Olympics or Proms ?

[Retune]

Ironically, I suspect it was the success of the BBC streaming multiple events live on the Red Button and on IPlayer in 2012 that led to interest from companies such as Discovery doing the same with the Olympics in the years since, and it is this which has effectively priced the BBC out of the market.

I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. I did wonder about getting Discovery for at least the duration of the Games, but looking at what they have now, it's a very long way from the old Discovery Channel, which showed a lot of decent science and nature documentaries. Today it's an unholy marriage of trashy reality shows and the old Eurosport content. It doesn't seem to make much sense to combine these very different types of programming, except as an excuse to hike the price of Eurosport. But then Warner Bros Discovery has terrible leadership.

[gurnemanz]

Olympics or Proms? My answer: Both and none. For the first few days we were actually in France on an exchange visit as part of out town's twinning. Our host had no interest in Olympics and we saw nothing and didn't miss it.

On returning home I have watched a lot of Olympics, mostly on Discovery+ which I seem to get free of charge with Sky. Their coverage is by far preferable to BBC both in quality and quantity. I have heard some selected Proms live but it is easy to catch up with via afternoon repeats or Sounds.

[pastoralguy]

It’s nearly 05.00 in the morning as I write and I’ve been perusing The Times online, to which I’m a fully paid up subscriber, and there is not a word about either The Proms or the Edinburgh International Festival! No reviews, articles or acknowledgment.

Of course, one can open a page without some reference to the Olympics…

[Pulcinella]

It’s nearly 05.00 in the morning as I write and I’ve been perusing The Times online, to which I’m a fully paid up subscriber, and there is not a word about either The Proms or the Edinburgh International Festival! No reviews, articles or acknowledgment.

Of course, one can open a page without some reference to the Olympics…

There is however a list of recommendations of what to do in Chicago, which I tried to share (for Richard's amusement, amongst others'), but the link didn't work: I got the 'Where was I?' quiz instead.

[LMcD]

Olympics or Proms? My answer: Both and none. For the first few days we were actually in France on an exchange visit as part of out town's twinning. Our host had no interest in Olympics and we saw nothing and didn't miss it.

On returning home I have watched a lot of Olympics, mostly on Discovery+ which I seem to get free of charge with Sky. Their coverage is by far preferable to BBC both in quality and quantity. I have heard some selected Proms live but it is easy to catch up with via afternoon repeats or Sounds.

As noted above, the BBC's Olympics coverage has been reduced following Discovery's 2016 deal with the IOC.

[Belgrove]

As for Gurnemanz, both and none. In fact neither in the first week of the Olympics, since it was my first visit to Bayreuth to see the Ring - an overwhelming and unforgettable experience which Olympics or Proms could not possibly match. As for the Proms, greatly enjoyed the Rach/Busoni Prom on Monday and the NYO’s last night. And in the Olympics, I found the climbing event unexpectedly mesmerising, and the feat of Toby Roberts astonishing. So much to enjoy!

[DracoM]

Olympics for me - that and cricket.......sorry but many Proms lists do not look to inspire.

......and e.g......
"Bayreuth to see the Ring - an overwhelming and unforgettable experience which Olympics or Proms could not possibly match" ..........wow! Lucky you!

[Sir Velo]

Of course the Limp-ics is all about deriving vicarious pleasure from athletes performing to a standard the average man or woman in the street can never hope to achieve. This is what the broadcasters and advertisers tap into. Making us feel that the spectator is as much a participant in the event as the combatants. All absolute hogwash of course but an opiate to keep the masses to heel.

[richardfinegold]

It’s nearly 05.00 in the morning as I write and I’ve been perusing The Times online, to which I’m a fully paid up subscriber, and there is not a word about either The Proms or the Edinburgh International Festival! No reviews, articles or acknowledgment.

Of course, one can open a page without some reference to the Olympics…

My wife likes the Olympics, and as we both had Covid this past week she watched quite a bit of it. I occasionally left the listening room to watch with her. What I found particularly repellent was the nightly news show, normally a commercial filled half hour that fills time with human interest fluff under normal circumstances, given at least 3/4 of their time to Olympic Human Interest stories

[Old Grumpy]

My wife likes the Olympics, and as we both had Covid this past week she watched quite a bit of it. I occasionally left the listening room to watch with her. What I found particularly repellent was the nightly news show, normally a commercial filled half hour that fills time with human interest fluff under normal circumstances, given at least 3/4 of their time to Olympic Human Interest stories

Mmm..


...Olympic
...human interest
...Olympic human interest

[Norrette]

Mahler 1 tonight on Beeb 4 telly.

[eighthobstruction]

....and how much did each of those 65 medals cost £££....cyclists bikes £65k ea....I'm guessing a minimum of £65 million (including money spent on those who did not win a medal)...........I like sport

[LMcD]

....and how much did each of those 65 medals cost £££....cyclists bikes £65k ea....I'm guessing a minimum of £65 million (including money spent on those who did not win a medal)...........I like sport

... and there has been criticism by some winners that medals show signs of deterioration including tarnishing after a week or so.

[eighthobstruction]

... and there has been criticism by some winners that medals show signs of deterioration including tarnishing after a week or so.

....garlic????

[DracoM]

Mmm..


...Olympic
...human interest
...Olympic human interest: yawn:

Yes, yes, YES!