite rushed and not very special. When the semis are over, you've got the final straight away. And they're all best of 21, quite a short format for a supposed major final. You've got the Grand Slam that kind of meets you halfway, but I still feel that there needs to be more tournaments in the mould of the Worlds, Matchplay and Grand Prix.

That we have as many as four tournaments shown live for 7-17(?) days each is kind of great. Is it not?

I know you're not saying it's easy but you kind of make it sound easy to design these things, like multiple extra sessions could be added to anything if only the idea occurred to the PDC.

When's the last time a terrestrial/freeview tv channel in the uk showed in full a darts tournament that lasted more than 3 or 4 days? That answer must suggest something from the broadcasters' perspective. Of course it would be fantastic to have a fully fattened major darts event on free tv.

[Rogg]

Move the Grand Slam to September, ditch the Champions League. Job done.

The Champions League itself is moving to September, as it goes. Anyway I have no problem with playing multiple rounds in a day.

So if you're the PDC chairman and the BBC offer you 16 hours of live coverage, what would you give them? Presumably you wouldn't tell them to get stuffed.

A ranking event.

Also, I don't think that because a tournament only has a certain amount of TV time, it must all be played in that time.

I'd love to see the PDC change one of these samey Short Tournaments to a longer format with the first couple of rounds streamed only, then the later rounds on TV.

I could be wrong but I can't imagine the BBC would want to get involved in anything so advanced. I agree it's a shame that the few hours they offer up can't be used more creatively but I sort of imagine they are always the width of a hair away from binning darts completely and that a self-contained, special needs event for the elite is who they are. Peak audiences of a million or whatever and it's job done.

Hardcore fans can look elsewhere for their kicks and I think that's perfectly reasonable. The hardcore fans of darts are extremely bad at doing that though. Extremely bad at calmly choosing not to watch something.

You're as relentless as always. However, if there's no real possibility of the BBC coverage ultimately expanding (even if it's just one 3-4 day ranking event), then what's the point of it all? I won't watch events I don't care about, but when they take up half of the calendar, you have to look at some of them and ask, why does this event exist in the first place? Especially if it leads to nowhere, if the BBC doesn't want more?

What's the point of it all? Well, it's its own point. It's already led there. It's professional darts live on the BBC. It's no more BDO shite to upset granny when she's finishing off the Christmas chocolates.

Are you saying you'd prefer the BBC to show no darts at all rather than this particular tournament? That's probably what will happen eventually.

[The Thorn]

Only if there was another event to replace it. But I'm not sure that an event being better than nothing at all, is a reason to keep it. As of now, it's a filler event with awful production and little point. If they looked at eventually expanding it, I'd welcome that, but that's not too likely.

[Safc]

Only if there was another event to replace it. But I'm not sure that an event being better than nothing at all, is a reason to keep it. As of now, it's a filler event with awful production and little point. If they looked at eventually expanding it, I'd welcome that, but that's not too likely.

Yep this

And if they expand it to top 16 it effectively is the Masters

[Rogg]

Only if there was another event to replace it. But I'm not sure that an event being better than nothing at all, is a reason to keep it. As of now, it's a filler event with awful production and little point. If they looked at eventually expanding it, I'd welcome that, but that's not too likely.

I think when the BBC is on board, 'better than nothing' is reason enough for keeping it. Looking at the viewing figures, this is possibly the only darts that many people ever notice. It must scoop up the attention of normal people and I think that shouldn't be taken lightly or for granted. And this year, having such a dramatic final on that platform has no negatives that I can think of.

The awful production obviously needs to corrected but that is possible to do. They ditch Vassos to the joy of all but then stop showing where the darts are landing. Inspired.

[JH01]

The Champions League itself is moving to September, as it goes. Anyway I have no problem with playing multiple rounds in a day.

So if you're the PDC chairman and the BBC offer you 16 hours of live coverage, what would you give them? Presumably you wouldn't tell them to get stuffed.

Obviously I know Barry won't, but darts does not need the BBC. Not only does it not take the game seriously, but the PDC managed just fine without their coverage for years.

As for the multi-round days, it's ok if it's once or twice a year, but we see it in all but 3 TV tournaments. Some of the semis and finals of these tournaments have been pitiful. Also for me the Euros, PC Finals and other such tournaments feel quite rushed and not very special. When the semis are over, you've got the final straight away. And they're all best of 21, quite a short format for a supposed major final. You've got the Grand Slam that kind of meets you halfway, but I still feel that there needs to be more tournaments in the mould of the Worlds, Matchplay and Grand Prix.

That we have as many as four tournaments shown live for 7-17(?) days each is kind of great. Is it not?

I know you're not saying it's easy but you kind of make it sound easy to design these things, like multiple extra sessions could be added to anything if only the idea occurred to the PDC.

When's the last time a terrestrial/freeview tv channel in the uk showed in full a darts tournament that lasted more than 3 or 4 days? That answer must suggest something from the broadcasters' perspective. Of course it would be fantastic to have a fully fattened major darts event on free tv.

Makes no odds to me if it's on BBC, ITV or Sky. Although, the BBC has the triple crown snooker tournaments each year, ranging in length from a week to 17 days. Now I know that snooker has a slightly bigger following than darts and is more... upmarket if you will, but if they are willing to broadcast 3 snooker tournaments of that length, I don't see a single, week long darts tournament being too much of a struggle.

Also with ITV, they have about 8 or 9 tournaments a year if you include the World Series events. If they are willing to broadcast that many tournaments, then I don't see the issue for them in ditching 3 or 4 for a single, week long tournament.

[Jimmi]

Genuine question: Why is Peter Wright not very well liked on here?

Because he is a perennial underachiever who loves to talk himself up only to disappoint. Also his clown car antics have gotten utterly insipid.

And personally i think his throwing style is wank to watch. Others have pet hates I'm sure too.

Still an underachiever?

[The Thorn]

Genuine question: Why is Peter Wright not very well liked on here?

Because he is a perennial underachiever who loves to talk himself up only to disappoint. Also his clown car antics have gotten utterly insipid.

And personally i think his throwing style is wank to watch. Others have pet hates I'm sure too.

Still an underachiever?

May not be but still boring and a cunt

[sennafan24]

Why is Jimmi bumping old threads?

Has Bob Ross hacked into his account?

[Emulsfier]

Genuine question: Why is Peter Wright not very well liked on here?

Because he is a perennial underachiever who loves to talk himself up only to disappoint. Also his clown car antics have gotten utterly insipid.

And personally i think his throwing style is wank to watch. Others have pet hates I'm sure too.

Still an underachiever?

Honoured you would dig a thread up for me.

I dont think one WC completely puts right 3-4 years of talking big and delivering squat. However i am confident he will win more and will end up with a very respectable haul indeed. Might even start this week.

[Jimmi]

Genuine question: Why is Peter Wright not very well liked on here?

Because he is a perennial underachiever who loves to talk himself up only to disappoint. Also his clown car antics have gotten utterly insipid.

And personally i think his throwing style is wank to watch. Others have pet hates I'm sure too.

Still an underachiever?

May not be but still boring and a cunt

He's neither of those two

[Jimmi]

Why is Jimmi bumping old threads?

Has Bob Ross hacked into his account?

Was just bored at work and was looking at a few of my first posts on here, haha.