BBC apologises to rugby fans
November 29, 2010 · 0 Comments
The BBC has today issued an apology after Welsh rugby fans missed the start of the nations clash with New Zealand after the broadcaster chose to broadcast the end of Andy Murray’s defeat to Rafael Nadal.
BBC Two viewers missed the opening seven minutes and a dramatic start to the much anticipated game which saw Stephen Jones take Wales into an early lead. The rugby kick-off was made available by the BBC on the Red Button interactive service and was also shown live on the Welsh-language channel S4C.
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis said that it was a “schoolboy error” by schedulers, while some viewers had missed out as they did not know how to use the Red Button.
“My concern is this action was symptomatic of an increasing marginalisation of Wales by decision makers in London,” he said. “On this occasion BBC TV bosses in London decided what BBC viewers in Wales could or could not see of a major sporting event taking place in our own country.”
Lewis said that the BBC had known well in advance about the kick-off time and therefore could have made contingency plans to accommodate the tennis.
The BBC apologised to viewers, but said that as the tennis was close to a conclusion the decision was made to stay with the Murray game so as not to disappoint tennis fans.
“The Andy Murray versus Rafael Nadal match went on much longer than expected and had reached a pivotal moment, a tie break in the deciding set,” said the corporation. As such we felt we had to stay with the match to its conclusion. This resulted in viewers missing the first seven minutes of play from the Wales v New Zealand rugby match.”
“The match was made available on the Red Button, which was communicated both verbally and visually on screen. We went straight to the rugby the moment the tennis had finished. We apologise if this caused any inconvenience to rugby fans in Wales and elsewhere.”
Tags: BBC, New Zealand, Wales, WRU
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