trotter01 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 12:24 am
Thousands of people only think darts exists at Christmas..
Thousands of people probably think the only tennis ever played is on grass in a 4 week period in June/July...
Also very true
the difference is those casual fans have always just watched Wimbledon.
Once upon a time those casual fans thought darts only existed at lakeside once a year. Viewing figures for that have dropped massively.
when you have 'captured' the attention, on a regular basis, of the casual fan you have cracked it. And to think the BDO gave up that fan base when losing/giving up the BBC contract.
Also very true
The PDC have turned Ally Pally into a monster which is much more than a darts event.. Whatever the BDO put on cannot follow that these days... Now they have broken from Lakeside I do believe they would be better moving their Worlds away from January.. A week long TV spot in January is still probably much easier to get though.
The Sky Sports Darts channel is to return from December 12-January 3, with full coverage of the 2019/2020 William Hill World Darts Championship as part of 22 days of programming.
Sky Sports Arena will be rebranded as Sky Sport Darts from 0600 GMT on Thursday December 12 ahead of the World Championship beginning at Alexandra Palace the following day.
Sky Sports Darts will be on Channel 408 (HD), 862 (SD) and on streaming service NOW TV through a Sky Sports Pass.
The 22 days of non-stop darts programming will see the live coverage of the World Championship accompanied by documentaries, highlights and classic matches.
In addition, certain sessions will be simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky One throughout the tournament.
Reigning World Champion Michael van Gerwen is eagerly awaiting the tournament's return, and said: "It's always a fantastic time over the festive period at Ally Pally.
"The fans, the atmosphere and the darts are unbelievable. If you can't be there, Sky Sports Darts is your destination from December 12 to January 3. I hope to be there on New Year's Day in the final and defend my title!"
Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld will be competing in his final tournament before retirement next month, with the Dutchman adding: "Darts has been my life and this is my last shot at World Championship glory.
"Knowing millions of fans will follow my final journey in the sport on Sky Sports Darts is something special – I just want to prolong my stay at Ally Pally for as long as possible. Winning in my final tournament would be amazing!
"Being crowned the 2007 champion was an incredible experience, and I hope the viewers enjoy this year's tournament as well as the documentaries and classic matches. I’m sure Sky Sports will have my 2007 title win on there!"
The William Hill World Darts Championship is part of a festive season of live action on Sky Sports that includes football from the Premier League, EFL and SPFL, Test match cricket, and more.
Watch the entire William Hill World Darts Championship on the dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel on Channel 408 (HD) or 862 (SD), or with your NOW TVSky Sports Pass from £5.99 a month*.
* Get five Sky Sports channels on your smartphone with a Sky Sports Mobile Month Pass for £5.99 a month. For all other NOW TV Sky Sports passes please click here.
BlueSpark wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 7:55 pm
Get my Sky installed on the 10th
Just in time, no more watching on the phone
Lovely
Perfect timing Neil, only downside is 2 days late for the Old Firm game.
Is that next weekend (6-8 Dec) John?
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Yes Antonello. Ruiz vs Joshua on the 7th, and the Old Firm game on the 8th.
After your visit to Glasgow for the PL in February, and having visited both Castle Greyskull and Paradise, hope you will be cheering for the glorious Hoops.
BlueSpark wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 7:55 pm
Get my Sky installed on the 10th
Just in time, no more watching on the phone
Lovely
Perfect timing Neil, only downside is 2 days late for the Old Firm game.
Is that next weekend (6-8 Dec) John?
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Yes Antonello. Ruiz vs Joshua on the 7th, and the Old Firm game on the 8th.
After your visit to Glasgow for the PL in February, and having visited both Castle Greyskull and Paradise, hope you will be cheering for the glorious Hoops.
In fairness I'm a big fan of the Rangers manager.... However if Celtic win I'm happy as Gary's a Hoops fan.....
BlueSpark wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 7:55 pm
Get my Sky installed on the 10th
Just in time, no more watching on the phone
Lovely
Perfect timing Neil, only downside is 2 days late for the Old Firm game.
Is that next weekend (6-8 Dec) John?
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Yes Antonello. Ruiz vs Joshua on the 7th, and the Old Firm game on the 8th.
After your visit to Glasgow for the PL in February, and having visited both Castle Greyskull and Paradise, hope you will be cheering for the glorious Hoops.
In fairness I'm a big fan of the Rangers manager.... However if Celtic win I'm happy as Gary's a Hoops fan.....
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Gary is a Hibs fan, and has pulled for my signature in the past, albeit it only in jest.
ssjsa wrote:
Perfect timing Neil, only downside is 2 days late for the Old Firm game.
Is that next weekend (6-8 Dec) John?
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Yes Antonello. Ruiz vs Joshua on the 7th, and the Old Firm game on the 8th.
After your visit to Glasgow for the PL in February, and having visited both Castle Greyskull and Paradise, hope you will be cheering for the glorious Hoops.
In fairness I'm a big fan of the Rangers manager.... However if Celtic win I'm happy as Gary's a Hoops fan.....
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Gary is a Hibs fan, and has pulled me up in the past for my signature in the past, but in all fairness only in jest.
2019/2020 William Hill World Darts Championship
Schedule of Play
Friday December 13 (1900 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Jelle Klaasen v Kevin Burness (First Round)
Kim Huybrechts v Geert Nentjes (First Round)
Luke Humphries v Devon Petersen (First Round)
Michael van Gerwen v Klaasen/Burness (Second Round)
Saturday December 14
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Darius Labanauskas v Matthew Edgar (First Round)
Ryan Meikle v Yuki Yamada (First Round)
Luke Woodhouse v Paul Lim (First Round)
Jermaine Wattimena v Humphries/Petersen (Second Round)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Mark McGeeney v Matt Campbell (First Round)
Jamie Hughes v Zoran Lerchbacher (First Round)
Raymond van Barneveld v Darin Young (First Round)
Rob Cross v Huybrechts/Nentjes (Second Round)
Sunday December 15
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Kyle Anderson v Xiaochen Zong (First Round)
Ross Smith v Ciaran Teehan (First Round)
Brendan Dolan v Nitin Kumar (First Round)
Ian White v Labanauskas/Edgar (Second Round)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Arron Monk v Jose Justicia (First Round)
Andy Boulton v Danny Baggish (First Round)
James Richardson v Mikuru Suzuki (First Round)
Michael Smith v Woodhouse/Lim (Second Round)
Monday December 16 (1900 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Steve Lennon v Callan Rydz (First Round)
William O’Connor v Marko Kantele (First Round)
Vincent van der Voort v Keane Barry (First Round)
Gary Anderson v Dolan/Kumar (Second Round)
Tuesday December 17
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Ryan Searle v Robbie King (First Round)
Cristo Reyes v Lourence Ilagan (First Round)
Rowby-John Rodriguez v Noel Malicdem (First Round)
Krzysztof Ratajski v Hughes/Lerchbacher (Second Round)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Ritchie Edhouse v Boris Koltsov (First Round)
Jose De Sousa v Damon Heta (First Round)
Ted Evetts v Fallon Sherrock (First Round)
Jeffrey de Zwaan v Van Barneveld/Young (Second Round)
Wednesday December 18
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Ron Meulenkamp v Ben Robb (First Round)
Mickey Mansell v Seigo Asada (First Round)
Harry Ward v Madars Razma (First Round)
Stephen Bunting v Monk/Justicia (Second Round)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
James Wilson v Nico Kurz (First Round)
Josh Payne v Diogo Portela (First Round)
Gabriel Clemens v Benito van de Pas (First Round)
James Wade v Edhouse/Koltsov (Second Round)
Thursday December 19
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
2x First Round, 2x Second Round
Justin Pipe v Benjamin Pratnemer (First Round)
Ryan Joyce v Jan Dekker (First Round)
John Henderson v Richardson/Suzuki (Second Round)
Steve Beaton v K Anderson/Zong (Second Round)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
4x Second Round
Chris Dobey v Meulenkamp/Robb (Second Round)
Danny Noppert v Lennon/Rydz (Second Round)
Dave Chisnall v Van der Voort/Barry (Second Round)
Gerwyn Price v O’Connor/Kantele (Second Round)
Friday December 20
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
4x Second Round
Darren Webster v Meikle/Yamada (Second Round)
Mervyn King v R Smith/Teehan (Second Round)
Jonny Clayton v Joyce/Dekker (Second Round)
Ricky Evans v McGeeney/Campbell (Second Round)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
4x Second Round
Nathan Aspinall v Boulton/Baggish (Second Round)
Joe Cullen v Wilson/Kurz (Second Round)
Max Hopp v Clemens/Van de Pas (Second Round)
Peter Wright v Rodriguez/Malicdem (Second Round)
Saturday December 21
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
4x Second Round
Keegan Brown v Mansell/Asada (Second Round)
Simon Whitlock v Ward/Razma (Second Round)
Steve West v Searle/R King (Second Round)
Adrian Lewis v Reyes/Ilagan (Second Round)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
4x Second Round
Daryl Gurney v Pipe/Pratnemer (Second Round)
Glen Durrant v De Sousa/Heta (Second Round)
Mensur Suljovic v Evetts/Sherrock (Second Round)
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Payne/Portela (Second Round)
Sunday December 22
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
3x Third Round
Clayton/Joyce/Dekker v Bunting/Monk/Justicia
White/Labanauskas/Edgar v Hopp/Clemens/Van de Pas
Aspinall/Boulton/Baggish v Ratajski/Hughes/Lerchbacher
Evening Session (1900)
3x Third Round
Wade/Edhouse/Koltsov v Beaton/K Anderson/Zong
Cross/Huybrechts/Nentjes v Noppert/Lennon/Rydz
Van Gerwen/Klaasen/Burness v Evans/McGeeney/Campbell
Monday December 23
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
3x Third Round
Cullen/Wilson/Kurz v Wattimena/Humphries/Petersen
Lewis/Reyes/Ilagan v Webster/Meikle/Yamada
M Smith/Woodhouse/Lim v Van den Bergh/Payne/Portela
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
3x Third Round
Chisnall/Van der Voort/Barry v De Zwaan/Van Barneveld/Young
G Anderson/Dolan/Kumar v West/Searle/R King
Wright/Rodriguez/Malicdem v Brown/Mansell/Asada
Friday December 27
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
3x Third Round
Whitlock/Ward/Razma v King/R Smith/Teehan
Suljovic/Evetts/Sherrock v Dobey/Meulenkamp/Robb
Gurney/Pipe/Pratnemer v Durrant/De Sousa/Heta
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
1x Third Round, 2x Fourth Round
Price/O'Connor/Kantele v Henderson/Richardson/Suzuki
Fourth Round games TBC
Saturday December 28
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
3x Fourth Round
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
3x Fourth Round
Sunday December 29
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
2x Quarter-Finals
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
2x Quarter-Finals
Monday December 30 (1900 GMT)
Semi-Finals
Wednesday January 1 (1900 GMT)
Final
Format
First Round - Best of five sets (no tie-break)
Second Round - Best of five sets
Third Round - Best of seven sets
Fourth Round - Best of seven sets
Quarter-Finals - Best of nine sets
Semi-Finals - Best of 11 sets
Final - Best of 13 sets
A tie-break will be in operation in all round from the second round onwards, where the final set must be won by two clear legs. If the score reaches five-all, the 11th leg will be a sudden-death leg.
Prize fund
Winner - £500,000
Runner-up - £200,000
Semi-final - £100,000
Quarter-final - £50,000
Fourth round - £35,000
Third round - £25,000
Second round - £15,000
First round - £7,500
TSOD World Grand Prix Prediction winner 2017.
"Who gives a shit" - Borespark about every Darts event since 2021
I think it's unfair that some players have to play two games in the one night. This is the biggest darts tournament on the planet and it should be a level playing field for all but it's not. I would not be happy if I was one of the players having to play twice.
kingp35 wrote:I think it's unfair that some players have to play two games in the one night. This is the biggest darts tournament on the planet and it should be a level playing field for all but it's not. I would not be happy if I was one of the players having to play twice.
I would be more annoyed if I was from Canada and played on 22nd Dec then next game 28th Dec, all that travel over Xmas. Or you could say it gives the lower seeded player a slight advantage as they have got use to stage earlier on.
kingp35 wrote:I think it's unfair that some players have to play two games in the one night. This is the biggest darts tournament on the planet and it should be a level playing field for all but it's not. I would not be happy if I was one of the players having to play twice.
Only one player has to play twice in one night, not "some". No way round it as you arent going to get a session with just R1 games as its not an attractive sell.
In any case, how well are you expecting the winner of the Klaasen game to do against MvG? 2 days or 2 hours break wont be making much difference. If anything a shorter one is better as at least they have some momentum from the earlier win.
