BBC's Dire Coverage of the Thames Flotilla and other Jubillee Events

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/34656

Responsible department: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

We the undersigned are appalled at the BBC's dire coverage and
reporting of the Jubilee events especially during the Thames Flotilla
on Sunday June 3. We are particularly concerned at the lack of
professionalism with regards to the presentation, editing and camera
angles. We are shocked at the use of the term 'Her Royal Highness'
when referring to Her Majesty the Queen. We are appalled at the total
lack of knowledge shown by the presenters of the individual boats
appearing in the Flotilla, especially regarding the Historic Boats and
the 'Little Boats of Dunkirk.' We were most disappointed that the
Spirit of Chartwell was not shown passing through Tower Bridge. This
programme was transmitted worldwide and was a national embarrassment.
We are also concerned that the Olympics will be likewise dumbed down.

"CJB" wrote in message
...

BBC's Dire Coverage of the Thames Flotilla and other Jubillee Events

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/34656

Responsible department: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

We the undersigned are appalled at the BBC's dire coverage and
reporting of the Jubilee events especially during the Thames Flotilla
on Sunday June 3. We are particularly concerned at the lack of
professionalism with regards to the presentation, editing and camera
angles. We are shocked at the use of the term 'Her Royal Highness'
when referring to Her Majesty the Queen. We are appalled at the total
lack of knowledge shown by the presenters of the individual boats
appearing in the Flotilla, especially regarding the Historic Boats and
the 'Little Boats of Dunkirk.' We were most disappointed that the
Spirit of Chartwell was not shown passing through Tower Bridge. This
programme was transmitted worldwide and was a national embarrassment.
We are also concerned that the Olympics will be likewise dumbed down.


We would also like our TV licence fee doubled to £291.00 per year, to take
effect immediately, in order to make sure that these once every 300 year
occasions, like the Flotilla, get better coverage next time ;-)

On Thu, 7 Jun 2012 11:37:39 +0100, "Harry Stottle"
wrote:

"CJB" wrote in message
...

BBC's Dire Coverage of the Thames Flotilla and other Jubillee Events

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/34656

Responsible department: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

We the undersigned are appalled at the BBC's dire coverage and
reporting of the Jubilee events especially during the Thames Flotilla
on Sunday June 3. We are particularly concerned at the lack of
professionalism with regards to the presentation, editing and camera
angles. We are shocked at the use of the term 'Her Royal Highness'
when referring to Her Majesty the Queen. We are appalled at the total
lack of knowledge shown by the presenters of the individual boats
appearing in the Flotilla, especially regarding the Historic Boats and
the 'Little Boats of Dunkirk.' We were most disappointed that the
Spirit of Chartwell was not shown passing through Tower Bridge. This
programme was transmitted worldwide and was a national embarrassment.
We are also concerned that the Olympics will be likewise dumbed down.


We would also like our TV licence fee doubled to £291.00 per year, to take
effect immediately, in order to make sure that these once every 300 year
occasions, like the Flotilla, get better coverage next time ;-)

I wonder what the net cost was to the BBC? The pictures were sold to
the worldwide media, so it might actually have made a profit. I also
think the Beeb did a better job on the Monday and Tuesday, so perhaps
it had focused its efforts on those days? And I wonder if the rain
killed some of the cameras, thus limiting the views available? It
certainly caused audio problems.

On 07/06/2012 11:47, Recliner wrote:
I wonder what the net cost was to the BBC? The pictures were sold to
the worldwide media, so it might actually have made a profit. I also
think the Beeb did a better job on the Monday and Tuesday, so perhaps
it had focused its efforts on those days? And I wonder if the rain
killed some of the cameras, thus limiting the views available?

Not as far as I know.


--
Graeme Wall
This account not read, substitute trains for rail.
Railway Miscellany at http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail

On Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:11:13 +0100, Graeme Wall
wrote:

On 07/06/2012 11:47, Recliner wrote:
I wonder what the net cost was to the BBC? The pictures were sold to
the worldwide media, so it might actually have made a profit. I also
think the Beeb did a better job on the Monday and Tuesday, so perhaps
it had focused its efforts on those days? And I wonder if the rain
killed some of the cameras, thus limiting the views available?

Not as far as I know.

It seems that some cameras were indeed killed by the weather, as this
account by Clare Balding indicates: "Balding, a freelance presenter
and not a BBC employee, said staff did the best they could but were
beset by technical problems.

She explained: “There were cameras on nine boats and we had three
working. There was a lot going on that was very, very difficult to
deal with. So you do what you can."
From
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/h...e-Balding.html

The whole article is worth reading, as she puts the problems in
context. And I agree with the Telegraph that she was one presenter who
did do a good job that day (from the Gloriana).

On Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:04:25 +0100
Recliner wrote:
It seems that some cameras were indeed killed by the weather, as this
account by Clare Balding indicates: "Balding, a freelance presenter
and not a BBC employee, said staff did the best they could but were
beset by technical problems.

Perhaps I'm being naive here - but shouldn't outside broadcast equipment
be rainproof? After all , it is going to be used, errm, outside.

B2003

On 07/06/2012 11:37, Harry Stottle wrote:
"CJB" wrote in message
...

BBC's Dire Coverage of the Thames Flotilla and other Jubillee Events

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/34656

Responsible department: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

We the undersigned are appalled at the BBC's dire coverage and
reporting of the Jubilee events especially during the Thames Flotilla
on Sunday June 3. We are particularly concerned at the lack of
professionalism with regards to the presentation, editing and camera
angles. We are shocked at the use of the term 'Her Royal Highness'
when referring to Her Majesty the Queen. We are appalled at the total
lack of knowledge shown by the presenters of the individual boats
appearing in the Flotilla, especially regarding the Historic Boats and
the 'Little Boats of Dunkirk.' We were most disappointed that the
Spirit of Chartwell was not shown passing through Tower Bridge. This
programme was transmitted worldwide and was a national embarrassment.
We are also concerned that the Olympics will be likewise dumbed down.


We would also like our TV licence fee doubled to £291.00 per year, to take
effect immediately, in order to make sure that these once every 300 year
occasions, like the Flotilla, get better coverage next time ;-)



Perhaps a petition about why ITV chose to cover a tennis match rather
than a major state occasion like this.

On Thu 07 Jun 2012, MB wrote:

Perhaps a petition about why ITV chose to cover a tennis match rather
than a major state occasion like this.

Have you thought about how many cameras and cameramen are needed to
cover an event like this? It's quite mind boggling! I remember Princess
Di's funeral when I know they were employing wedding cameramen with sub
broadcast equipment to make up the numbers. No wonder some of the
coverage was poor and it always will be with the dumbed down, casualised
TV industry we now have.

I think ITV made a very good decision not to even attempt to cover it.
As an ex-BBC cameraman myself what upsets me most is that Sky apparently
did a better job than the BBC! This does not bode well for the BBC and
gives ammunition to its knockers, but I'm sad to say they have brought
about their own demise.

Cheers John


--
John Bennett johndotbennettatsmartemaildotcodotuk

On 07/06/2012 15:36, John Bennett wrote:
On Thu 07 Jun 2012, MB wrote:

Perhaps a petition about why ITV chose to cover a tennis match rather
than a major state occasion like this.

Have you thought about how many cameras and cameramen are needed to
cover an event like this? It's quite mind boggling! I remember Princess
Di's funeral when I know they were employing wedding cameramen with sub
broadcast equipment to make up the numbers.

Who are "they"?

No wonder some of the
coverage was poor and it always will be with the dumbed down, casualised
TV industry we now have.

I think ITV made a very good decision not to even attempt to cover it.
As an ex-BBC cameraman myself

Ah, /that/ John Bennett.

what upsets me most is that Sky apparently
did a better job than the BBC! This does not bode well for the BBC and
gives ammunition to its knockers, but I'm sad to say they have brought
about their own demise.



--
Graeme Wall
This account not read, substitute trains for rail.
Railway Miscellany at http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail

On Thu 07 Jun 2012, Graeme Wall wrote:
On 07/06/2012 15:36, John Bennett wrote:
On Thu 07 Jun 2012, MB wrote:

Perhaps a petition about why ITV chose to cover a tennis match
rather than a major state occasion like this.

Have you thought about how many cameras and cameramen are needed
to cover an event like this? It's quite mind boggling! I remember
Princess Di's funeral when I know they were employing wedding
cameramen with sub broadcast equipment to make up the numbers.

Who are "they"?

It was the BBC and I know of some local "amateurs" who were contracted
for the day using their home made OB unit!

No wonder some of the coverage was poor and it always will be with
the dumbed down, casualised TV industry we now have.

I think ITV made a very good decision not to even attempt to cover
it. As an ex-BBC cameraman myself

Ah, /that/ John Bennett.

Could be:-) We've worked together!

what upsets me most is that Sky apparently did a better job than
the BBC! This does not bode well for the BBC and gives ammunition
to its knockers, but I'm sad to say they have brought about their
own demise.

I'm glad I had left before it started going tits up! Did you watch
"Tales of Television Centre" last week? Reminiscing about the Glory Days
of the Beeb!

Cheers John

--
John Bennett johndotbennettatsmartemaildotcodotuk