any thoughts Alan

I'm not going to join in their battle. However, BBC's been doing HD origination for all sorts of events for years now, although not able to broadcast it yet. This years' Wimbledon will be HD. At the last count (over 2 years ago, before I retired) BBC owned 2 OB tucks that operate in HD, one of which was permanently wired into the Proms season.

Sporting events have long been equipped for broadcasting by whatever company had available kit. Qute a long time ago, virtually all the ITV companies hived off all their OB facilities into stand-alone companies, like 021, Gearhouse etc. That made it easier for them to bid to cover events for any broadcaster. Sky's no different, it needs no OB fleet, it hires what it needs. And Auntie Beeb does the same according to need. The fleet at Kendall Avenue is a little smaller than you'd expect for an organisation that covers as much as the BBC does, it's an economincally viable unit that works alongside the commercial companies in the game. For one season, a programme made for an ITV company was housed in one of the garages there :)

Lack of owned facilities (or even an excess of them) is no indicator of a broadcaster's ability to cover events. Never has been.

Thanks Alan, good to hear from someone who has a bit of background knowledge.