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BBC olympic coverage

(62 Posts)
Granb Mon 30-Jul-12 07:03:50

BBC has done a good job of ensuring that we have wall to wall coverage of the Games but..... please could someone explain why they have made 'personalities' of some athletes but not others - surely they all deserve 'special' treatment (personally I think they are all awesome).

POGS Fri 03-Aug-12 00:31:58

I have found myself watching more olympic coverage this time than I have ever done in the past.

I think that's because it has been staged in Britain and I can't help but think how lovely all the venues have been. It certainly shows our country off to it's advantage and let's hope that whilst there is a so-called lack of tourism money it will be a good advert for years to come.

The only problem I have I love Weymouth so much I hope it does'nt get more custom, I want to keep my little piece of heaven for myself. What do you say Dorsetpent?.

crimson Fri 03-Aug-12 16:23:15

Mark Foster [? ie the one who isn't Ian Thorpe] is a tad gorgeous is he not [or is it just me?].....Am I right in thinking that Clare was the only one who did her homework for the Jubilee?

MrsJamJam Fri 03-Aug-12 16:34:28

I am probably the most unsporty person on the planet. Spent my secondary school years perfecting a multitude of ways to get out of doing anything which might work up a sweat (Yuk!), or hurt, or mess up my hair. All useful skills for the rest of life!

BUT - I am loving all this Olympic stuff and think that the BBC are doing us proud. Really good at explaining what is going on to those of us who haven't a clue.

We went to Weymouth on the spur of the moment yesterday. The park and ride organisation was superb and made it very easy. (Do hope we haven't ruined Weymouth for you, POGS.) Sat in the sun watching some thrilling sailing on big screens on the beach, team GB really upped their game, and we had a lovely lunch in a little cafe. Brilliant day out.

Mishap Fri 03-Aug-12 17:04:48

The only thing that I want to watch in the olympics is the tennis and it is very hard to find! It said it would be on BBC1 - not there! BBC2? - not there! Luckily my OH is technically minded and suggested we try BBCHD - and there it was! But there was no way of knowing this as the BBCHD timetable did not show it. Not much point in paying commentators if you don't tell viewers where to find it!

POGS Fri 03-Aug-12 17:06:28

Mrs. Jam Jam.

Oh so jealous, you lucky devils. Do you think the reports about Weymouth suffering financial losses could be accurate?. I find that a hard story to swallow.

Just love the place. Do you think there might be a punch up at the finals between us and the Danes?

Annobel Fri 03-Aug-12 17:12:57

Mishap, you can find everything on the red button, if you have satellite or cable digital.

MrsJamJam Fri 03-Aug-12 18:30:02

Mishap I think you can find all the individual sports on the BBC website and watch them online. They do seem to vary from the published schedules on a bit of a whim.

POGS - Weymouth seemed pretty full yesterday, but not so packed that you couldn't find a seat easily in the cafes. Maybe people coming to watch the sailing are happy sitting in the sun and are not spending much money in the town.

Ben Ainsley has done brilliantly today - wonderful tactics. Bet it will be a riveting tussle over the weekend. I'll be trying to watch online as can't quite get to grips with the red button. Need a child here to sort it!!

POGS Fri 03-Aug-12 18:43:27

Mrs JamJam.

Thanks for taking the time. smile

gracesmum Fri 03-Aug-12 18:46:18

crimson - I'm with you there, he does a very nice line in close-fitting shirts, doesn't he? smile

Annobel Fri 03-Aug-12 19:03:18

In my DS's house, I've been using the red button on Sky - though the channels are all BBC - and the various sports are very clearly set out. Tomorrow I'll be at home with my Virgin digital. Hope it's equally user-friendly.

GillieB Fri 03-Aug-12 20:07:07

Another one here who can't stand Claire Balding - why do the BBC persist, once they think they have found someone they think the public likes, in ramming that person down our throats. They did this with Alan Titmarsh - he was quite normal when he first started broadcasting. Send Claire Balding back to horse racing and leave her there!

crimson Fri 03-Aug-12 20:27:02

She doesn't work for the BBC; she's a freelance. They don't have to use her if they don't want to. I'd love Clare to come back full time to racing and I'm hoping she'll join Channel 4 when they take over completely as the BBC have stopped showing horse racing. gracesmum; not an ounce of fat...oooer. And that steely grey hair. Oh my blush....

gracesmum Fri 03-Aug-12 20:30:55

Down girl!!grin

Annobel Fri 03-Aug-12 20:47:23

And wasn't he sensational when he took his shirt off in Strictly!

nanaej Fri 03-Aug-12 21:04:08

our family like Clare B.. she comes across as normal and human ..WISIWYG!

The DGC have all got excited by the Olympics and enjoyed watching all the events and DGD1 is almost bursting with excitement about our trip to Eton Dorney on Monday! Hooray for the Olympics.. just wish they could be done without so much expenditure!

MaggieP Fri 03-Aug-12 21:04:38

So far the Olympics have been so exciting and almost not enough time to watch it all, we switch from one channel to another, today tennis, sailing, Heptathlon, swimming,and so on, everything else at home gets forgotten!
Some of the coverage appears biased but overall, I am enjoying the commentators, and Clare Balding is delightful. Come on Team GB flag

Ella46 Fri 03-Aug-12 21:10:11

Mishap the tennis has certainly been on today on BBC 3. Fantastic matches with Federer and then Andy Murray and wotsisface. Brilliant, but not as good as the BBC coverage of Wimbledon. You could really tell the difference.

Charlotta Fri 03-Aug-12 22:49:46

There is something rather 'jolly hockeysticks' about Claire Balding's voice. Too much like a head girl. I bet she was head girl at her school. Now I've dated myself because I don't know whether schools still have head girls when everything is co-educational.
What does WISIWYG mean?

Anagram Fri 03-Aug-12 22:55:36

Apparently it's an acronym for What You See is What you Get - and don't ask me why it isn't WYSIWYG! I'm getting a bit exasperated by all these internet acronyms...hmm

crimson Fri 03-Aug-12 23:20:12

Well, her father and brother train/trained racehorses for the Queen so she's a bit on the posh side. I don't think she'd be head girl material, though as she's very self effacing. Her dad trained one of the greatest racehorses ever [Mill Reef] and her Uncle Toby trained a couple of Grand National winners. We've spoken to her on the racetrack but that's nothing unusual because most people in racing are very friendly and approachable, one exception possibly [and surprisingly] being Frankie Dettori. I suppose sometimes something will happen that changes your perception of someone and, for me it was when a favourite racehorse died and, having written to her I got a lovely letter back. She was also very pleased that I'd thanked her for handling the broadcast that day so well [she'd only just started out on the telly]. She's one of those people that I'd put in the bracket of 'I'd be happy to sit in a pub and have a jolly good natter with'.

susiecb Sat 04-Aug-12 04:58:10

I'm not a sports fan but DH is big time and he tries not too bore me but he does LOVE the athletics particularly having been a very good runner in his day (think Chariots of Fire era) so I have been watching the Olympics and trying to get interested but sorry nothing happening for me. Its been a week now - pleeeeeeeeeeese can I watch something else except repeats. I am watching Twenty Twelve all through on BT VIsion which is very funny and my DS has turned into Kay Hope and I have turned into Sally the secretary when chtting on the phone to each other. I didnt enjoy the opening ceremony - not a big fan of musical dancing nurses and minors etc and I am not watching the closing ceremony. How to get DH to go out next Friday night that is the question - or is it perhaps I can get a Ladies night at Wetherspoons organised!!!

gracesmum Sat 04-Aug-12 20:44:21

Am I alone in sensing an atmosphere between Gary Linneker and Ian Thorpe? On 2 occasions Gary has said something and Thorpe has responded quite sharply implying the great G is talking less than wisdom. I like Ian Thorpe and enjoyed his partnership with Mark Foster and Clare Balding, but this is a different atmosphere. I am no particular fan of Gary L, but they are definitely rubbing each other up the wrong way!

Tabitha2 Sat 04-Aug-12 22:32:17

At last I have found someone else who is not an Olympoholic!
I am patriotic but not a bit sporty , I have a lot of respect for the athletes but with so many repeats of repeats not to mention all the news on TV and radio being totally dominated with sport I am longing for it to be finished!

jeni Sat 04-Aug-12 22:42:00

Couldn't agree more!( but even I couldn't help but watch Mo!

jeni Sat 04-Aug-12 22:52:47

Night all!