Ryder Cup TV coverage -- abysmal technical performance

[Rick Shefchik]

(Maybe this thread will gather some responses and bump Bill Weber's unfortunate spoiler thread off the front page.)

In the year 2006, how can a TV network possibly botch a golf broadcast so thoroughly? Sound dropping out on reporters, cameras searching vainly for shots, and close-up reaction shots to the 18th green held on the player long after the ball has landed on the green. This is an embarrassing performance by USA, NBC, BBC, Sky or whoever is responsible. ABC used to do the British Open better with five cameras in the '60s.

On the other hand, I love the match-play strategy possibilities of the K Club. I'd never bother to play it if I were in Ireland -- there's 100, or 500, links courses I'd play first -- but it sure works for the Ryder Cup. That is, if we could see all the shots...

[Dan Kelly]

I recommend watching online.

I didn't see any such technical glitches.

It can occasionally remind you of watching (albeit in full color) the old Telstar telecasts from the Open back in the '60s -- with the action temporarily freezing.

But I'll take it (along with Renton & Co.) over the USA/NBC telecasts any day of the week. Give it a try tomorrow.

[Rick Shefchik]

You mean Renton "If I had anything to say, I would have said it in 1974" Laidlaw? I'll stick with Johnny -- assuming the technical problems have been dealt with.

[Dan Kelly]

You mean Renton "If I had anything to say, I would have said it in 1974" Laidlaw? I'll stick with Johnny -- assuming the technical problems have been dealt with.

I said "Renton & Co."

I might stick with Johnny, too, if he weren't about eight hours behind.

[Phil McDade]

Rick:

Agreed -- pretty abysmal stuff. I could maybe -- maybe -- understand the delay on voices and shots that led off the broadcast. But the searching for shots was particularly bad. Somewhere Frank Chirkanian is rolling his eyes....

[Tom_Doak]

Rick S:

I don't know the exact number of links courses in Ireland, but I don't think it is as many as 100 -- more like 50 or 60.  So maybe you'll get around to the K eventually.

[Big B]

Why does Johnny Miller only broadcast the morning matches?  If this was a tennis event, Johnny Mac would do both the morning & afternoon.  Is he too good?

[Rick Shefchik]

Tom --

The Emerald Isle is rather small, isn't it? But I still think I'd play 500 links courses there before I plunked down the cash to play the K Club. I'd just play a lot of them 10 times.

[Dan Herrmann]

I recommend watching online.

I didn't see any such technical glitches.

It can occasionally remind you of watching (albeit in full color) the old Telstar telecasts from the Open back in the '60s -- with the action temporarily freezing.

But I'll take it (along with Renton & Co.) over the USA/NBC telecasts any day of the week. Give it a try tomorrow.

Dan - What's the URL?