The BBC has today come under fire for its Winter Olympics coverage, with viewers lamenting the lack of live sports across its network.
Though this year’s winter games are not officially opened until Friday, competitions are well underway in Beijing, with British stars Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat already notching a notable win against Canada in the mixed doubles Curling.
But while Team GB are keeping their cool on the ice, fans back at home are already losing their patience with the BBC over its lack of live sports.
It follows on from criticism of the Beeb’s coverage of the summer Olympics in Tokyo last year, when sports fans slammed the broadcaster’s ‘pitiful’ offering of ‘constant highlights’ and ‘too much talking’ from TV hosts.
Instead of being able to watch all their favourite winter sports live with wall-to-wall coverage, fans are again being offered just a slice of the action, with the BBC allowed just two live feeds at any one time.
Those wanting to see their favourite sports live and in full are having to fork out for Discovery+. The US-owned streaming service shelled out almost £1billion in 2016 to secure European broadcasting rights for the Olympics.
Fans have today taken to social media to vent their frustration, with some describing the lack of BBC coverage as ‘very annoying’.
But others have defended the Beeb, describing it as a ‘real shame’ and blaming funding freezes – at a time when the future of the corporation’s licence fee is under the spotlight.
Though this year’s winter games are not officially opened until Friday, competitions are well underway in Beijing, with Team GB stars Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat already notching a notable win against Canada in the mixed doubles Curling (pictured)
Taking to Twitter, one sports fan wrote: ‘Very annoyed the BBC got shafted over the Olympics, so I’ve just had to pay a fiver to watch ALL of the curling for the next two weeks instead of it just being on the BBC like it was last time, and the time before that.’
Another wrote: ‘So Discovery have bought up the rights to the Winter Olympics too?
‘I hate it. All the fun of watching communally, which is probably most of the fun, just up in a puff of smoke. Booo.’
On sports fan wrote: ‘FFS the BBC lost the rights to the majority of the winter Olympics coverage as well didn’t they?’
Another wrote: ‘Has the BBC been hampered with broadcast rights restrictions from Discovery+ again for this Olympics?
‘As I feel it wrong to make any part of the Olympics behind a subscription-wall. All Olympic events should always be on free-to-air public broadcast.’
Others contemplated paying for the subscription, with one fan writing: ‘Do I want to pay to watch the winter Olympics since the BBC is no longer allowed to show every skater?
‘It’s hard to feel the enthusiasm anymore.’
However others slammed viewers for moaning, with one fan writing: ‘Watch it on Discovery+ is easier.
‘The BBC will get what its given and should be grateful. Viewers moaned during the last Olympics.
Meanwhile, some sports fans defended the BBC, with one writing: ‘Delighted to see that unlike so many other top sports, I will be able to watch the Winter Olympics, live on the BBC.
‘My Smartbox will be working overtime at night recording it. Well done BBC Sport.’
Another added: ‘It’s true the BBC has always tried hard to provide value for money for every one of its licence fee payers, so for that reason I don’t mind at all that Radio One and similar stations are funded by the licence.
‘Right now I am enjoying the first of the Olympic Curling matches. All part of my 43p (a day).’
Just like last year’s summer Olympic games in Tokyo, the BBC’s coverage of live sports at this year’s Winter Olympics will be severely scaled-back.
That is because Discovery+, via its Eurosports network, have the European streaming rights for the Olympics.
The network, owned by American multinational media giant Discovery, perhaps best known for its flagship Discovery Channel, bought the rights for £920million back in 2016.
It means those wanting to watch every moment live will need to have a Discovery+ subscription.
The network is promising subscribers access to up to 15 simultaneous events and special ‘pop-up channels’ for the most popular sports such as ice hockey and hurling.
The BBC, meanwhile, will be limited to just two live streams at any one time. But the Beeb is still vowing to screen more than 300 hours of live coverage across BBC One and BBC Two.
There will also be additional coverage available on a second live digital stream on BBC iPlayer, the red button and the BBC Sport website.
Beijing, where the Winter Games are taking place this year, is eight hours behind the UK, meaning most of the live action will take place while it is late into the evening here.
Great Britain will be sending a 50-strong team to Beijing, hoping to improve on its 2018 performance in Pyeongchang, South Korea, where Skeleton star Lizzy Yarnold secured Team GB’s only gold medal.
The latest criticism of the BBC’s Olympics coverage comes after the corporation faced criticism over its broadcasting of the delayed 2020 Olympics, which took place in Tokyo last year.
Just like last year’s summer Olympic games in Tokyo, the BBC’s coverage of live sports at this year’s Winter Olympics will be severely scaled-back. Pictured: Great Britain’s Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat with Canada’s John Morris and Rachel Homan during their Mixed Doubles match during Round Robin Session 2 at the National Aquatics Centre, Beijing
The network is promising subscribers access to up to 15 simultaneous events and special ‘pop-up channels’ for the most popular sports such as ice hockey and hurling. Pictured: Makayla Gerken Schofield of Great Britain in action competes at Freestyle Skiing Moguls training during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games
The BBC will be limited to just two live streams at one time. However the Beeb is still vowing to screen more than 300 hours of live coverage across BBC One and BBC Two. Pictured: Rupert Staudinger of Britain speeds past the Olympic rings during a men’s luge training run at the 2022 Winter Olympics
Last year the decision to show highlights of a rugby sevens match instead of live Team GB women’s hockey game was criticised, with the Beeb failing to take up their ability to even show more than one live event on that occasion.
‘You do realise this game was on at the very reasonable time of 08.30am UK time,’ wrote one angry fan at the time.
‘You could’ve shown it live instead… Honestly can’t belief how p*ss poor this coverage is. Been watching for 2 hours and seen exactly zero live events.’
Another agreed about the lack of live action and suggested the BBC were too eager to show repeats of Team GB athletes performing and speaking to the media – with Tom Daley and Matty Lee’s triumph being circulated a number of times.
‘Anyone know of any free to view places showing the Olympics? The BBC’s coverage is pitiful,’ the user wrote.
‘Good on Team GB, but let us watch other sports taking place instead of repeating the same few things 100 times.’
Viewers were also far from impressed last year with the amount of talking taking place between TV presenter and guests inside the BBC studios, with some claiming producers were trying to get emotional reactions.
‘BBC coverage of the Olympics are freaking me out,’ said another fan. ‘Five minutes sport, 30 minutes torturous attempts to provoke an emotional response from family members, commentators, studio guests, passers-by, ice-cream salesmen….. anyone…’
The row comes at a time when the BBC’s funding has been heavily in the spotlight, following the announcement of a licence fee freeze last month.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries confirmed in January that the licence fee will be frozen at £159 for two years until 2024, after which it will rise in line with inflation for the following four years.
She also suggested the licence fee review would be ‘the last’, amid speculation the Government could push the BBC towards a privately funded model in the future to allow it to compete with streaming giants such as Netflix.
The announcement sparked BBC Director General Tim Davie called for a ‘full process involving public consultation’ on what will happen to the licence fee and said her announcement on the pricing had been a ‘surprise’.
He and two other senior BBC executives gave evidence to the Public Accounts Committee last week on reform and sustainability at the public service broadcaster.
Asked about what should happen next, Mr Davie said today: ‘We have a charter for six years and there needs to be a full process involving public consultation.
‘And I don’t think it’s for one person to decide the funding model of the BBC. We need to go through that properly. And I think the licence fee has proven itself to be very strong in what it delivers.
‘But that’s not to say that the BBC is dug in behind… we absolutely want to go through a process and listen to the public on that. That’s what needs to happen.’
He was also asked by MPs whether he was surprised that Ms Dorries tweeted that there was an announcement imminent on the licence fee.
BBC director general Tim Davie at the Public Accounts Committee in Westminster today
BBC chief financial officer Glyn Isherwood (left) and chief operating officer Leigh Tavazia (right) appeared with Mr Davie (centre) in front of the committee today to answer questions
Mr Davie said: ‘As I’ve said publicly we were in the final knockings, so it was expected to have a conclusion within days. It was a surprise, the nature of the announcement in that particular moment.
‘It has come at the end of a long process, so I think it’s fair to say that this has been a process in which we’ve submitted good data, a strong case, there’s been a number of meetings – and the settlement in of itself was not a great surprise.’
And asked if he was expecting the announcement that day, he said: ‘I was not expecting it that day. I was expecting to get an agreement between us within the next few days.
‘I’m not an expert of parliamentary process and announcements, but I was expecting to get communication in the next few days.’
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for a comment.
BT Sport is in talks with Discovery to shake up the UK TV market – and grab events and audience from Sky Sports – with a joint offering that would include the Olympics, Champions League football and Grand Slam tennis
By Kieran Jackson for MailOnline
BT are in exclusive talks with Discovery Inc. about a joint 50/50 offering as a major rival to Sky Sports in the UK sports broadcasting market.
BT Group, who have also been in talks with streaming company DAZN, have announced the negotiations with Discovery – who own Eurosport – to create a ‘new sport and entertainment offering’ in the UK.
The venture would see events such as the Olympics, Premier League football, Champions League football, Grand Slam tennis, cycling Grand Tours and Premiership Rugby all on one entity.
BT (pic, lead presenter Jake Humphrey left, and pundits Rio Ferdinand centre and Joe Cole, right) are in exclusive talks with Discovery Inc. about a joint 50/50 UK venture
BT Sport customers would get access to Discovery Sport’s sport and entertainment content, and vice-versa, including the discovery+ app.
The target is to conclude the negotiations soon for the new company to be operational later in 2022, should the deal be completed and approved.
BT, amongst many, currently have the rights to major Premier League and European football, Premiership Rugby and even aired The Ashes over the winter.
Marc Allera, CEO BT Consumer, said: ‘The proposed joint venture with Discovery, Inc. would create an exciting new sports broadcasting entity for the UK and would act as a perfect home for our BT Sport business.
‘With a shared ambition for growth, as well as the combination of our world class sports assets along with Discovery’s premium sports and entertainment content, our customers will benefit from even more content in more places.’
Eurosport, meanwhile, have the rights to the Olympic Games, Grand Slam tennis, cycling Grand Tours and the winter sport World Cup season amongst others.
BT Sport (who have the rights to the Champions League, left) customers would get access to Discovery Sport’s sport (Olympics, right) and entertainment content and vice-versa
‘We are excited about this opportunity with BT Group to offer consumers a stronger and simplified combined sport offering in the U.K. and Ireland, and, more broadly, to advance our strategy of bringing sports and entertainment to more consumers on the platform of their choice,’ said JB Perrette, President & CEO of Discovery Streaming & International.
‘We are aligned with BT Group on a shared vision to maximize the value and appeal of our respective UK sport assets, and we look forward to concluding a deal in the coming weeks.’
Questions that are yet to be answered are whether the joint venture will be under the BT, Eurosport or a new brand, and whether future rights acquisitions will also be made on a 50/50 basis.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk