They take so many cameras, so many gadgets, so many staff and so much commitment to each sporting event that watching their live coverage of, say, a top football match, is almost better than being there. They have raised the level of analysis several notches. Before Sky, panels of experts used to sit around chatting for our edification. Now, thanks to technology which they have pioneered, we have a detailed look at key issues and the debate is better informed and more illuminating. Most of Sky's best ideas have been copied by their rivals, yet the Beeb and ITV often look staid and halfhearted in comparison.
Sky still show some awful tosh.
But then they've broadcast more than 150,000 hours of sport, and it can't all be terrific. Most of it has been good, however, and some of it has been outstanding. Click here for Terms of Use and Privacy Policy applicable to this site.