Those who liked the old ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ should like the new one too
It's been quite a week to launch this blog, with our coverage announced as well as big announcements about the .
All the has helped remind me why my team has a collective headache trying to do great new things for the World Cup. A project this size almost makes you sympathise with those building Wembley.
This week's variety of feedback also shows those of us in the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ who have been waiting for this corporate message that new media was a top priority that people change at a different pace.
For every there has been another email .
However I believe those who bemoan the end of this institution need not worry.
Take, for example, the idea that there will no longer be a place where young people can discover new sports. I first started watching rugby league on Grandstand decades ago, but what if we could use something like Amazon's recommendations to suggest different programmes to like-minded individuals.
To me that's one of the things that a new ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ website could be about; a massive increase in user engagement which creates new paths to the vast array of information and entertainment on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ - and elsewhere. And lots of "those who liked that, also liked this".
We're hoping to take a few small steps in this direction with the World Cup and the early signs for mass participation are good. Last weekend , helping really create a different perspective on the matches.
I think this appeals equally to those who see the wonderful possibilities of an internet full of interacting data feeds just as much as those who simply disagree with the public's view that Harry Kewell and Marlon Harewood were the star men.
Even better for me - it's one of the big World Cup ideas that is all ready to go with no doubts. Over coming weeks I'll share some details about the others as we (hopefully) add the finishing touches.
