The 2010 Vancouver Olympics will represent the 14th Winter Olympic Games broadcast by the BBC, a sequence that has run unbroken since the 1960 Games in Squaw Valley, California, USA.
Viewers will be able to access live coverage, the latest news updates and any of those missed magical moments, regardless of the time of day and where they are, through the BBC's extensive TV, radio, online, red button, mobile and BBC iPlayer services.
They can also benefit from the BBC HD channel, where they can watch the coverage from BBC Two with more detailed pictures and sharper shots of fast-moving action than conventional 'standard definition'.
A shame though Freeview viewer will only get one interactive stream (when available). At the very least they could have hijacked BBC Parliament again, which is in recess for most of the games. And by the sounds of it Freeview viewers may just get a looped highlights programme during the day rather than full replays of events from the night.
I know unlike the summer games there isn't guaranteed to be multiple events going on all day every day, but I hope the BBC don't remain fixed to 7-9pm and 11.20pm onwards for their live coverage. Sue, Claire and Hazel at the helm again - don't think it says whether they're in Vancouver or London to host the coverage, though Hazel is commentating on the ceremonies and presenting. Robin Cousins joining Sue to cover the ice skating too, so with his Dancing on Ice commitments perhaps they are in London. [EDIT: Actually in the presenter section they say Hazel and Sue are in Vancouver and Claire is in Whistler (the skiing venue). Robin Cousins also commentating on the ceremonies, but can't see him doing the closing ceremony as it falls on a Sunday]
Lacking an anchor man yet again too, though John Inverdale is obviously tied up with the Six Nations.
IMO a rather uninspiring monochrome opening sequence is revealed on the
Media Guardian
site.
Interesting - I think I like but I'm not too sure. Will the actual coverage get the Buble theme or the usual Ski Sunday theme though, which personally I think they're long overdue moving away from. I wouldn't mind the 1994 Commonwealth Games theme being resurrected considering they're in a very similar part of the world.
If think went really well we could get 5 or 6 gold medals, though in reality we'll be lucky to convert one of those into gold and a couple of further medals with those.
There's a list of events to look out for in that press pack above (the Top 10 moments link) - but most of our potential is on ice, either in curling or in the bobsleigh/luge/skeleton events. Which is why it's absolutely ridiculous that outside of the Winter Olympics the BBC's only coverage of winter sports is the traditional skiing events and occasionally figure skating, when actually year in year out Brits are winning world cup events in the other disciplines mentioned, and at the last games it was events such as the Snowboard Cross which were the most interesting to watch, whilst ski-jump has of course long been one of the most eye catching events.
Talking of figure skating, Sue Barker actually commentating tonight on the red button, though the commentary required isn't a big stretch from the usual presenting requirements.
Seems as if Barry has definitely gone, as he's been replaced by Matt Baker for Gymnastics recently as well.
IMO it's a very unusual presenting line-up at these Olympics. Sue Barker will co-anchor the afternoon highlights show, then commentate on the Ice Skating overnight with Robin Cousins. Hazel Irvine will co-anchor the afternoon show with Sue, then come back for the overnight programme. Meanwhile Clare Balding gets the 'flagship' prime time programme which will include all the skiing and snowboarding events.
It would make more sense to me to have Hazel do the afternoon show solo, then co-anchor the evening show with Sue, providing Sue with her usual prime-time slot, and allowing Hazel to use her expertise on the skiing events. Then have Clare anchor the overnight show, with Sue commentating on the skating.
In terms of the title sequence, I personally think the current version of the Ski Sunday track is superb, and will fit in perfectly with the animated sequence . . . if that's what they plan to do.
In general though, the level of Winter Olympics coverage planned is encouraging . . . the two-hour highlights show and the 7pm-9pm slot really does show a level of commitment not seen for quite a while.
Wouldn't Hazel on the primetime show make the most sense as that will feature most of the skiing. Sue Barker has long done the figure skating - but commentating is something new, though from what I saw on Friday it's simply filling in between dances as Robin commentates on the technical aspects.
And although Clare Balding has long been part of the Olympic presenting team, and an important part too, it is beginning to feel like she's there now because the BBC have to find her something to do considering most of the racing she was signed up to present has now been ditched. I do think if there was an opening at C4 Racing she might jump ship now C4 have the Paralympic rights.