{"id":920131,"date":"2026-10-08T02:50:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T02:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/920131\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T02:50:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T02:50:14","slug":"a-double-double-down-on-worlds-broadcast-bbc-we-have-had-no-discussions-with-the-rspba-rspba-bbc-coverage-of-worlds-was-axed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/920131\/","title":{"rendered":"A double double-down on Worlds broadcast: BBC \u2013 \u201cWe have had no discussions with the RSPBA.\u201d RSPBA \u2013 \u201c[BBC] coverage of Worlds was axed\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"BBC Scotland has doubled down on its claim that it still hasn\u2019t decided whether to livestream the 2027 World Pipe Band Championships, while the RSPBA has also reiterated that the BBC has axed the program due to budget cuts.<\/p>\n

After an ambiguous article in The Times and social media chatter suggested that BBC Scotland\u2019s livestream coverage of the World Pipe Band Championships had fallen victim to the public broadcaster\u2019s draconian \u00a3500-million budget cuts, pipes|drums reached out to BBC Scotland for a definitive position.<\/p>\n

As with their most recent response, BBC Scotland contended to pipes|drums on October 3rd that \u201cNo decisions have been taken about our coverage of this event in 2027,\u201d but added, \u201cAs announced earlier this year, the BBC needs to save at least \u00a3500-million over the next three years across the organization.\u201d<\/p>\n

Contrary to the BBC\u2019s assertion that no decision had been made, the RSPBA released an official statement<\/a> on October 4, 2026, on its website and Facebook page that said, \u201cWe are disappointed that the BBC will no longer be filming the World Pipe Band Championships, following a decision made as part of the BBC\u2019s wider cost-cutting measures.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"After being contacted again by pipes|drums on October 6th, BBC spokesperson Jim Gough emphatically reiterated that, \u201cBBC Scotland Commissioning has had no discussions so far about 2027 with the RSPBA.\u201d<\/p>\n

pipes|drums has reached out again to both the RSPBA and Glasgow Life (the organization contracted by the RSPBA to organize and manage the overall event) for clarification, after more than 24 hours have passed without receiving anything but an automated out-of-office response from Glasgow Life.<\/p>\n

Jackie Allen, the RSPBA\u2019s Marketing Convenor and London & South of England Branch director, responded with the organization\u2019s own doubling down on their position: \u201cIt is as stated on the RSPBA Facebook post. The RSPBA was informed by the BBC that due to budget cuts, the coverage of Worlds was being axed. Discussions have begun to find a new broadcast partner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because details about previous years\u2019 broadcasts have not been disclosed, it is unclear which organizations are responsible for the various elements of the livestream and under what terms.<\/p>\n

\"\"In recent years, the Friday Grade 1 competitions have been streamed via Glasgow Life without commentary, while the Saturday contests and results have been on BBC Scotland\u2019s website with ongoing commentary from BBC hosts Jackie Bird and Bob Worrall.<\/p>\n

Whether the BBC\u2019s licensing deal is with the RSPBA, Glasgow Life, or both is also unknown, and pipes|drums has asked all three organizations to clarify.<\/p>\n

The Scotland-based online news publication The National reported<\/a> on the matter on October 2nd, along with the outcry from pipers, drummers, enthusiasts and politicians.<\/p>\n

It is not unusual for the BBC to delay a decision on continuing with its Worlds broadcasting.<\/p>\n

To keep the BBC livestream running for the good of piping and drumming, pipes|drums launched a petition<\/a> directed at BBC Scotland Director Hayley Valentine to continue broadcasting the Worlds, a Scottish cultural treasure.<\/p>\n

So far, nearly 1,700 people have signed.<\/p>\n

HELP SAVE THE WORLDS LIVESTREAM!<\/p>\n

While the BBC has not decided on a livestream of the 2027 World Pipe Band Championships, its future is very much in doubt.<\/p>\n

pipes|drums has created a petition to save the broadcast.<\/p>\n

SIGN THE PETITION!
<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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