February 11, 2002

The following was sent to Mr. Rick Richardson, CEO, Bermuda Broadcasting Company and copied to the Royal Gazette:

Dear Sir,

It is not often that I think of Bermuda in terms of being a third world country, but the disjointed coverage that you are providing us with for this Winter Olympics is causing me to make the unfavourable comparisons. After Friday night's debacle, imagine my surprise last night (Sunday night) to be watching the Olympic coverage only for Bob Costas to be cut off mid sentence at 11.50 p.m., and to be replaced by your "off the air" symbol.

At first I thought it was just a joke, but no, the coverage was indeed terminated at 11.59 p.m. I guess I wouldn't have been so baffled had we been advised in advance that your coverage of the Olympics was going to be limited, so that those of us who wanted to make alternative arrangements could have done so in ample time (i.e. I would have bought a satellite!). I am sure that NBC has provided you with the time frame for their shows, and if it is your intention not to air the full show you need to tell us, the viewing public, with an explanation as to why we will not be allowed to see the full coverage. Perhaps in tonight's new progamme you would be kind enough to advise us as to what to expect with tonight's and future coverage - it is the least, and I stress least, that you can do.

M. CALDERON

Editor's note: Broadcasting did resume several minutes after the off-air symbol came up and stayed on for some time.