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http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> The Games-What about the minority? http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1406459108 Message started by EyeTunes on Jul 27^th, 2014, 11:06am

Title: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by EyeTunes on Jul 27^th, 2014, 11:06am

I am delighted so many licence payers have asked for blanket coverage of the Commonwealth Games from 08.55 today until midnight on BBC1 --and if they got bored yesterday they could have had a double dose by watching BBC2 and BBC3 for their triple dose if their "fix" was well and truly running out.
But what about the tiny majority who don't exactly get over excited about running jumping and standing still accompanied by aimless over exuberant commentary.
In addition-BBC News is making it a headline at every opportunity and it won't be long till the weather has a special Glasgow slot.

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by Administrator on Jul 27^th, 2014, 11:39am

TV Ratings show the following:-
BBC One was the most watched channel for the whole of Saturday, The evening coverage averaged 3.06m (19.5%)

ITVs most watched programme had 2.72m (18%) Star Wars got 1.5m (9.4%).

Overall BBC One got 21.6% share on Saturday, ITV 6.1%, C4 6.1% C5 3.5%.

The first evening of the Commonwealth Games got an average of 3.63m (20.5%) on BBC One from 7pm.

The opening ceremony peaked at 9.42m (43.6%. The whole programme averaged 7.59m (41.1%).

The Open Golf Championship final had a peak audience of 5.5m (33.9%) at 6.30 pm.

Source: TV RatingsUK

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by Amigo on Jul 27^th, 2014, 3:09pm

The viewing figures are all well and good, however how many people were NOT watching UK TV as there was no realistic alternative?

Surely this is a time to amalgamate the 2 BBC children's channels and create one sports network, leaving BBC One to carry 'proper' programmes, rather than endless, tedious, boring sport?
Children will be 'outside', 'on holiday' or even 'away'.

With the red Button, and "BBC Three Sport" there is enough space.

Why does BBC One have to carry the sport anyway? As soon as a 'Brit' is in a Final of some sort scheduling chaos ensues, planned programmes are not recorded, and other networks side-lined.

Can someone explain to me why BBC News channel HAS to simultaneously broadcast BBC One when these events occur?

It's not news.

Just as BBC Parliament is available to the vast majority of the UK population either by Satellite or Freeview, why does the BBC News channel insist in carrying the same pictures during PMQs?

There is the 'Strap' across the bottom of the screen. If we (the viewer) wants to see or hear the speech, it's available. BBC Parliament.

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by Dickie Mint on Jul 27^th, 2014, 8:42pm

The irony is that it's the games which are the minority! Much as any sport totally bores me, the World Cup quarter and final got far more viewers. And normal Saturday night programmes get more.

Even "New Tricks" repeats get more viewers!

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by EyeTunes on Jul 28^th, 2014, 8:32am

Amigo is making some valid points about Sport. Occasionally I switch to Radio 5 for a quick bulletin, but during much of the day it is covering a sports event-with the normal daily schedule re-adjusted. Even when not, I am horrified that often a breaking leading news item of worldwide importance -this is announced swiftly followed by the presenter launching into irrelevant news of the Premier League.
Thus Radio 5 --and of course it's dedicated Radio 5 extra" are now the Sports Channels.
God help the BBC if Seb Coe becomes Chairman. Sport will be everywhere, even BBC staff will be issued with trainers and track suits and told to run around on their tippie toes.

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by JohnW on Jul 28^th, 2014, 9:37am

Like many, I'm not a 'Sport fanatic'. I do watch a bit of several sports, and even enjoy much of it - except football, that is.
For instance ITV4's coverage of Le Tour was really super - not just for the cycling but for the display of the countryside around the route. So much better than what the Beeb seems to serve up.
Indeed, I've even enjoyed some of the coverage of the Rugby Sevens up in Glasgow this weekend (even if the "directing" of the coverage has been of a very low standard!) as well as the Squash coverage. [I do hope this doesn't turn out to be what the 6 Nations coverage will become!] But sad that Wales weren't ..... enough!

However none of this can assist me in understanding why - for example when the BBC was showing Tennis from Wimbledon - it was "necessary" to switch a match from BBC 2 to BBC 1. And that's just an example of what the schedulers can(and do) do.
Can anyone show me an area (or 'platform') where BBC 2 is not available and BBC 1 is? Even in terms of coverage ...?

And how come, with BBC 3 under threat of becoming a web-only service, it can "magically" be broadcasting from morning to night for the Commonwealth Games, when it can't do the same for Glastonbury or any of the other music festivals? [I counted BBC 1, BBC 3, RB 301 and RB 302 all broadcasting the CG sport on Sunday afternoon - and that was without what was available online!]

It seems as if I'm getting to sound more like Victor Meldrew every day (as Margaret keeps telling me).

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by Micro on Jul 28^th, 2014, 12:53pm

I'm not sure what the exact population of UK is, say at least 60 million. So if only 3 million watched the Games on Saturday, 57 million didn't. That means my licence fee is being squandered on 5% of the population.

I want my money back !

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by EyeTunes on Jul 28^th, 2014, 1:27pm

Yes-it's Micro who has the fundamental point here. Whilst BBC1 programme planners in their wildest dreams would never hope for 60 million viewers(100%), that surely MUST be the base line for any analytical audience calculation, rather than bARB conjured proportions and percentages.

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by Bill_M on Jul 28^th, 2014, 11:16pm

My television has been switched off since the start of the games and will remain so until they are finished. I hate televised sport! I am not interested in watching people running and jumping or throwing things.

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by CB on Jul 30^th, 2014, 1:47pm

Here, Here, thank goodness for the radio and the Proms >:( >:(

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by Dickie Mint on Jul 30^th, 2014, 8:27pm

Interestingly Soap fans managed what the BBC don't think sports fans can. Switch over to BBC2 to find it. According to DigitalSpy, for example, last night (Tuesday):

Games average = 4.11M

On BBC2,
Eastenders = 4.88M
Holby City = 3.41M

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by Mikej on Jul 30^th, 2014, 9:31pm

To John W.
Not talking about your saturation coverage, but it is necessary to switch the Games from BBC1 to BBC 2 at various times as for news and regional programmes, only BBC 1 has the regional opt-out facilities needed. BBC2 is only available as a regional feed to Scotland/Wales and Nortern Ireland.
I guess they want the Games on BBC1 as it is considered the mainstay of BBC programming.

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by JohnW on Jul 31^st, 2014, 12:24am

Thanks Mikej.
As ever, it seems to be "for the convenience of the Beeb, and bu**er the poor viewer/listener".
But then they go and shift the News to BBC 2 at the drop of some "major" event ... Bah!!

I was irritated by the tennis swapping as my aged mother (95) who can't move around very well, had to keep switching to follow the match as it was swapped around! Somehow they never think of the old people when doing these things.

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by Dickie Mint on Jul 31^st, 2014, 7:36pm

Mike is right about opts on BBC2. Back in the early days of digital TV, when regional feeds went through the regions, BBC engineers (as always) did make provision for opts on BBC1 or BBC2. But when digital rolled out to the sub regions (Hull, Cambridge, etc) management made the decision to save money and avoid new kit by utilising the BBC1/BBC2 switch to provide the sub region. We did ask at a minuted meeting whether opts on BBC2 were required or not, pointing out the problems.

Now that Coding and Mux has been pulled back from the regions and centralised, opting on BBC2 would be relatively easier and much cheaper.

I've lost the link but a BBC1 "mission" statement says it's the BBC's prime channel and big events would be on it. So sad. Everyone can get all channels and most are intelligent enough to know how to!

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by EyeTunes on Aug 1^st, 2014, 8:14am

Re channel swapping! Why does it still go on doing this when Tony Hall keeps banging on about the BBC having to deliver to increasingly savvy and sophisticated audiences capable of finding programmes wherever/whatever/ whenever they like via their remotes and of course by Iplayer/phone/ipad etc?
I have a gut sense that it is the scheduling department gatekeeping their self importance and ignoring the customer.

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by Dickie Mint on Aug 2^nd, 2014, 8:14pm

I can't find a link to the statement made to this question asked of the BBC Controller. But this sort of covers the attitude. It's all to do with BBC1 being the "flagship" channel.

"Controller’s vision for the service in 2013/2014
I aim to maintain and grow BBC One’s position as the most watched and hugely appreciated channel in the UK. It is the job of the channel to combine programmes of the highest quality and distinctiveness with a tone and approach that allows them to appeal to the widest possible audiences. "

B*ll*cks!

Title: Re: The Games-What about the minority?
Post by EyeTunes on Aug 4^th, 2014, 9:08am

COMMONWEALTH GAMES SPECIAL- To commemorate the closing of the most successful Commonwealth Games ever held anywhere-BBC1 all day coverage-starting at 09.54 today- will focus on how long it took to vacate the stadium after the closing ceremony, the hugely successful contributions from Glasgow city council, LIVE COVERAGE of the biggest sweep up ever.Gary Linnekar chairs this dazzling all day event and Huw Edwards presents a special roundup focussing on the historical legacy of the Games and what they mean to future generations. The programme ends with an entertaining 60 MINUTE weather forecast from Glasgow.