I posted this in the Viva Organists forum yesterday and thought it might appeal to a wider audience.

For a long time now we have been able to select subtitles, or signing, to accompany television programmes, so when will the BBC, and others, give us the option to choose commentary, or to turn it off (along with those annoying little logos)?

Today's splendid service from St Paul's Cathedral would have been so much better without James Naughtie telling us what was happening when we could see for ourselves, and greatly improved if we could have opted out of the drivel he insisted on spouting as the procession left the Cathedral, having just told us how magnificent the organ music was!

On a positive note, it was a real treat to see three children I know singing in the Diamond Choir, and all of them in the two front rows.

I don't know about the St Paul's service, but I did think that for parts of the Jubilee coverage, there was commentry free broadcasts available on the red button (Freeview 301). Not much help, if you haven't yet gone digital but a start nonetheless.

The BBC are answering complaints of this nature today (Wed 6th) at 4:30pm on Radio 4 in The Media Show.

I'm sure that you'll be able to find it on Listen Again.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01jhdh3

I suspect the answer, as always, is that programmes must be designed so that even a Martian who had just landed his flying saucer, and who knew nothing about royalty or the church would understand what was going on.

SB

I was doing something else at the same time, and so wasn't listening carefully. However, the answer seemed to be: "It was very difficult. Considering the circumstances we thought that it was ok."

Further to the above, this link will take you to a recording of Handel on the Thames from the Queen's Diamond Jubilee day.

SB