"Visually, it looked 10 times better" - Netflix's Beat Luke Littler inspires call for World Darts Championship shake-up

Almost a week has passed since Netflix's 'Beat Luke Littler', but the event is still generating plenty of discussion. According to Paul Nicholson, the streaming giant demonstrated how darts could be introduced to a much wider audience. The former professional was impressed by several aspects of the production, although he also had some strong criticism of the presenters and certain decisions made by the organisers. In particular, comedian Lee Mack failed to win him over.

The event in Manchester gave amateur darts players and other selected contestants the opportunity to beat Luke Littler in a single leg and win £501,000.

Ultimately, Fallon Sherrock walked away with the top prize. Her participation and victory sparked considerable debate, but the way Netflix presented the event also attracted a mixed response.

Nicholson, who now works as a pundit and commentator, watched the show with particular interest. In an extensive analysis for Sporting Life, he discussed both the strengths and weaknesses of the event.

Netflix chose Gary Lineker, best known for his long career in football broadcasting, to front the show. He was joined on the panel by Richard Osman, Laura Turner and Lee Mack.

Nicholson believes the involvement of such high-profile names was significant in itself. "I think it was big for darts that we had someone as big as Gary Lineker presenting it with a panel of Richard Osman, Laura Turner and Lee Mack because it shows how we've become more mainstream."

He was also impressed by the presentation area's design, suggesting that it could offer a glimpse of how darts might be broadcast in the future. "I was impressed with the visual side of that presenting desk and maybe that's where darts goes from here rather than being inside a studio at the back of the Ally Pally."

However, Nicholson was less convinced by Lineker's contribution as a presenter. While the former England footballer can draw on decades of experience when discussing football, Nicholson felt his knowledge of darts was lacking.

"However, did Gary do a great job for a darts event? When he's fronting football coverage he can obviously lean on a lot of his experience but he didn't have enough knowledge about darts."

Nicholson believes Laura Turner was largely responsible for giving the panel the necessary depth of analysis. "Thankfully Laura was there for darts knowledge and she was magnificent in giving the panel the credibility it needed."

Richard Osman also impressed the Australian. The television presenter and author is a well-known darts enthusiast, and Nicholson felt that enthusiasm came across clearly. "I thought Richard was fantastic due to his clear passion for the sport."

His assessment of Lee Mack was considerably less complimentary, however. Despite the comedian's previous involvement in celebrity darts events, Nicholson questioned what he had brought to the broadcast.

"Lee Mack was a bit out of place and didn't add anything positive to the show. I know he's played celebrity darts in the past but if you were going to cut someone from that desk, it would be him."

Despite his criticism of the presenting team, Nicholson was largely positive about the production as a whole. The arena's appearance and the contestants' entrances particularly caught his attention.

"There were a few things that were a bit unnecessary such as someone coming out of a bin, and then Jayden Walker being dressed up as a schoolboy but overall I thought the production itself was excellent. I think one of the things I particularly liked was how good the central walk-on looked."

The contestants entered through the middle of the crowd rather than approaching the stage from the side, a change Nicholson believes the PDC should consider when the World Darts Championship moves into its new arena at Alexandra Palace.

"So, when we go to the World Championship in a new room at Alexandra Palace, if they do not do a central walk-on, then they've missed an opportunity, because that really was eye-catching."

For Nicholson, the visual difference compared with the traditional entrance was striking. "Visually, it looked 10 times better than the usual kind of walk-on from the side. The whole arena and atmosphere was great."

The introductory videos featuring each contestant were another aspect of the production he enjoyed. Nicholson felt they gave the programme the atmosphere of a television talent show, in keeping with the way Netflix had promoted the challenge. "I did like aspects like the profile videos for every contestant to give it that X Factor feel because ultimately that's how it was pitched to the public."

Not every creative decision made by Netflix met with Nicholson's approval. One particular frustration was the promotional trailer, which was set in a traditional British social club. He felt it presented an outdated image of modern darts. "I didn't like that the trailer was set in a social club because darts has changed so much now."

Nicholson pointed to the considerable development of the sport in recent years, particularly the growth of youth academies. He would have preferred Netflix to highlight the next generation of players instead. "You could have done it in an academy surrounded by kids and parents and things like that."

Although he acknowledges that pubs and social clubs still have an important place in darts, Nicholson believes the sport's future lies elsewhere.

"Darts has moved on and although we still play in social clubs and pubs, the future superstars aren't coming from there anymore. They come from academies and they come from schools."

Given that Netflix had selected several talented teenagers, including Mitchell Lawrie and Jayden Walker, Nicholson found the decision to use such traditional imagery particularly strange. "So, I don't think Netflix read the room brilliantly, especially as they'd selected top teenage talent to appear on the show."

Despite identifying several areas for improvement, Nicholson sees considerable potential in the concept. He even believes Netflix could extend the format into other sports. "I think as a concept for Netflix, it's very, very good. If they're going to do 'Beat Luke Littler' just this once and leave it, then fair enough."

However, he would be interested in seeing the streaming platform develop an entire series built around famous sports stars. "But I think, moving forward, it might be good for them to do a 'Beat...' series and have something like 'Beat Ronnie O'Sullivan' in a frame of snooker or even 'Beat Andy Murray' in a game of tennis, for example."

Nicholson also sees an opportunity to revisit another idea that has been discussed in darts circles for some time: a Royal Rumble of Darts. "I've heard plenty of people saying the concept proves that there would be mileage in the Royal Rumble of Darts idea that we've previously spoken about."

While there is no indication that the PDC intends to introduce such a format, Nicholson suggested Netflix could be particularly well suited to staging it, given its existing relationship with WWE.

"Whether the PDC ever do it, I'm not sure, but maybe it's something more up Netflix's street, especially because of their partnership with WWE. It's a match made in heaven isn't it? And they could even use star wrestlers to cross promote it."

The growing crossover between darts and professional wrestling is already evident in Littler's interactions with WWE star LA Knight, something Nicholson believes could help bring such an event closer to reality. "I've even seen that Luke Littler was getting voice notes from LA Knight recently doing content, so if he's getting that level of attention then maybe it's just a matter of time."

For Nicholson, the appetite among fans could ultimately determine whether the idea ever becomes reality. "If the public want that, they have to make some noise and it’s more likely to happen."