Netflix defends Beat Luke Littler line-up after darts fans' backlash
Netflix says everyone, including known PDC players, went through the same heats and auditions for its live darts special Beat Luke Littler, after fans objected to their inclusion. The show airs on Friday 30 October.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 1Netflix has defended the line-up for Beat Luke Littler, its first entry into darts, after a backlash from darts fans over the inclusion of well-known players. City A.M.RC “Netflix insists that Fallon Sherrock and other faces from the PDC circuit were made to queue up and audition alongside thousands of hopefuls” Read at City A.M. ↗ Right · 1The programme was first billed as a chance for pub players to take on Luke Littler over one leg of 501 for £501,000, but a series of well-known players were then named in the line-up. City A.M.RC “initially billed as a chance for pub players to take on Littler over one leg of 501 in a bid to win £501,000” Read at City A.M. ↗ Right · 1A Netflix spokesperson said the application and audition process was "exactly the same for everyone" and open only to people aged 12 and over who do not hold, and have never held, a PDC Tour Card. City A.M.RC “The application and audition process for Beat Luke Littler was exactly the same for everyone and open only to people aged 12 and over who do not hold – and have never held – a PDC Tour Card.” Read at City A.M. ↗
Right · 1Netflix said the final 24 all queued for heats in London or Manchester and completed a leg of 501 in 24 darts or less. City AM was told that players already earning money from competitive darts also waited in those queues and attended audition interviews. City A.M.RC “all queued up to compete in the heats in London or Manchester, respectively, and managed to complete a leg of 501 in 24 darts or less” Read at City A.M. ↗ Mixed · 2The contenders include a Nando's restaurant manager, a bin collector and a former British Army captain, but also many PDC-ranked players: Fallon Sherrock, 32, Mitchell Lawrie, a 15-year-old reigning junior world champion, and Ashley Coleman, 34th on the PDC Challenge Tour order of merit. City A.M.RC “While the contenders include a Nando’s restaurant manager, a bin collector and former British Army captain, many are PDC-ranked players.” Read at City A.M. ↗ Evening StandardN “Among those involved are former women's world matchplay champion Fallon Sherrock and young Scottish prospect Mitchell Lawrie.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Right · 1Insiders told City AM that none of the contenders holds a PDC Tour card, which they say makes them amateurs. City AM noted that the selection greatly improves the chances of someone winning, given the odds of an ordinary player beating Littler. City A.M.RC “Insiders argue that none of the contenders currently holds a PDC Tour card, thus making them amateurs.” Read at City A.M. ↗
Centre · 1Under the format, each challenger needs to beat Littler in a single leg of 501. Littler must win every leg, and the event ends as soon as one challenger beats him, with that player taking the £501,000. Evening StandardN “Littler must win every leg to remain in the competition. If a challenger manages to defeat him, the event ends and that player takes home the prize money.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Centre · 1The Evening Standard describes a line-up of 24 contestants aged 14 to 57 who compete for 20 places before being split into groups to face Littler. The show is live on Netflix from 7pm GMT on Friday 30 October. Evening StandardN “The line-up features 24 contestants aged between 14 and 57”“Fans can watch Beat Luke Littler live on Netflix from 7pm GMT on Friday, October 30.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Centre · 1Gary Lineker hosts, with Richard Osman providing analysis and statistics. Angry Ginge, former professional Laura Turner and comedian Lee Mack also appear. Evening StandardN “Gary Lineker will host the live special, with broadcaster, while TV personality and author Richard Osman provides expert analysis and statistics.” Read at Evening Standard ↗
Right · 1Littler, 19, is a back-to-back world champion, and City AM credits his rise with fuelling darts' popularity and attracting institutional investment. City A.M.RC “Littler, 19, is already a back-to-back world champion whose meteoric rise has been credited with fuelling the popularity of darts and attracting institutional investment to the sport.” Read at City A.M. ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- The Evening Standard runs a practical explainer on start time, format and prize, presenting the show as amateurs against the world number one.
- Emphasis
- The one-leg format, the prize, the presenters and how to watch.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the fan backlash or Netflix's defence of the selection process.
- For example
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“One mistake from the world no1 could see an amateur pocket half a million pounds” — Evening Standard
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- City AM leads on the controversy: fan backlash over pros in what was billed as an amateur contest, and Netflix's rebuttal.
- Emphasis
- Netflix's statement on the audition process, the queues and heats, and the argument that Tour-card-less players count as amateurs.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not give the format, host or start time in detail, and does not quote any of the fans who objected.
- Charged language
- “backlash”“amateurs”
- For example
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“The programme has attracted a backlash from darts fans after it was initially billed as a chance for pub players” — City A.M.
What every side reports
- Netflix is airing the live darts special Beat Luke Littler on Friday 30 October.
- Challengers must beat Luke Littler in a single leg of 501 to win £501,000.
- The line-up includes Fallon Sherrock and Mitchell Lawrie alongside non-professional players.
Where accounts differ
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Whether the well-known players in the line-up are genuine amateurs
- Centre
- The Evening Standard calls the contestants amateurs, rising talents and people from many professions, and raises no dispute.
- Right
- City AM reports Netflix's view that all went through identical heats and auditions, and insiders' view that players without a Tour card are amateurs. It also reports fan backlash that the show was billed for pub players.
Netflix organisation
Says the application and audition process was identical for all entrants and open only to people who have never held a PDC Tour Card, and that all 24 finalists qualified in heats.
“The application and audition process for Beat Luke Littler was exactly the same for everyone” — City A.M.
Luke Littler person
Is the world champion whom contestants must beat in a single leg of 501 to win the prize. The coverage gives no comment from him on the dispute.
“One mistake from Littler, and it’s over.” — Evening Standard
Fallon Sherrock person
Is the best-known contender, as the only woman to win a PDC World Championship match. Netflix says she queued and auditioned like the others. The coverage gives no comment from her.
“The standout name is Sherrock, 32, the only woman to win a PDC World Darts Championship match” — City A.M.
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Beat Luke Littler: Netflix special start time, format and £501,000 prize explained
Neutral Event explainer covering format, line-up, presenters and viewing details, without reference to the controversy.
Right1 article
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Netflix defends Beat Luke Littler line-up after backlash at pros’ inclusion
Mixed News report setting fan criticism against Netflix's insistence on a level process, with insider views that the pros are technically amateurs.
- 27 Oct 16:46 First City A.M.RC Netflix defends Beat Luke Littler line-up after backlash at pros’ inclusion
- 29 Oct 11:10 +42h 25m Evening StandardN Beat Luke Littler: Netflix special start time, format and £501,000 prize explained
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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