Beeb's royal death coverage ruffles feathers
Most viewers complain about programming changes
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Press reports had it that the royal family was outraged by the pubcaster's low-key treatment of the passing of the 101 year-old "national treasure," so much so that Prince Charles snubbed the BBC and gave an exclusive interview to ITN, which supplies news to ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Most contentious was the failure of BBC anchorman Peter Sissons to wear the traditional black tie as he announced the news of the death, particularly astounding given that broadcasters had been planning for the event for years. Sissons' on-air interrogation of the Queen Mother's niece about her aunt's final moments was also said to have caused considerable offence.
But most BBC viewers who called in to complain were actually more concerned with the disruption to regular programming.
Although the pubcaster received over 1500 complaints over the holiday weekend, only 130 expressed indignation at what they considered the insensitivity of the coverage. The majority of callers objected to what they saw as excessive coverage and the changes to their TV schedules, including the dropping of Sunday evening favorite, "Antiques Roadshow."
Meanwhile, ITN and the BBC stressed that Prince Charles' interview had been pooled between them, as is typically done at times of national importance.
What must have been some consolation to the BBC, as well, was the fact that the pubcaster garnered significantly bigger ratings for its coverage.
