The BBC want to know what we think...

Be careful about what you wish for. The BBC will almost certainly deliver a programme with two loud-mouthed, simple-minded "celebrities" who think that hysteria is a substitute for interesting comment sampling (in 20 seconds packages) a variety of boats in an Olympic size pool (since open water is not compatible with health and safety). c.f. Around the World in 80 Days.
 
clouty said:
The bbc consultation on BBC1, 2, and 4 is asking for our views - see here

https://consultations.external.bbc....eview-of-television/consultation/consult_view
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Your link does not work, please could you double check?

Just a few months ago I filed a formal complaint with the BBC for their excessive coverage of so called darts and snooker "world" championships (funny there are only a handful of countries represented, as most of the world is not interested in these games), and total lack of coverage, not even one article, of the Vendee Globe. Darts and snooker coverage spans across several days, and in prime time.

Following that I took the initiative to ask about 50 people, some in my circle of acquaintances, some casually met, what their interest was in darts and snooker. None, and I say none (all of them English) showed any interest in the games. Most were even embarassed of such coverage. I followed up to my complaint with my findings and I received a reply from the BBC. Although I was satisfied that my complaint was given some attention by their management (as they stated), they dismissed it altogether.

But I am a foreigner and unlike English use to do (or not to do), if I am not happy about something, I do complain directly.

I think that if there were more people complaining to the BBC about their disproportionate coverage of some events to the detriment of other popular events, like sailing for example, we could get them back on track.

Here is a link to BBC complaints:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/forms/
 
I think much of the coverage we get, and there is not that much, tends to be elitist which does little good for the sport. I would have thought something based on a year in the life of a sailing club, which would show the effort involved in making a club work, the enjoyment and social aspects and if the right club is chosen the reality that sailing does not have to be elitist nor the preserve of the mega rich. I do think there is a missed opportunity in telling the every day story of sailing.

Editied to add the link doesn't work for me either.
 
maxi77 said:
I would have thought something based on a year in the life of a sailing club, which would show the effort involved in making a club work, the enjoyment and social aspects and if the right club is chosen the reality that sailing does not have to be elitist nor the preserve of the mega rich.
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And all the backbiting and arguments / confrontations would make East Enders look civilised. :D
 
I have similarly complained to no avail about the extent to which cricket drowns out all other sports on Radio 4 LW. Even when play is postponed because of rain the commentators drone on for hours trying to fill the gaps.

Cricket is one of the sports that the English, year on year, do least well in but the Beeb have now taken to reporting matches in the winter in the S. Hemisphere as well.

As a competitive swimmer in my youth (I was also captain of the local youth cricket team) I remember hearing the BBC announce a new world swimming record. They didn't even take the time to say what time that was!

R4 is all that I can receive on the radio in Brittany. I and many other expats enjoy keeping up to date with happenings at home through the radio.

I recently watched the film "Wind" which was losely based on the time America lost and then regained the America's Cup. In it they showed the Television simulating each move of the boats on the screen and explaining the tactics the boats were using so that even the non-initiated could understand and enjoy the tension. Watching a close-tacking duel coming up to the finish was far more exciting than any cricket match.....

John :-))
 
Sybarite said:
I have similarly complained to no avail about the extent to which cricket drowns out all other sports on Radio 4 LW.
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At least cricket may be considered a sport. But I really have issues with the definition of darts and snooker as sport.

Cricket is also quite pictoresque to watch.

But going back to sailing, the more complain to BBC the better the chances we will have the next Vendee Globe covered.
 
I'm not complaining about cricket as a sport as such (well not really) but rather the air-time given to it - hours and hours for day after day to the exclusion of nearly every other sport.

Moreover the coverage relates to an English team and not a British team..; it is after all the B and not the EBC..!!

John
 
haydude said:
Following that I took the initiative to ask about 50 people, some in my circle of acquaintances, some casually met, what their interest was in darts and snooker. None, and I say none (all of them English) showed any interest in the games. Most were even embarassed of such coverage. I followed up to my complaint with my findings and I received a reply from the BBC. Although I was satisfied that my complaint was given some attention by their management (as they stated), they dismissed it altogether.

.

]
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You have to remember that you and your friends are not representative of a large chunk of the UK population which is very happy to slump in front of the box watching darts and snooker - particularly now drink/drive laws make it difficult for them to actually get out and watch/participate for real. It is also very cheap to produce. 2 cameras and a minor celeb as commentator and away you go! The BBC is after all a publically funded provider and has to satisfy majority needs as well as elites and minorities.

Not supporting what they do - just explaining why they do it.
 
Don't know what you lot are whinging about. During this year the Wild Show did a whole hour on SIPR - mostly on the fragrant Desirée being unwell; they didn't even mention the stalwart winners of Class III - did interview our runners, though - and during WHYW I carted a Beeb reporter around for one round the cans race that turned into about 30 minutes of (embarrassing) broadcast.
 
link

The link to the bbc trust consultation page worked for me - perhaps because there is some glitch for windows users - I'm operating on a mac. Here's another one

https://consultations.external.bbc....-review-of-television/consultation/television

which is the page you get to when you click the link on the first page I gave you.

Or copy this

consultations.external.bbc.co.uk/departments/bbc/bbc-trust-review-of-television/consultation/television

and past to your browser's window... Sorry I'm not the best at this mark-up stuff... :confused:

Gosh! I started a popular thread! :cool:

Seriously, wouldn't it be nice to have programmes that reflected the myriad realities of sailing as we know it? Go on, give it a try - what is there to loose? Oh. Maybe up to half an hour, filling in the boxes.. ;)
 
This seems rather topical at the moment. Only a day or so ago there was a list on the news of the so-called Crown Jewels of Sport that our beloved government thinks should be available on free-to-view tv.

Can't recall in a lot of detail but football seemed to cover the majority. I personally loath the game with a passion.

I also recall an old thread complaining about World Darts, or something similar. I followed the post and duly complained to the BBC but, alas, to no avail.

On the basis that there are about 60 million of us glued to the one eye'd monster, I don't think the chances to get more sailing broadcast are good, but the worlds loves a try'er.

Interestingly, whenever anything does appear on the screen, there usually follows about 50% negative feedback on forums for the following few days. If we want to pick issue with content and editorial, it probably isn't meeting the criteria of educate, inform and amuse!:rolleyes:
 
clouty said:
I wonder whether others feel there is not enough sailing on tele?

The bbc consultation on BBC1, 2, and 4 is asking for our views - see here

https://consultations.external.bbc....eview-of-television/consultation/consult_view

We could ask that they produce programmes like Dylan Winters' wonderful work.

It doesn't all have to be about Cowes Week ;)
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It's all a matter of popularity I'm afraid allied to cost.
If it sells well it will possibly be of interest to tv co.

Personally I will 'normally watch anything that floats' according to my wife, but I do get great comfort in watching Dylans footage with his dry wit and exclamations, especially those directed towards 'twassocks' on jet skiis
 
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