Prince Philip has Died

[James2001]

I think part of the issue is that the blanket coverage on all outlets has an implicit "stop what you are doing and start grieving, plebs" feel to it. In an era where the relevance of the monarchy to many people is quite minimal it's not surprising that people resent that.

That's exactly how it feels to some of us, as if they're trying to enforce grief and mourning, and the attitude coming from some people is as if there's something wrong with those of us who don't want to participate in it and we're "selfish". In decades gone by, expecting everyone to be mourning and wanting to watch the news when a senior royal dies would be expected, but the world has moved on hugely.

The way some people have called people who don't like the blanket coverage "selfish" really doesn't sit well with me at all. It's a perfectly valid opinion whether you agree with it or not, and it in no way makes a person selfish or means they're uncaring.

[all new Phil]

I think part of the issue is that the blanket coverage on all outlets has an implicit "stop what you are doing and start grieving, plebs" feel to it. In an era where the relevance of the monarchy to many people is quite minimal it's not surprising that people resent that.

That's exactly how it feels to some of us, as if they're trying to enforce grief and mourning, and the attitude coming from some people is as if there's something wrong with those of us who don't want to participate in it and we're "selfish". In decades gone by, expecting everyone to be mourning and wanting to watch the news when a senior royal dies would be expected, but the world has moved on hugely.

The way some people have called people who don't like the blanket coverage "selfish" really doesn't sit well with me at all. It's a perfectly valid opinion whether you agree with it or not, and it in no way makes a person selfish or means they're uncaring.

What’s entertaining about this is how Prince Philip would probably completely agree with you. There are many examples of him ridiculing protocol and his role, he certainly got the ridiculousness of it all.

[James2001]

I actually have a couple of family members who are terminally ill, and I've expressed so much grief and other emotions over them over the last few months, I wouldn't have any left for someone who I've never even met even if I wanted to.

This implying that we're somehow selfish for not being too upset over Philip's death and not liking what feels like us being told we should be grieving being forced on us is insulting at best and downright offensive at worst. I've done plenty of grieving the last few months, and will do even more once said family members finally pass away, I'm far from selfish. I'm sure the many people who have lost loved ones recently and have critisised the blanket coverage only to be told they have a "me, me, me" attitude feel the same.

[onetrickypony]

I think part of the issue is that the blanket coverage on all outlets has an implicit "stop what you are doing and start grieving, plebs" feel to it. In an era where the relevance of the monarchy to many people is quite minimal it's not surprising that people resent that.

That's exactly how it feels to some of us, as if they're trying to enforce grief and mourning, and the attitude coming from some people is as if there's something wrong with those of us who don't want to participate in it and we're "selfish". In decades gone by, expecting everyone to be mourning and wanting to watch the news when a senior royal dies would be expected, but the world has moved on hugely.

The way some people have called people who don't like the blanket coverage "selfish" really doesn't sit well with me at all. It's a perfectly valid opinion whether you agree with it or not, and it in no way makes a person selfish or means they're uncaring.

Indeed. I like the Royals, watch lots of royal documentaries, but Fridays blanket coverage was over the top. The BBC is never going to admit that though.

[XIII]

I know we're supposed to be mourning the Duke but I'd like to see the various stories about his gaffes. Mary Nightingale mentioned on Schofe's 24 hour telethon on Text Santa years ago about the Duke telling her you do chattering on when he was at a visit to ITN!

[AllWillBeWell]

To those who disagree with the complaints, particularly those who bring up the war and foreign holidays to batter those who disagree actually shows how out of touch you are.

Indeed, I actually found that post quite insulting, can't believe how many kudos it's got.

There is always the option of the "friend or foes" setting. It's not particularly useful to the ethos of the forum to criticise people for giving Kudos. If someone has an opinion they are entitled to air it and others are entitled to disagree in a respectful manner. But I feel criticism of users giving Kudos is a bit like pointing and shouting at a bunch of people and that isn't respectful. I really like the way the new forum is going and lets all try to keep it on track. Don't get me wrong no doubt in the old place I said many similar things, but the old place is gone and I think most of us don't want to see it happen again.

[RDJ]

I can’t criticise any broadcaster for how they dealt with the coverage. I highly commend ITV however for having the idea of a lighter style of broadcast with Julie and Phillip at 7pm. Think that was the right lane to go down for them to provide an alternative to the BBC.

Of course it’s something they prepare for for years, and is something that is just sprung on you suddenly with little notice. With a 19 year gap since the last high profile Royal death, a lot had changed not only in the broadcasting aspect but also in the Royal aspect. The criticisms the BBC got for too little coverage of the Queen Mothers death back in 2002, they haven’t had any opportunity to make up for this, or at least learn anything else from their previous mistakes since.

The BBC is getting criticised left, right and centre about the coverage. A true ‘damned if you do - damned if you don’t’ situation for them. I quite agree that BBC Two could have resumed broadcasting in the evening with an alternative schedule, and not completely sure it was entirely appropriate to pull BBC Four from broadcasting completely. But if this is what is what is prepared within the obit situation, then the BBC has to stick to its guns and not react because people are whinging on social media.

Indeed we are quite privileged in 2021 to have the freedom of choice of a plethora of digital channels as well as on demand services with plenty of alternative programming on those. Back in 2002 and 1997, most people still only had the five main channels, and the only alternative to this was VHS’s. So for people saying they found the coverage too overbearing is highly ironic, in the current age where there is so much choice you can easily avoid the coverage should you wish to.

Will lessons be learnt from this for next time? Undoubtedly. But given that the next Royal death is going to most likely be the most high profile death for over 70 years, it will be unsurprising that the coverage will be even more extreme than what Friday gave us, especially given the impact this will have on the country and the commonwealth as a whole.

[VMPhil]

I think part of the issue is that the blanket coverage on all outlets has an implicit "stop what you are doing and start grieving, plebs" feel to it. In an era where the relevance of the monarchy to many people is quite minimal it's not surprising that people resent that.

Not sure that's true really, at least with regards to the Queen at the moment. The most recent Christmas Day speech by the Queen had the highest TV rating in 18 years, and her COVID message got 24 million viewers. We'll see if Charles remains anywhere near as popular.

I think it's understandable why the BBC potentially went overboard on news coverage, rather than risking being accused of not doing enough.

[steely12]

O/T but long thought Jordan North was one of the best at Radio 1 and he certainly deserves a regular weekday gig. Probably time to pension off Scott Mills.


Back on topic and I saw no mention yesterday of what Breakfast did - I assume they were on air and not replaced by straight news coverage from London.

Yes - with Charlie Stayt and Rachel Burden. Usual 4 hour Saturday edition, though vast majority on Prince Philip, as expected. There was no cutaway for 15 minutes at 7:45 to a Newswatch / Ros Atkins compilation either, as is customary on a Saturday - it just went straight through with Prince Philip coverage.

[ALV]

How did the BBC NC gallery load the pre-prepared obit packages and sequences so quick... From the news broke on NC to the "black news report slide" shows up, there's only 4 minutes to drop everything in the Viz sequence and load the obit packages from the server to the gallery.

From what I heard it takes quite a time to load a show's sequence given the amount of data and often times certain packages might not yet arrive at the gallery from the server by the time programmes and shows start. Remember this is not your ordinary breaking news protocol where the director just cut to the presenter's vision and pop up a few images...

[valley]

How did the BBC NC gallery load the pre-prepared obit packages and sequences so quick... From the news broke on NC to the "black news report slide" shows up, there's only 4 minutes to drop everything in the Viz sequence and load the obit packages from the server to the gallery.

From what I heard it takes quite a time to load a show's sequence given the amount of data and often times certain packages might not yet arrive at the gallery from the server by the time programmes and shows start. Remember this is not your ordinary breaking news protocol where the director just cut to the presenter's vision and pop up a few images...

If it’s anything like Sky there would be a running order (prepared in the last bridges rehearsal) hidden away somewhere with all the graphics, obit packages and overlay which could easily be loaded and run.

[UTVLifer]

How did the BBC NC gallery load the pre-prepared obit packages and sequences so quick... From the news broke on NC to the "black news report slide" shows up, there's only 4 minutes to drop everything in the Viz sequence and load the obit packages from the server to the gallery.

From what I heard it takes quite a time to load a show's sequence given the amount of data and often times certain packages might not yet arrive at the gallery from the server by the time programmes and shows start. Remember this is not your ordinary breaking news protocol where the director just cut to the presenter's vision and pop up a few images...

I would estimate that they had the best part of 10 minutes notice to get everything ready, even if the broadcasters had a few minutes notice before the palace annoucement

[Night Thoughts]

I avoided much of the rolling coverage on Friday but the TV bulletins and pre-prepared coverage looked very good. Thought it was disappointing that there wasn't an alternative, be that BBC2 and BBC4, and the BBC made itself look silly by relegating the football to iPlayer. Damned if you do, damned if you don't - a mixture of technical, staffing and political challenges, I guess. But it was one day and a semblance of normality returned on Saturday afternoon. All felt like a dress rehearsal for the big one.

But...

Considering that the BBC channels have gone back to relative normality (they were showing entertainment and Casualty last night), but the radio are still paying chilled out music.

Considering radio is a much more intimate medium, and one that people really depend on, I thought the length of the all-networks broadcast was overkill (some old boy's insight-free anecdotes on Radio 1, for heaven's sake). Thought 6 Music did a fairly decent job on the Friday evening once they were set free - one they should have been allowed to do a few hours earlier. But then dragging it out into Saturday and cancelling specialist shows on local radio in the evening for increasingly witless coverage-for-the-sake-of-it was way over the top.

Again, can understand the logistical challenges behind all this - particularly with a pandemic on - and again, they'll always be criticised for something, but they really could have done better with radio as a whole.

[UTVLifer]

I can’t criticise any broadcaster for how they dealt with the coverage. I highly commend ITV however for having the idea of a lighter style of broadcast with Julie and Phillip at 7pm. Think that was the right lane to go down for them to provide an alternative to the BBC.

Of course it’s something they prepare for for years, and is something that is just sprung on you suddenly with little notice. With a 19 year gap since the last high profile Royal death, a lot had changed not only in the broadcasting aspect but also in the Royal aspect. The criticisms the BBC got for too little coverage of the Queen Mothers death back in 2002, they haven’t had any opportunity to make up for this, or at least learn anything else from their previous mistakes since.

The BBC is getting criticised left, right and centre about the coverage. A true ‘damned if you do - damned if you don’t’ situation for them. I quite agree that BBC Two could have resumed broadcasting in the evening with an alternative schedule, and not completely sure it was entirely appropriate to pull BBC Four from broadcasting completely. But if this is what is what is prepared within the obit situation, then the BBC has to stick to its guns and not react because people are whinging on social media.

Indeed we are quite privileged in 2021 to have the freedom of choice of a plethora of digital channels as well as on demand services with plenty of alternative programming on those. Back in 2002 and 1997, most people still only had the five main channels, and the only alternative to this was VHS’s. So for people saying they found the coverage too overbearing is highly ironic, in the current age where there is so much choice you can easily avoid the coverage should you wish to.

Will lessons be learnt from this for next time? Undoubtedly. But given that the next Royal death is going to most likely be the most high profile death for over 70 years, it will be unsurprising that the coverage will be even more extreme than what Friday gave us, especially given the impact this will have on the country and the commonwealth as a whole.

I would also argue that the death of Nelson Mandela in 2013 gave the BBC their best dry-run of a major death since QEQM and it did highlight several flaws in the system - firstly the chaotic cutting between the NC to World just before BBC One quickly and rather abruptly joined the coverage in a rather messy as Jacob Zuma gave the news of Mandela's death.

I would also say that Mandela's death will have also given the broadcasters, and especially the BBC, a practise example for a situation where they had been caught almost completely on the hop with a major international death with no prior warning/embargo and the prior plans had been abandoned by those announcing it. As from what I remember, the South African government had previously said that they wouldn't announce the death of Mandela until the next day if it happened after sunset/it was dark but when NM did eventually pass away, the SA Gov't decide announced it just before 10pm with very little warning.

And it was slightly clear on Friday that the announcement of Prince Philip's death was slightly unexpected, see the newsroom from the 12pm NC TOTH shot, but they had had practise since the Queen Mother and then also chaos from the night of Mandela's death and so they made sure to wait until everyone were ready before fading out BBC One's programming to do the newsflash

I also suspect that given the criticism the BBC got back in 2002 for their lack of appropriate idents on both BBC One & Two that they had just played to it save and go with a family ident for the death coverage/obit docs. If I remember correctly BBC Two used a still of bounce from the personality 2's whilst they stalled because they had opted out of their programme too early and BBC One used a still of the ballet ident from their very new Rhythm and Movement package

[James2001]

Considering radio is a much more intimate medium, and one that people really depend on, I thought the length of the all-networks broadcast was overkill (some old boy's insight-free anecdotes on Radio 1, for heaven's sake)

Indeed, simulcasting Radio 4 on Radio 1 and 1xtra for hours one end really is one of the inexplicable things about this. It's hard to think of something more alienating to the target audience, much more so than taking BBC2 and 4 off air.