Coverage frustrating but Games a spectacle

THE frustrations expressed in the letter from Johannes Brienesse (ODT, 10.4.18) concerning TVNZ’s woeful coverage of the Commonwealth Games is widely shared. Let me offer a revealing example.

The broadcast on April 10 of cycling’s women’s time trial (in which New Zealand’s Linda Villumsen took the silver medal) lasted a total of 63 minutes from start to the final results list. Of this total, I carefully timed a staggering 21 minutes of repetitious advertising and promotional breaks.

The earlier track cycling events coverage was similarly infuriating, with numerous key tactical moments in often complicated races masked by such interruptions.

We can be wearily sure that TVNZ will respond that coverage is only possible through advertising revenue. This misses the point. It is the broadcaster’s responsibility to provide informed editorial/ production judgement in appropriately timing coverage of Games’ events.

To fail in this role is wholly disrespectful of athletic endeavour in any sport, and exasperating for interested viewers. Peter Leech

Dunedin

I HAVE just spent a frustrating three hours trying to watch both the women’s shot put (Valerie Adams) and pole vault (Eliza McCartney) final events at the Commonwealth Games on TVNZ’s coverage.

Any sense of continuity in competition and buildup was quite lost by the frequent advertisement breaks scattered throughout both events. It even got to the point where there was often a screen message to advise the viewer when and how long the next advertising break was going to be and irrespective of what was happening in either event.

I challenge TVNZ to provide a satisfactory explanation for this advertising ‘‘fiasco’’, which must have completely spoilt watching these events for many New Zealanders, to say nothing of detracting from the hopedfor commercial impact of the advertisements.

My mind now boggles at the prospect of TVNZ obtaining screening rights to the next Rugby World Cup — in addition to the usual advertisements being shown before, at halftime, and after a game, they might also be shown during all injury breaks and even squeezed into the brief time between a referee blowing their whistle and the ball being thrown in to the ensuing lineout or scrum, or a goal kick being taken. Barrie M. Peake

Belleknowes

THE lie has been put to the Commonwealth Games being irrelevant and anachronistic due to the spectacle, athletic achievement and sheer enjoyment of the XXI Games on the Gold Coast.

Long may the Games prosper and long may the beer of their detractors curdle.

A shared history and a shared heritage is the recipe for the Friendly Games — a thankful distance from the scandal and alleged corruption of the Olympic Games events. Mark Ryan

Maryhill

WHAT to award TVNZ for its insensitive, disorganised and bumbling coverage of the Commonwealth Games?

Gold? Silver? Bronze? Tin? Rust? None of the above?

Regardless, TVNZ undoubtedly will still award those responsible undeserved performance bonuses, so all is well. Or is it? Joe Enright

Mosgiel

Coffee rates

I DON’T know where Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead buys his coffee (ODT, 12.4.18), but I have yet to be charged $6.085c for a cup of coffee in New Zealand.

Margot Childerstone

Hampden