INT. TV NEWSROOM - DAY
A NEWSREADER sits at the newsdesk, a SPOKESMAN patiently waits to be interviewed.
NEWSREADER
Now, Sky Sports have been criticised for inflicting another price hike on its customers, despite the channel's recent loss of numerous live broadcast rights. Here to discuss the situation with me is Sky TV's chief spokesperson. How can you defend these price rises?
SPOKESMAN
Well, this tiny, barely newsworthy increase in our subscription packages will allow us to continue to secure the best possible range of sports for our customers.
NEWSREADER
But what about the recent losses your company has suffered from your portfolio? Rugby, football, cricket, you're losing the lot.
SPOKESMAN
Well, Sky Sports have worked tirelessly to secure a plethora of new and better sports to replace any that our competitors may have taken from us.
NEWSREADER
Like what?
SPOKESMAN
Well, we recently launched our all-new interactive coverage of the world's foremost Kabaddi tournament, and from next season, we have secured exclusive rights to the Kazakhstan Premier League, the most up-and-coming professional football league in all of the Kazakhstan region.
NEWSREADER
I see...
SPOKESMAN
And furthermore, I can confirm right here that from next month, Sky Sports will be providing live coverage of Britain's newest and most exciting sport.
NEWSREADER
Which is?
SPOKESMAN
Morris dancing.
NEWSREADER
I'm sorry?
SPOKESMAN
No need to apologise.
NEWSREADER
But how is that a sport?
SPOKESMAN
Well, we've worked long and hard with the British Morris Dancing Federation, and we've put together a brand new rules package for competitive Morris Dancing. The tagline: Two teams enter, one team leaves. While the other team remains in the arena following the pre-agreed rules of 'winner stays on'.
NEWSREADER
I see...
SPOKESMAN
And we'll be ratcheting up the entertainment on the sidelines as well. Pyrotechnics, cheerleaders, live replays on a big screen, fans will never have seen anything like it. Well, fans of morris dancing probably won't, anyway.
NEWSREADER
But morris dancing is a form of choreographed medieval folk art. How have you been able to apply a competitive element?
SPOKESMAN
Well, it's quite simple really. Both dances will be judged on a series of different categories. Style, choreography, the tensile strength of their choice of ribbon...
NEWSREADER
Can it really be called a sport if the victor is decided by a series of subjective judging criteria?
SPOKESMAN
Of course! Is boxing a sport? Or Robot Wars?
NEWSREADER
I'm not sure Robot Wars is.
SPOKESMAN
We'll see about that, when the new series launches on Sky Sports HD later this year!
NEWSREADER
Look, I'm sorry, but I can't really see 'competitive morris dancing' capturing the public's imagination.
SPOKESMAN
Oh, I beg to differ. Sky Sports really feels that this could be to traditional morris dancing what Twenty20 cricket was to...that other type of cricket nobody used to watch.
NEWSREADER
Tests?
SPOKESMAN
We'll be pretty thorough, yes.
NEWSREADER
And how have the teams been selected?
SPOKESMAN
Well, we've also completely overhauled the divisional structure of morris dancing. There will be one dance troupe per region, and we've worked with a top American marketing team to properly brand each franchise.
NEWSREADER
I'm sorry, to brand them?
SPOKESMAN
Indeed. In fact the opening live match will be between the Kendal Earthquakes and the Abingdon Red Sox at the start of next month!
NEWSREADER
And morris dancers are going along with this?
SPOKESMAN
Of course. We can promise them unrivalled television coverage, and plenty of revenue money for the winners. We've got teams from all over the country signed up. Ledbury, Stony Stratford, Calderbridge, Bideford...
NEWSREADER
Cockermouth?
SPOKESMAN
Well, there's no need for that.
NEWSREADER
And what about your critics, who say that if you want to raise your prices, you should be paying more for the rights to real sports, with proper history.
SPOKESMAN
Oh no, we made that mistake with the Formula One. We're not falling for that again.