BBC 2012 - The Olympic Broadcaster

Oh, it's not having lyrics is it. Never even thought about that but I guess it will.

Just seen that a choir sings the lyrics, not Elbow's Guy Garvey, and the full track is six minutes long so it really is just a small part that we've heard so far.

Talking of the Olympic Torch Relay, could someone who is good at geography and BBC Nations and Regions compile a list of which regional news programmes will be extended to an hour and on which dates? Unless the BBC have already made a list in a sensible format, I can't find one.

These pages should help...

http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/route/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17358291

Three clicks in Google

http://sport-onthebox.com/2012/03/26/london-2012-olympic-torch-relay-bbc-regions-announce-coverage-plans/

22 May Olympic Torch Live: West, Bristol
24 May Olympic Torch Live: West Midlands, Worcester
25 May Olympic Torch Live: Wales, Cardiff
1 June Olympic Torch Live: North West, Liverpool
6 June Olympic Torch Live: Northern Ireland, Belfast
13 June Olympic Torch Live: Scotland, Edinburgh
15 June Olympic Torch Live: North East, Newcastle
18 June Olympic Torch Live: East Yorks and Lincs, Hull
25 June Olympic Torch Live: Look North (Yorks), Sheffield
29 June Olympic Torch Live: East Midlands, Derby
3 July Olympic Torch Live: East, Peterborough
12 July Olympic Torch Live: South West, Weymouth
13 July Olympic Torch Live: South, Bournemouth
18 July Olympic Torch Live: South East, Dover

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rogermosey/2012/03/torch_relay_sparks_flame_of_in.html

Thank you, Gentlemen.

Opting out of the One Show for these programmes is an interesting move, particularly as they always trail ahead to the next day's programme at the end, which people in one region won't see.

It would be good if the BBC put these shows on the red button (easy on Sky - probably just about possible on Freeview until Euro 2012 kicks in, then Wimbledon) or simply on the News Channel. Unfortunately though considering they're getting special titles it seems like the BBC will just be using The One Show for it's main nationwide relay coverage - although obviously I think after just a few minutes of seeing people pass the flame from one person to the next we won't be wanting to watch it continuously for two months, so making use of the regions makes sense.

I'm sure though most regions could do two or three shows - it's arrival in Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow isn't getting the extended show treatment for example.

I'd quite like to see some News titles in that style. You know, like how they did 2000 Today-style News titles (with the standard bulletin music). That would be cool.

As for the torch relay - I was chatting to some of the guys fitting out the OB vans that'll be covering it. They're just a pair of converted people-carriers, but full of all sorts of interesting technology: self-deploying dishes; wireless mesh networks; radio cam receivers; 3G nodes; video servers. Though maybe I'd best not say any more until they officially announce the coverage plans.

Did anyone else think Meteor Shower?

A few more snippets on the torch relay...
Lighting of the flame in Greece will be live on BBC News - Thursday 17th May
Handover ceremony will be live on BBC Two .... 17th May 5.15-6
Arrival in Cornwall - Special One Show - 18th May 7-8pm.
75% of relay will be live online.

A shame they couldn't find a BBC1/2 slot for the lighting of the flame. Roger Mosey uses the excuse it's in the morning, but they managed a BBC Sport production for the Olympic football draw so an opportunity missed IMO. BBC News will probably miss the flame itself being lit due to obscuring it with a caption telling us the flame is being lit.