TVNZ is a funny thing. Owned by the government means that it is obviously got some bias, it's impossible to escape that. But I don't think it very fair that they get to tweak bits of their broadcasts in order to cover up little mistakes.
The 2008 Olympic games were the last games that TVNZ had the broadcasting rights to (Sky TV has them for the London 2012 games, and will be playing them on Prime). This was supposed to be a huge swan song for them, a chance for them to go out all guns blazing (excuse the cliches if you will), instead, one of the major things coming out from TVNZ's broadcasting at Beijing was how terrible it was. The commentators have copped a lot of criticism. No one more so than Peter Montgomery though.
Montgomery was one of the main commentators for the Rowing and Sailing. His voice is synonymous in New Zealand with Yachting, having commentating on the America's Cup races of the past. However, his performance this time around was questionable. Has the old guy past his time?When calling the Women's Double Skulls Final, featuring our own Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell, Montgomery called the Germany first, Britain second and New Zealand third. In actual fact it was too close to call between Germany and NZ, thus they had a photo finish, which eventually showed NZ to have won.
Montgomery's initial blunder didn't stop there as even when his co-commentator, Mike Stanley, first said that Germany and NZ were having a photo finish, Montgomery said "They've got that wrong." Turns out he got it wrong. And TVNZ have since tidied the dialogue up on the video, making it appear as if Montgomery never got it wrong. But it doesn't change the fact that quite a few New Zealanders were watching the final that night, and can still remember what Montgomery initially said.I think they should have left it. Why change it? It's kinda funny now. Frustrating then, but funny now.
TVNZ have only made things worse by trying to so obviously cover things up. And it was picked up by the New Zealand Herald.Nevertheless, like the rest of us Montgomery is only human, and mistakes are inevitable really. Shame on TVNZ for trying to fix the blunder I say.
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3 comments:
Broadcasting of such an event as the Olympics is one of those things that will always get complaints, no matter how large or small they are.
However on the commentating sides of things you would expect a New Zealand commentator to have more faith in New Zealand athletes, especially the rowers. Then again, people tend to get caught up in the hype on such events and not realise what they are actually saying.
Yeah, I think he possibly did get caught in the moment. Possibly even had a "seniors moment". (I think he's old now. should probably check that out.)
It's sad though really, isn't it? How there is always going to be someone that complains.
The guy is a veteran in the industry, I say give him a break! I totally agree with you, blunders such as this one happen all the time on TV and I think it is one of the first times (that has been publicised) that TVNZ has edited out a mistake in order to some how save their squeky clean reputation. Peter montgomery may be past his time,I don't know, but he is a legend and should be treated with resepct rather than critisised.
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