BBC Apologizes To METALLICA Fans

July 16, 2007

John Plunkett of MediaGuardian.co.uk reports that the BBC has put out an apology after complaints from viewers that the set by METALLICA was not shown in full in its live coverage of the Live Earth concert from Wembley stadium in London, England.

The BBC was at pains to point out that the decision was not taken out of "prejudice about heavy metal music or any other music." Rather, it was a result of its efforts to broadcast from other Live Earth concerts from around the world.

To add insult to injury, however, the BBC misspelled the band's name on its complaints website.

"We received complaints from some viewers that the METALICA [sic] set was not shown in full," it said.

"This was a global event and we were keen to reflect the other concerts as well as the one in UK.

"We took editorial decisions in advance and on the day, about the times and places we would do that.

"Not all the tracks by every performer could be featured but we did transmit a full trail promoting our interactive coverage where digital viewers wanting to see the performances in full, could press the red button at any time.

"The concerts were very fluid in London and around the world and there was certainly no prejudice about heavy metal music or any other music; just a determination to do the best for the entire audience watching on BBC2 and BBC1 during the day.

"This is inevitably a fine balance and we cannot please everyone all of the time. However, we of course apologise if any particular viewers were disappointed."

One viewer, Cheryl Joyce from Northants, wrote to the Sun after the concert to complain. "I can't understand why METALLICA were cut short at Live Earth," she said. "They have a bigger following than most bands who were there."

Live Earth proved a ratings disappointment for BBC1, drawing less than a third of the audience that tuned in for the Concert for Diana the previous week.

Live Earth averaged 2.7 million viewers during its evening coverage, peaking with 4.5 million. The Diana concert peaked with 14.8 million.

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