Manorlounger
Well-known member
- Joined
- 6 Dec 2017
- Messages
- 8,610
Following yet another match coverage interruption on Saturday with no coverage at half time and immediately post full time plus, a "technical issue" preventing the recommencement of coverage for the second half, I thought I might just drop them a line. (it's ifollow@efl.com if anyone else feels like venting their spleen)
As follows:
Recently we have been experiencing a trend of switching off the audio coverage/transmission during the half time break and almost immediately following the final whistle. No amount of “bubble chat” can persuade your colleagues to reinstate and no reason is given.
You should be aware that the coverage provided by BBC local radio stations is subject to embargo at the direction of the EFL and the individual clubs concerned. My wife and I are followers of Oxford United and coverage is provided by BBC Radio Oxford. The embargo on broadcast via internet begins at 15:00 and continues, uninterrupted until 17:00. This means, as is patently obvious, that we lack any coverage via the internet during this period and are reliant on the subscription service provided by iFollow as per contract with the EFL. In other words, we pay for the coverage.
With no other option, short of jumping in a car and driving to the nearest point of FM reception, it must be clear that to switch off the coverage during the half time period is very, very irritating. Again, at full time, to switch off prior to 17:00 leaves us again frustrated.
I can see no logical reason for this censorship, indeed, on two recent occasions, this has caused some sort of technical issue and the audio was not switched back on until after the match had recommenced. Surely the time for common sense to prevail has arrived and the iFollow coverage left to run, uninterrupted, from 15:00 until 17:00? There was a time that coverage started well before 15:00 and continued through half time and on after 17:00. This was a far more satisfactory service and one that could be recommended.
Of course, having a monopoly means you are at liberty to do as you wish but, football supporters are a very vocal sort of person and not to be taken as fools. I would find it very hard to accept that you are of a mindset to upset subscribers on purpose and therefore appeal to your better nature and common sense to rectify this situation and advertise that fact as such to all the clubs involved in that they, in turn, can advise their supporters of this position.
Thank you for your time.
As follows:
Recently we have been experiencing a trend of switching off the audio coverage/transmission during the half time break and almost immediately following the final whistle. No amount of “bubble chat” can persuade your colleagues to reinstate and no reason is given.
You should be aware that the coverage provided by BBC local radio stations is subject to embargo at the direction of the EFL and the individual clubs concerned. My wife and I are followers of Oxford United and coverage is provided by BBC Radio Oxford. The embargo on broadcast via internet begins at 15:00 and continues, uninterrupted until 17:00. This means, as is patently obvious, that we lack any coverage via the internet during this period and are reliant on the subscription service provided by iFollow as per contract with the EFL. In other words, we pay for the coverage.
With no other option, short of jumping in a car and driving to the nearest point of FM reception, it must be clear that to switch off the coverage during the half time period is very, very irritating. Again, at full time, to switch off prior to 17:00 leaves us again frustrated.
I can see no logical reason for this censorship, indeed, on two recent occasions, this has caused some sort of technical issue and the audio was not switched back on until after the match had recommenced. Surely the time for common sense to prevail has arrived and the iFollow coverage left to run, uninterrupted, from 15:00 until 17:00? There was a time that coverage started well before 15:00 and continued through half time and on after 17:00. This was a far more satisfactory service and one that could be recommended.
Of course, having a monopoly means you are at liberty to do as you wish but, football supporters are a very vocal sort of person and not to be taken as fools. I would find it very hard to accept that you are of a mindset to upset subscribers on purpose and therefore appeal to your better nature and common sense to rectify this situation and advertise that fact as such to all the clubs involved in that they, in turn, can advise their supporters of this position.
Thank you for your time.