Barry Hearn on the BDO and women's darts

[1205]

Live Darts YouTube channel has another interview with Barry Hearn where he was asked about the BDO. Also a question at the end asked about the women's game.

BDO comments from 4:40. Women's game question at 11:35.

[devosteve]

Confirms 8 places for the bdo. Is willing to help them. Bdo Not competition to the pdc. Ladies, maybe something in the future.

[1205]

Confirms 8 places for the bdo. Is willing to help them. Bdo Not competition to the pdc. Ladies, maybe something in the future.

In answer to the question about ladies darts he again mentioned the Grand Slam of Darts. So when they talk to the BDO this week, those 8 places may well include one for the ladies World Champion, Suzuki.

[malcy93]

Referred to the BDO as Amateur darts a number of times in the interview.

I know from past history the BDO calling Lakeside the World Professional Darts Championship is a real sticking point for Hearn. Change it to Amateur in the title and I feel Hearn will be much more accommodating to the BDO.


Also interesting plans on World Series. Said they are close to announcing big expansion in the US with their new TV partners there. That’s the streaming company DAZN who although British (have nothing here) but are now the largest sports streaming company worldwide. They already have a close working relationship with Matchroom Boxing on screening events. DAZN also picking up PDC rights in large parts of Europe including Germany, Italy and Spain.

Said they are also considering a World Series Event in Scandinavia. Probably because the Copenhagen ET has sold out last few years and World Series ensures the likes of Anderson there who skip ET.

Finally had a dig at Barney saying not playing enough qualifiers to get to the TV events. Said for World Series didn’t deserve the place on form but is there as he still sells tickets to casual rather than committed fans based upon his name recognition.

[ssjsa]

Referred to the BDO as Amateur darts a number of times in the interview.

I know from past history the BDO calling Lakeside the World Professional Darts Championship is a real sticking point for Hearn. Change it to Amateur in the title and I feel Hearn will be much more accommodating to the BDO.


Also interesting plans on World Series. Said they are close to announcing big expansion in the US with their new TV partners there. That’s the streaming company DAZN who although British (have nothing here) but are now the largest sports streaming company worldwide. They already have a close working relationship with Matchroom Boxing on screening events.DAZN also picking up PDC rights in large parts of Europe including Germany, Italy and Spain.

Said they are also considering a World Series Event in Scandinavia. Probably because the Copenhagen ET has sold out last few years and World Series ensures the likes of Anderson there who skip ET.

Finally had a dig at Barney saying not playing enough qualifiers to get to the TV events. Said for World Series didn’t deserve the place on form but is there as he still sells tickets to casual rather than committed fans based upon his name recognition.

Just watched this. He referred to Ladies qualifiers for both the GSOD and Ally Pally.

Just a thought but could one of the non BDO places go to a Womens Qualifier under the auspices of the PDC?

[malcy93]

Not for this year as they have defined the criteria for the 24 PDC participants.
However they could tell the BDO one of their 8 has to be the Lakeside Women’s Champion.

The PDC has more than enough quality. There will be quite a few Pro Tour winners not getting a GS place this year.
As Hearn said the problem is the quality of the BDO 8, hence why give one to a women. Won’t really dilute their quality.

[1205]

Referred to the BDO as Amateur darts a number of times in the interview.

I know from past history the BDO calling Lakeside the World Professional Darts Championship is a real sticking point for Hearn. Change it to Amateur in the title and I feel Hearn will be much more accommodating to the BDO.


Also interesting plans on World Series. Said they are close to announcing big expansion in the US with their new TV partners there. That’s the streaming company DAZN who although British (have nothing here) but are now the largest sports streaming company worldwide. They already have a close working relationship with Matchroom Boxing on screening events.DAZN also picking up PDC rights in large parts of Europe including Germany, Italy and Spain.

Said they are also considering a World Series Event in Scandinavia. Probably because the Copenhagen ET has sold out last few years and World Series ensures the likes of Anderson there who skip ET.

Finally had a dig at Barney saying not playing enough qualifiers to get to the TV events. Said for World Series didn’t deserve the place on form but is there as he still sells tickets to casual rather than committed fans based upon his name recognition.

Just watched this. He referred to Ladies qualifiers for both the GSOD and Ally Pally.

Just a thought but could one of the non BDO places go to a Womens Qualifier under the auspices of the PDC?

He said "continue with the Grand Slam and World Championship qualifiers", by which he meant the Grand Slam BDO spots and the WC qualifiers. If anything it just emphasised that they expect the Ladies World Champion there.

[ChrisW]

Not for this year as they have defined the criteria for the 24 PDC participants.
However they could tell the BDO one of their 8 has to be the Lakeside Women’s Champion.

The PDC has more than enough quality. There will be quite a few Pro Tour winners not getting a GS place this year.
As Hearn said the problem is the quality of the BDO 8, hence why give one to a women. Won’t really dilute their quality.

Reduce the amount of PDC qualifer places. Then the Pro Tour Winner get a place.
As soon as you reduce the BDO 8 you lose the point of the tournament.

[dartistik]

Said they are also considering a World Series Event in Scandinavia. Probably because the Copenhagen ET has sold out last few years and World Series ensures the likes of Anderson there who skip ET.

The ET in Copenhagen didn't quite sell out this year. I do like the idea of a World Series event in Scandinavia, but hopefully it would then be a "Nordic & Baltic" event to include Razma and Labanauskas.

[malcy93]

Said they are also considering a World Series Event in Scandinavia. Probably because the Copenhagen ET has sold out last few years and World Series ensures the likes of Anderson there who skip ET.

The ET in Copenhagen didn't quite sell out this year. I do like the idea of a World Series event in Scandinavia, but hopefully it would then be a "Nordic & Baltic" event to include Razma and Labanauskas.

You could well be right. Going on what I saw on TV looked pretty full.

[The Jolly Man]

Why have a WSOD event in Scandinavia when you can have a euro tour event?

[ChrisW]

Why have a WSOD event in Scandinavia when you can have a euro tour event?

Why have one in Germany?

[malcy93]

Why have a WSOD event in Scandinavia when you can have a euro tour event?

Because it guarantees the appearance of some of the top players like Anderson who are too lazy to do ET.

Also is attractive to Viasat the local TV rights holder as its 8 Scandinavians vs 8 top PDC players in round 1.

[ssjsa]

Barry also commenting on Dartboards and referring to data that has been collated re rejected darts which will be published next week. Following much debate on Twitter forum member Ed Lowy has tweeted the number Barrry alluded to.

[ssjsa]

The link to the full data.

[Murphio]

Ed can use all the stats he likes but it is clear the boards are not up to scratch. And, as he acknowledges in all fairness, some players suffer more than others. Gary Anderson's three darts falling out in the middle of a world championship final was simply embarrassing.

[Pompey Col]

Why waste his time talking about rubbish like BDO and Womens Darts?
Viewers want to see quality and glamour,unless you are Oche.

[ChrisW]

Why waste his time talking about rubbish like BDO and Womens Darts?
Viewers want to see quality and glamour,unless you are Oche.

It's glitz not,quality.

[Edward Lowy]

Ed can use all the stats he likes but it is clear the boards are not up to scratch. And, as he acknowledges in all fairness, some players suffer more than others. Gary Anderson's three darts falling out in the middle of a world championship final was simply embarrassing.

Spot on Murph, let's not waste time on the facts

[oche balboa]

I've enjoyed the close games this WMP

Better then masterclasses for sure