Sadly, although we know it is not the case, we are largely considered a joke sport.

I agree the BBC (and most of the country) do consider RL a joke sport. It has to be a bad thing on the whole if we have any chance of expanding the game around the UK.

The stupid thing is, I know lots of non RL fans that live out of the area, that love watching Rl and think its a great game. Just saddens me how our great sport is mocked also by many, and at times, it's sad that you cannot argue to defend it either.

Not down here they don't, you must live in a very strange part of the West Riding

rugby league gets a bad rep constantly from people who don't know/like the sport. football could do to take a look at how the rfl runs things imo. i listen to talksport alot and all they ever seem to do is moan about football and how much players get paid, the amount of overseas players in the league, lack of technology (debatable). All these are in rl and its alot better for it imi.

and isn't there a big thing at the min to bring the ashes to the bbc as its there responsibility to broadcast different sporting events? if this is the case then keep the c/c and get rid of some fotball as that would be picked up by someone else!

The thing is they hardly show any live football either.
The BBC used to be the professionals when it came to presenting sport but have been reduced to also rans.
The way they present RL with that Balding Gal whos knows nothing about the game(she should stick to the Horses) and makes it look really amateur.
Also the attendances dont make it an attractive proposition to TV companies when 30 years ago the crowds would often increase for cup games.

I think you are confusing OUR dictated to state with SOMEONE else's democratic state!