By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK
On the tiny Pacific island of Pohnpei, Bruce Cowan reckons he is getting more than his money's worth from TVNZ's Olympic coverage.
Along with the sports coverage, he is getting an inside look into what presenters do during commercial breaks - put their feet up, gossip, swear and preen their hair.
"It's been a real hoot, it has really spiced up the Olympic coverage," said Mr Cowan, who lives in the Federated States of Micronesia, north of the equator and northeast of New Guinea.
An uncut version of TVNZ's Olympic coverage, including Holmes and One News, has been beaming live into Micronesia and six other Pacific Island countries.
Paul Holmes has already apologised to Solomon Islanders for swearing repeatedly during a commercial break in his current affairs show, unaware that he was being beamed live into the Christian nation's homes.
Mr Cowan said the TVNZ presenters were almost as entertaining to watch as the Games.
Mr Holmes used the "F-word" on a regular basis and sports presenter April Ieremia spent commercial breaks preening her hair, he said.
During the first week of coverage, presenters also moaned about the dismal performance of New Zealand athletes.
"There would be some people clearly who would be offended by what they say, but I think it certainly beats watching commercial breaks," said Mr Cowan, an Australian working for the Pohnpei Government.
Back pain, "cocky" Australians and sweaty athletes were other topics under discussion.
The people of Micronesia, spread over 607 islands, have been treated to such sights as our presenters putting their feet on the table during ad breaks and sipping coffee. Among the discussion topics in unguarded moments are how much gas the Olympic flame must need to keep burning and idle speculation on the sorts of people who collect Olympic memorabilia.
Island Cable TV, which is managing the Pohnpei TVNZ feed, has received no complaints from its 970 local subscribers.
General manager David Cliffe said the company preferred to air TVNZ uncut, as there was no advertising to fill breaks.
TVNZ spokesman Liam Jeory said he did not accept reports that presenters used swear words on a regular basis during commercial breaks.
He suggested it was the responsibility of television cable operators, like Island Cable TV, to edit live feeds.
"Those things are basically off-camera and off-air."
Last week Holmes executive producer Hunter Wells told the Herald it was a rule of broadcasting to treat any microphone as live.
Island viewer swears it's as good as gold
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