TVNZ owns up to stopping the Olympic clock

By CHRIS DANIELS

"Stronger, higher, faster" is the Olympic motto. For TVNZ's cover of the Olympic opening ceremony, try "slower, longer, later."

Angry viewers of TVNZ's "live" opening ceremony cover have been lambasting the state-owned broadcaster for gradually delaying its coverage so it could fit in the commercials.

New Zealand viewers watching Cathy Freeman light the Olympic flame early on Saturday were seeing events that took place about 40 minutes earlier.

TVNZ spokesman Liam Jeory said the show was paid for by advertisers and sponsors.

Telecasts of previous opening ceremonies had omitted sections so commercials could screen.

The network says the Olympic opening's viewing audience peaked at 1.3 million people.

But the creeping delays raised the ire of radio talkback audiences and sports fans, who were quick to complain.

Mr Jeory responded that TVNZ paid "huge money" so viewers could see the coverage for free.



He said viewers had previously complained about missing up to three minutes of a "live" broadcast every time a commercial break screened.

New technology now allowed the channel to fit commercial breaks into the ceremony, then return to the show at the point where it had been left.

"You are at that stage back three minutes," he said, "but you are, to all intents and purposes, live. You are not missing a thing."

During the 5 1/2-hour show, the delay built up to more than 40 minutes.

TVNZ has also been criticised for delaying broadcasts of some Olympic events, such as the Saturday morning game between the New Zealand women's hockey team and Germany, which was not shown until the afternoon.

Mr Jeory said preliminary rounds of some sports might be delayed, but finals involving New Zealand medal prospects would be carried truly live.

He said TVNZ had got the message from the public.

Producers had been spoken to, and any such delays would in future be explained to viewers.

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