Boat Race

[QuizmasterG]

Why is this boring non-event given so much air time?
It's bad enough that the race is nearly as exciting as watching paint dry - but the interminable build up!!
How much can you say about a load of men (and women) pratting about in boats?

[Mamyalynne]

I don't know how much you can say but we get threads on it most years - there was one last night.

[kvalidir]

About as much as you can say about a load of men kicking a bag of air about. Horses for courses really :)

[New Judge]

There was a similar question yesterday. All sports are tedious to those that don't like them. The reason the event is given so much air time is that a lot of people like it and it is a uniquely English event with a long history. Unfortunately it has moved from its original format where the crews were undergraduates who "pratted about in boats" as well as studying for their degree. (The Oxford crew yesterday had an average age of 27 and I think included four Americans). But it's still a popular event and it makes a change from football.

[gingejbee]

It may be a"boring non-event" to you...but to lots of people, it's a "must". Just about every sport covered on any channel has "interminable build-up". And, let's face it, the BBC has little enough sports coverage left...they have to make the most of what little they have!

[annieigma]

Totally boring, but if that wasn't on, it would probably be something else equally exciting like cycling or swimming, not really a viewers choice, but fills up a lot of very expensive air time at a low cost..

[brainiac]

Don't worry - wrestling's coming back to television!

[Cloverjo]

I was more bothered that the BBC didn't cover Johanna Konta winning the biggest tournament of her career, and the best result for a female British tennis player since Virginia Wade in 77.

[Mamyalynne]

It may depend on whether they have the rights to televise it Jo - so much is about money now isn't it.

[Cloverjo]

I guess so, mamya. But they always manage to get to Andy Murray's big finals. It seems a bit wrong. Even Eurosport, who have the rights to the women's tour didn't show it.