‘Too much coverage’: viewers turn off BBC

THE BBC has set up a complaints page for viewers who think there has been too much coverage of the Duke of Edinburgh’s death.

The broadcaster suspended its Friday schedules on BBC One and Two to run a series of programmes about the Duke, while BBC Four was suspended and showed a message urging viewers to switch over for a “major news report”.

On Saturday there were further schedule changes, with BBC One featuring a BBC News special on the Duke from 10am until 2pm.

The special page on its website for people to lodge complaints about its extensive coverage read: “We’re receiving complaints about too much TV coverage of the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

“Please enter your email address below to register a complaint about this – we’ll then send you the BBC’s response as soon as it is available.”

The move has prompted criticism from royal experts. Richard Fitzwilliams, the royal commentator, told Sunday Telegraph: “To put up a special page for complaints is an extraordinary thing to do, as it appears to give them a special legitimacy. It seems to be some sort of bizarre alternative to the online book of condolence. The implication is that complaints have some form of official sanction.

“Since this is clearly not the case, it should be taken down without delay.”

One Tory MP said: “I think the coverage was very appropriate.”

Meanwhile, BBC presenter Charlie Stayt was criticised yesterday by some online commentators for appearing on the BBC Breakfast sofa in a dark blue suit and green tie. His co-presenter Rachel Burden wore black.

Weather presenter Tomasz Schafernaker also wore a blue suit.

Guidance for Royal deaths published online by the BBC in 2005 suggests presenters should wear “sober or black ties/ clothing for the announcement, and should change to sober/black clothing for later broadcasts” on the same day a death is announced.

The BBC comment.