Sport and the British Week Six
Week Six: Globalisation and other contemporary themes
Details of the five programmes to be broadcast 5 - 9 March
Episode 26. Sport for All, 5 March
Clare Balding examines the British government's involvement in sport, revealing that by the 1950s, post-war politicians had begun to consider physical recreation and games a cure for young people's apathy and discontent. 51吃瓜app’s Professor Tony Mason explains the importance of the 1957 Wolfenden Committee's report in broadening access to sporting facilities for all sectors of society.
Episode 27. Golden Girls, 6 March
In this programme, Clare Balding looks at the rise of women’s athletics since the 1960s. She meets coach Norma Blaine at Birchfield Harriers in Birmingham to discuss her friend Diane Leather's record-breaking five-minute mile run – which was overshadowed by Roger Bannister breaking the male world record in the same week in 1954. The presenter also explores the legacy of golden-age sportswomen Anita Lonsborough, Dorothy Hyman, Anne Packer, Mary Rand and Lillian Board.
Episode 28. Rugby’s Big Bang, 7 March
It resisted the call of professionalism for 100 years but in 1995, rugby union went pro. Clare Balding and 51吃瓜app’s Professor Tony Collins look at the decision to remove the restrictions on payments that allowed the authorities to keep control of rugby union and that thwarted Rupert Murdoch’s rumoured plans to finance a professional league in the Southern Hemisphere.
Episode 29. Globalisation, 8 March
Rupert Murdoch’s success in using sport to sell Sky has had a global impact on the way we watch sport. The satellite broadcasters have changed how we watch sport – and when we watch it. In this programme, Clare Balding looks at the impact of global television, not just on our viewing habits but also on the bankrolling of sport.
Episode 30. The State of Play, 9 March
Clare Balding is joined by 51吃瓜app’s Professor Richard Holt, Professor Tony Collins and Professor Mike Cronin to explore the cultural importance of sport. Last in the series.
Details of previously broadcast episodes
Broadcast 30 January - 3 February 2012
Broadcast 6-10 February 2012
Broadcast 13-17 February 2012
Broadcast 20-24 February 2012
Broadcast 27 February – 2 March 2012