9. More Free Football
If the Home Internationals were to return, then without doubt they should be on free to watch television. No one can deny that Sky Sports have done a fantastic job with their football output - they are a big reason behind the success of the Premier League and put a great deal of effort into making the most of the international fixtures that they cover - but they shouldn't have the Home Internationals. Their dominance has led to a distinct lack of football on free TV, and every season we have to hope that the British teams make it to later rounds in European competition so that we have something to watch, otherwise having to make do with the occasional England qualifier or uninspiring friendly. The BBC - supposedly the home of British sports - has practically no live football at all. With the Olympics now behind us and feeling that Britain should be continuing its legacy by promoting British sport, what better way than pitting the nations of the UK against each other in the national sport? The BBC losing the rights to Formulae 1 last year was just another sign that sports in this country is becoming more and more commercialised, at this point other than Wimbledon what significant annual sporting event is free for everyone to see? It is my opinion that this lack of consistent live football has lead to a real decrease of quality in the coverage of football on free TV most notably with Match Of The Day, which I found a real struggle to sit through during Euro 2012. While I think that Gary Linkear is an adequate host, the pundits and the format of the show has become mind-numbingly boring. An increase in the amount of live football would hopefully provide the much needed opportunity to reinvent how they do things and with luck any improvements could be adapted into the main show. Though I would rather not have to sit through the bore fest that counts for ITV punditry, if either them or the BBC could pick up the TV rights, we would have the chance to watch more live football for free and that can never be a bad thing.