Well Airsound, at least they are consistent:
Thanks for contacting us regarding ‘The Diamond Jubilee: Armed Forces Tribute’ from 19 May on BBC One.
I understand you were unhappy with the presentation and commentary of this programme as you felt it wasn’t of the high standard you’d expect for an event of this kind.
On the day the salute and anthem finished slightly earlier than planned, so the wait for the flypast ended up being longer than expected. Viewers would’ve heard the actual planes in the air, and while the Queen and Prince Phillip were waiting, those watching could hear Prince Phillip laugh with the other guards, and point towards the sky. This is what Eddie Butler referred to as he goes on to say “The Duke of Edinburgh, of course a naval man, looking on as the RAF holds up proceedings.”
Later on however, when the RAF regiment march into the quadrangle, Fiona Bruce does say “With absolute precision, the RAF are making their way into the spot left for them here in the arena.”
Eddie Butler’s comment was a light-hearted one, and Fiona’s would hopefully have assured viewers of this with her description of the RAF’s display. Eddie’s remark wasn’t supposed to be dismissive of the RAF, he was simply trying to communicate to viewers at home why there was a delay and why the Queen and Guardsmen were waiting.
I was sorry to read you were unhappy with other aspects of the day’s coverage, such as interviewing the children present about their drawings. While we try to provide a wide range of programmes across our television output that’ll be of interest to every section of our audience, there’ll inevitably be times, hopefully rare, when what’s on offer doesn’t meet your own particular interests.
Research shows us that in a typical week we do provide a substantial number of programmes which everyone can enjoy, but I’m sorry you’ve been disappointed with the coverage on offer this day.
To that end I’d like to assure you I've registered your complaint on our audience log. This is an internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily and is available for viewing by all our staff. This includes all programme makers and presenters, along with our senior management. It ensures that your points, along with all other comments we receive, are considered across the BBC.
Thanks again for taking the time to contact us.
glojo,
Forgive me but I think you are being disingenuous in your above post. Either that or you are not military or set your standards very low!
The BBC's coverage of the military tribute and the Thames flotilla has been criticised largely and thoroughly by a broad section of British society here, in the written media and on the BBC! The BBC alone received over 4500 complaints - an unprecedented figure in modern day visual media presentation. As I stated, in closing, in my complaint to the BBC (#149 on Page 8):
The Armed Forces personnel on the ground and those in the air had rehearsed all week to ensure that this event went without a hitch. It was self-evident that the BBC producers and, sadly for those roped in to face the cameras or the microphones with a half-baked script, had not prepared themselves in like style! The event was a marvel of military precision - the BBC let the military and her Majesty down badly!
Unfortunately, the BBC in their response to me failed to take note of that point which was, in fact, the main point of my complaint.
We made the effort at Windsor, the sailors et al made the effort on the Thames and the BBC made no effort at either - they used to be the pride of British broadcasting worldwide; sadly no longer can that be stated.
Finally, you say:
Are we expecting to hear specialist knowledge that will cater to those that insist or demand it?
I say - Frankly, YES! They used to employ experts and people who were prepared to put in the effort beforehand - not any more. Now you get some no brain who thinks that he/she is more important than the event and is prepared to cuff it on the day!
Foldie
