Heaney blasts BBCNI

[orangeman]

Typical BBC treatment of GAA fans - take them for granted - sure they're only a crowd of thickos anyway !

[gerry]

Just received the same email, going to log a complaint about cricket coverage in the north west to see if i get same answer

[winsamsoon]

Yip same one different name on all them . At least now they know that we are well aware of what is going on. We may not change things an awful lot but any future decisions will be made with the knowledge that we won't lie down and take this on the chin. Keep the pressure on them.

[armaghniac]

BTW everyone should keep complaining, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

As Passedit said, keep at it. As it is says in the good book, if someone keeps knocking at your door you'll give them something to make them go away!

[orangeman]

Agreed - bombard the f-----ers with emails and letters etc etc !

[zoyler]

BBC Chief is muddying the waters by bringing in TV rights.  The same problems donot araise with radio.  He should be asked to explain one situation. The budget can extend to radio covering 8 soccer matchs watched , at most , by in total 3,000 people but can not cover any of 4 GAA matchs the next day where the crowd at only one game was estimated at 3,500. Why? Nothing more - nothing less.

[orangeman]

Interesting to see tomorow's news on BBC -

[Lecale2]

Has anyone received a response to their complaints?

[Candyman]

Got my reply from BBC after my little rant...  

Dear Mr *********

I'm replying to your recent complaint about the BBC's coverage of Gaelicgames. Our programming in this area, whilst extensive, is also affected by thecost/availability of broadcast rights and wider budgetary constraintswithin the BBC. GAA fixtures are an important element of our sports output however, and we are aware of their popularity with local audiences. Ourcurrent GAA coverage extends across radio, television and online andincludes Ulster Championship matches, the McCrory Cup, the NationalFootball and Hurling Leagues, the Sigerson Cup and the All IrelandChampionship (when Ulster teams are involved). TG4 holds the television rights for live club fixtures, but we do show club highlights on BBCNewsline. Contractual issues mean that we can only cover games involvingthe Ulster teams at All Ireland stage on BBC radio. We do however, providelive radio match commentaries from National League fixtures and ourdedicated coverage of Gaelic games on Sunday Sportsound is complemented byresults and match analysis as part BBC Radio Ulster's 18.00 news bulletinon Sunday afternoons and within the following day's Good Morning Ulster.GAA fixtures, stories and personalities are also featured within otheraspects of BBCNI's output, including Season Ticket on local television, BBCNewsline, Final Score, Saturday Sportsound and as an element of our onlinesports offering.  BBCNI wants to maximise the reach, impact and relevance of its sportsprogramming. We are currently involved in detailed negotiations with theGAA's Central Council in relation to broadcast rights for Gaelic games over the next 3yrs. If our application is successful we would hope tosignificantly increase the volume of live Gaelic Football coverage on BBCNItelevision from 08/09 onwards. Funding constraints have affected all our sports programming on local radio(including soccer, motorcycling and rugby) and BBC output in this area willalways involve difficult editorial decisions about priorities (both scheduling and financial) and the need to balance/reflect different sporting interests and activities. In all of this we will wish to take careful account of audience feedback and research. The cost of rights forsporting events can present a real challenge however, and the marketplacehas become (and will likely remain) intensely competitive. Despite suchdifficulties, we continue to take pride in the volume, range and quality ofour GAA coverage. BBCNI's commitments in this area compare favourably with its programming about other sports, including soccer and rugby, and weremain hopeful that our GAA coverage on local television might be enhancedover time subject to the successful conclusion of discussions with theCentral Council. I'm grateful for your interest in our sports output and have shared yourconcerns with relevant management colleagues within BBCNI.

Yours sincerely  
Shane Glynn

Executive Producer Sport - BBCNI

[Candyman]

what a load of complete and utter sh1te.... 

[Candyman]

I presumed u all would... and i bet shane glynn knows f*ck all about it even though his name is at the bottom of it!!!!

[Bensars]

everyone should forward the same message back to him, thanking him for addressing our "particular" concerns with the same response

[el_cuervo_fc]

I think I'm gonna have to write back to him again, the letter didn't answer all my questions posed to him

[Tempoman]

Jebus, anyone would think from that reply that gaa was never off the tv!!

[peterquaife]

got the same one, lazy hooers

PQ