BBC Coverage of Masters golf - truly pathetic

[Grey Ghost]

I've been waiting for this tournament in high expectation due to the number of British players in good form and the return of a near 100% Tiger Woods.

The BBC web site advertises they have coverage on-line or via the "red button" option from 3:45 this afternoon. Excellent I think, sort a few things out, mug of tea, few biccies and a few hours coverage before the wife comes home.

TOTAL FAILURE !!!!!!!!

There is no coverage being provided and no message of any sort detailing when it will begin. Given the technology available to the BBC it shouldn't be difficult to keep viewers up to date with failed tranmissions.

I now understand why there is such a furore about how the license fee income is spent as it doe snot appear to be invested in communicating with viewers.....

BBC....British Bullsup Corporation

[mickk]

The Masters commitee only allow a small amount of tv coverage every year, thats why the BBC are struggling.

Heard this on the radio today, so it must be true

[LMC]

mickk said:

The Masters commitee only allow a small amount of tv coverage every year, thats why the BBC are struggling.

Heard this on the radio today, so it must be true

The BBC have been saying that for years. That's why when the proper programme starts tonight you get Ken whatsisface mincing about the greens for an hour before the live stuff begins.

I personally think they're talking bks and would gladly see the Masters and the Open going to Sky sports.

[central]

mickk said:

The Masters commitee only allow a small amount of tv coverage every year

Yeah, I've also heard that.

But why?

[mickk]

central said:

mickk said:

The Masters commitee only allow a small amount of tv coverage every year

Yeah, I've also heard that.

But why?

No idea why, perhaps its to keep the contest that little bit special. Or maybe no one will pay for the rights to screen it.

[skeggysteve]

We have been watching it via the red button for a few hours now.

It did crash once and revert to normal BBC 1 but I just pressed the red button again and all was good.

Live on BBC 2 at 21.00 BTW

[steve z]

The Masters committee dictate how much live coverage can be screened on each of the 4 days, and the pictures are all supplied by the host broadcaster CBS.

The Masters committee are obsessive about keeping their tournament that little bit more special than the others, hence also no on course branding, caddies uniforms etc.

[Zad]

What they said.

The BBC can only show what they are allowed to by the people who own and run the Masters. It is run like a personal fiefdom, with the American version of those ex-army types who like to run UK private golf clubs.

I have the live Amen Corner coverage on here at the moment, with no problems at all. I'm not massively into golf, but the course is looking exceptionally good this year. The Azalea and Dogwood flowers seem to be right at their peak.

[mickk]

Zad said:

The Azalea and Dogwood flowers seem to be right at their peak.

Shoudnt this be in the gardening section?

[JRM]

Well that news has cheered me up a bit I'm afraid. I got in on Thursday al ready to hit the interactive and tuck into a weekend golf-fest, only for there to be a fault at Virgin fking Media.

Rang them up, wasted 15 minutes talking to some numpty in Bangalore who said it was a problem with my set top box (this is my 4th one) and the earliest they could get an engineer out was Monday how utterly st is that!

So anyone know a cheap way to get a BT line back, it's been more than 6 months and they wanted £150 just to reconnect last time I asked