Olympic opening and closing BBC coverage rant . . .

[psyclick]

Is it just me or did anyone else find the BBC coverage of the Beijing Olympics opening and closing ceremonies incredibly annoying ?

I mean, why on earth did they feel the need to have Huw Edwards and co. yaking over the whole thing, it totally spoiled it for me.

I agree the commentary on the actual sporting events was good, but it just isn't needed for cultural events or anything else.

If I were to go along to a theatre production or concert, I wouldn't expect to have a BBC lackey commentating on what was happening on stage, likewise if I watch a film on DVD or whatever I wouldn't expect to have the directors commentary forced on me with no option to switch it off.

In this day and age surely it would be easy to have the commentary on a separate audio stream (red button maybe) for those that wish to have someone telling you what you are actually watching and in many cases spoiling the surprise by telling you what is going to happen in the next segment.

OK, rant over, am I alone here ?

[krish]

what about this evening's fricking 6pm news ... what a bloomin' joke ... Kate Silverton LIVE on the noisy runway at Heathrow talking to Chris Hoy and Ben Ainslie ... except they were already inside some place having touched down much earlier ... embarrassing interview/conversation

[jdslater1]

I agreed with evrything you said there mate.
I like the bit when Jimmy Page came up and she said "Anyone coming to London is gonna gey a whole lotta love!" Thanks for ruining that for me!
Did you think they told the crowd that in the stadium?!

[vader100]

Originally Posted by psyclick

Is it just me or did anyone else find the BBC coverage of the Beijing Olympics opening and closing ceremonies incredibly annoying ?

I mean, why on earth did they feel the need to have Huw Edwards and co. yaking over the whole thing, it totally spoiled it for me.

I agree the commentary on the actual sporting events was good, but it just isn't needed for cultural events or anything else.

If I were to go along to a theatre production or concert, I wouldn't expect to have a BBC lackey commentating on what was happening on stage, likewise if I watch a film on DVD or whatever I wouldn't expect to have the directors commentary forced on me with no option to switch it off.

In this day and age surely it would be easy to have the commentary on a separate audio stream (red button maybe) for those that wish to have someone telling you what you are actually watching and in many cases spoiling the surprise by telling you what is going to happen in the next segment.

OK, rant over, am I alone here ?

There was an option on the red button to watch without commentary

[psyclick]

No, say it isn't so !

I recorded both ceremonies and they will both be forever tainted.

Just out of interest, was the red button option on BBC HD in full HD (which I recorded on my SKY HD box) ? or just on BBC one SD ?

Unfortunately I don't think you can record the red button options, can you ?

Anyway, it should have been the other way round, red button to hear the commentary.

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by vader100

There was an option on the red button to watch without commentary

Not for me. When I pressed the red button I got the Olympics options but nothing for the ceremonies.

[Reign-Mack]

Originally Posted by krish

what about this evening's fricking 6pm news ... what a bloomin' joke ... Kate Silverton LIVE on the noisy runway at Heathrow talking to Chris Hoy and Ben Ainslie ... except they were already inside some place having touched down much earlier ... embarrassing interview/conversation

omg Kate Silverton live.... she is possibly the only thing I miss from watching TV.

...I saw her shopping around Old Street once

Originally Posted by vader100

There was an option on the red button to watch without commentary

Did'nt somebody hack on about the opening and also tottally miss the fact that they could have done this ...really pays to read the instructions sometimes

[Sonic67]

On HD I don't think you get the option.

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by Sonic67

On HD I don't think you get the option.

Just plain Freeview for me.