GREYHOUNDS: Bord chiefs deny TV show facing final curtain
Bord na gCon recently decided to take the weekly 'Greyhound View' show off the air.
However, they must continue to pay the production firm even when it is not on our TV sets.
It has hardly screened to universally rave reviews. In fact, doggy regulars found it to be an adequate diary of what was happening in the sport - and no more.
The greatest drawback was that it was making no major impact outside the immediate circle of devotees and was not exciting outsiders sufficiently for them 'to go to the dogs'.
Production of the programme, which began in 2001, was in the hands of Bluesilk Productions in Kilcullen, Co Kildare.
By all accounts, it has been a hugely expensive exercise for Bord na gCon. The Board accept that they fund the production of 'Greyhound View' totally themselves. However, they have always been coy regarding the cost. Five years ago, it was believed that the production was setting the Board back up to ?10,000 per week.
The semi-State body were never prepared to talk figures and, in response to our most recent query, say: "The cost of production involved a competitive tender where the actual costs submitted are considered price sensitive."
Bord na gCon are at pains to also point out that a decision not to fund further programmes in the immediate future does not signify that the axe has fallen.
Over to Bord na gCon again: "The programme is not ceasing production; it is merely taking a four-month break for the quieter part of the racing year (November, December, January and February). 'Greyhound View' will return in March 2007."
Much of the criticism of the programme relates to the format which can consist of largely showing clips (of varying quality) from the country's tracks and interviews with a small coterie of trainers and officials.
* RTE coverage of greyhound racing in 2007 has not yet been decided. In 2005, RTE covered four fixtures - the Sporting Press Irish Oaks, Paddy Power Irish Derby, the Boylesports Champion Stakes and the Ladbrokes 600. This year saw the Oaks dropped from the agenda.
- John Martin
