E-Paper
Doordarshan takes breaks, plays spoilsport
On Sunday, even while the Organising Committee finally managed to get things right and put up a spectacular extravaganza, for millions of television viewers, the effect was marred by Doordarshan's decision to cram in as many commercial breaks as they could.
On Sunday, even while the Organising Committee finally managed to get things right and put up a spectacular extravaganza, for millions of television viewers, the effect was marred by Doordarshan's decision to cram in as many commercial breaks as they could.
What we saw was definitely not a “live telecast”. The ad breaks also meant that the video footage being shown with a ‘live’ tag, was running about 15 minutes late by the time the Indian contingent began their march. So while viewers cheered flag-bearer Abhinav Bindra as he led the home side in, spectators at the stadium were listening to Mike Fennell. “I don't think I have ever seen so many commercial breaks during the opening ceremony of an international event,” said a viewer.
Incidentally, Aruna Sharma, DD's director-general, was livid when asked why DD spoiled the effect of the ceremony for TV viewers. Stating that opening ceremonies were major sources of revenue, she added: “Our viewers are getting every single detail from the stadium in the best quality possible. Do not indulge in nit-picking or I will take you to court.” She denied the event was deferred live but admitted that because a commercial lasting 60-90 seconds (approximately) ends with those 90 seconds of telecast being replayed, it led to a delay.
