Beijing Olympics And Channel Seven…
A lot of people have been reading this post over the last week, it is really old so for some fresh content, have a look at the Seven Networks coverage of the Opening Ceremony and also have a look at the Day 1 coverage.
With nearly 300 day’s left to go until the start of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Channel Seven has announced the magnitude of its “Olympic operation”. According to The Age (Tuesday October 9, 2007) Channel Seven will be sending a record of 380 staff over to Beijing.
Seven has also said that next years Olympic coverage will set a new benchmark in coverage by an Australian Television network of an event outside of Australia.
For the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Seven only sent over its camera crew’s and commentators, with its presenters and production team hosting the games coverage from their South Melbourne studios which have now since been sold to Global Television.
Seven will be sending 240 people over to cover the Olympic Games in Beijing with an additional 140 personnel which are required in Beijing as Seven is apart of the contingent of media groups covering the Aquatic events.
The reason for all of this is because as said above Seven has sold its South Melbourne studios and has moved to the Docklands meaning that they do not have a ready-made production centre where they can operate an event of this magnitude.
Apparently Seven have also hired 50 local’s in Beijing because Seven is not allowing any of its staff to drive around the city, so these people will work as drivers and also will assist in working as translators.
With all of this Olympic talk it brings back the speculation of whether Bruce McAvaney will be calling AFL football next year or not. Because of the Olympic coverage he will have to miss out on calling three rounds of AFL, however the talk around Seven seems to be heading in the direction of Dennis Cometti hosting the coverage on his own of those three rounds with the assistance of the special comments team.
Technorati tags: Channel Seven, Seven Network, Beijing Olympic Games, Bruce McAvaney
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Jose Figlioli | Aug 11, 2008 | Reply
We would like to watch more of the water polo games if possible.
Thanks
ken | Aug 11, 2008 | Reply
just wondering if any indoor volleyball will be shows on channel 7
thanks
Peter File | Aug 11, 2008 | Reply
one word: Bee Em Ex
Alison | Aug 11, 2008 | Reply
More Equestrian events PLEASE!!
John Golden | Aug 12, 2008 | Reply
I was hoping that well edited highlights on a regular basis would be a critical part of the coverage.
Is this happening and I’m simply missing it?
Kath | Aug 12, 2008 | Reply
MORE EQUESTRIAN PLEASE NOW
james | Aug 12, 2008 | Reply
no we don’t want more water polo… we don’t want any water polo
sharon | Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
I am so annoyed we are shown the whole games of volley ball, when our country isn’t even playing, chinese gymnastics, Cycling, six hours. and all we get is three very short highlights of the Equestrian events. do the camera men leave their camera running and have a holiday somewhere. Show more highlights of the equestrian please.
San | Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Well said John give us some well edited highlights and why cant a program of event times be made and ahered to. We waited all night for the basketball that was coming up “Next”. I believe it came on around 12pm. Give us a time so we can all watch what we like to watch not try to keep us watching sport we are not interested in.
Suzie Taylor | Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
I’m very disappointed. No coverage of fencing has been shown on TV - it’s a great sport that has a long history and requires enormous skill and tactics. A fencing bout does not take very long and is fast and action packed. Shame on you channel 7.
Darren | Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
will there be any coverage of the weightlifting
Danny | Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
on SBS tonight there is
Rob | Aug 15, 2008 | Reply
If 7 is going to show 5, 10 min of basketball then cut to ad break/recaps/swimming heats then why bother (and thats after keeping fans up late)?? Give it to SBS, at least they play whole games, give an hour by hour schedule - I’m sure they would love to put teams like Aus and the Dream Team on.
tsunetani | Aug 15, 2008 | Reply
Please…. no more bloody horses!
Where is the Judo and Wrestling… and token coverage of anything else such as the shooting.
Glenn | Aug 15, 2008 | Reply
I am sick to death of turning on Channel 7 in the evening and only getting to see the swimming!!! There are other sports being played during these games!! This is a good opportunity to watch a range of sports that never make it to mainstream TV. How about showing a bit more variety 7!
Gail | Aug 15, 2008 | Reply
Thank god Sonya has left yum char. Did Gary Hall inply that Eamon Sullivan was breaking world times and winning due to his swim suit, that this was equal to taking drugs?. If tbat’s the case whats his explanation for Phelp?
Jeannie | Aug 15, 2008 | Reply
I would just like to say what a fantastic job Daniel Kawolski has done commentating and interviewing the swimmers after their events. I would like to see more of him on channel seven. I think he was born to be a sports commentator.
Jeannie
Adam | Aug 16, 2008 | Reply
Man… I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU… channel seven is really making me angry with all the commercials and putting on swimming at the wrong time… give the basketball games to SBS…
hayden | Aug 16, 2008 | Reply
nar its gay, only on sbs
Kate | Aug 17, 2008 | Reply
Oh my god!!! I am so sick of seeing the times for events come and go and NOT seeing the event! Worse still, for the events that we can’t see ‘Live’ e.g. Equestrian couldn’t we at least have a few hours replay at 2am so we can record it! What is the point of covering the Olympics if we only get to see the final scores and 1 or 2 minutes of highlights…. that’s not coverage… it’s a snippett! Channel 7 should not put their hand up for something it can’t do well!
Amanda | Aug 18, 2008 | Reply
Channel 7’s coverage of the Olympic Games is shocking, and the coverage of live sport is extremely disappointing. Sports have already been played, and Channel 7 will only cross to bits or highlights of a match. The clip of the Columbia weight-lifter is extremely distasteful, I don’t know that I ever found a clip of someone’s Olympic dreams being shattered hilarious. I want to support all of our athletes as much as possible, but I will not be watching any more of the Olympic games on Channel 7. Instead I’ll stick to SBS and the internet.
Mark | Aug 19, 2008 | Reply
What’s the go with coverage of so many events where there are no Australians, even if there are Austalians competing at the time?
If your scheduling team realises that you are broadscasting to Australia, and that Australians largely want to see and support Australian atheletes, Then you would be on the right track to improve your ratings - seems obvious don’t you think?
Dave | Aug 19, 2008 | Reply
Join this facebook group which is trying to show how disgraceful channel 7’s coverage is.
Kelly | Aug 20, 2008 | Reply
please please please can we see some Softball coverage/highlights…anything? The Australia v Canada semi-final game is scheduled for at 2pm this arvo, and I am hopeful that softball fans will be able to watch some of the last remaining Olympic Softball events ever; as the IOC has decided to ditch Softball for future Olympics….grrrr
alan | Aug 20, 2008 | Reply
GIVE US TIMES FOR THE EVENTS SO WE CAN EVENTUALLY WATCH WHAT WE WANT, WHEN WE WANT!
Lisa | Aug 21, 2008 | Reply
Bad coverage….don’t even know when it’s airing live or replay unless i refer to the olympic website. if it’s live 7 should at least put a small indication on one corner of the screen
Rachel | Aug 22, 2008 | Reply
Friday, night of final for the relays and you show the football from the eastern states in Perth, delayed telecast at that so we miss all the important events of the third last day of the olympics. Bad coverage!