BBC Viewers Express Fury Over 'Abysmal' Winter Olympics Coverage
The BBC has encountered a surge of complaints regarding its coverage of the Winter Olympics at Milan-Cortina 2026, with audiences branding the broadcasts as 'abysmal' and expressing significant frustration. Since the competition began last weekend, the broadcaster has been airing major events on BBC One and BBC Two daily, while additional events are available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. However, compared to previous years, the BBC has drastically reduced its live output, partly due to TNT Sports making its Olympic debut with over 850 hours of programming.
Recognisable Personalities Fail to Placate Discontent
Despite featuring seasoned presenters such as Clare Balding, Hazel Irvine, and Jeanette Kwakye, supported by British Winter Olympic legends including Lizzy Yarnold, Chemmy Alcott, and Robin Cousins in the expert analysis team, viewers have voiced deep dissatisfaction. One viewer described it as 'their worst [at an Olympics] by an absolute mile', according to reports from Wales Online, highlighting a widespread sentiment of disappointment.
Social Media Flooded with Identical Grievances
Olympics fans have taken to social media platforms to air their complaints, with many criticising the BBC's tendency to jump between competitions, making it difficult to follow events from start to finish on its channels. Additionally, numerous critics have pointed out the excessive number of reruns and pre-recorded packages, calling for more focus on live action and competitions involving British competitors.
One disgruntled viewer posted on X: 'The BBC coverage of the Winter Olympics is actually abysmal. How many repeats do I have to sit through? Why aren't you airing things that Team GB are actually in?' Another responded: 'It's the worst Olympic coverage I've seen them do by an absolute mile.' A third viewer complained: 'BBC, your coverage of the Winter Olympics is so poor. Instead of showing the curling on TV or iPlayer, you're showing something we're not even involved in followed by some rubbish VTs.'
Specific Criticisms Highlight Broadcast Issues
Further complaints targeted specific sports, with one audience member labelling the ice hockey broadcasts as 'absolutely and utterly atrocious', stating: 'Watching the men's game on the iPlayer and with no warning you change to the skiing.' Another viewer expressed frustration over snowboarding coverage: 'The BBC coverage of the Winter Olympics is such trash. I just wanna watch the snowboarding and it's like 'we're gonna join it halfway through then switch to it on another channel, actually, no it's not on the other channel after all, you're outta luck'.'
BBC's Pre-Games Promises Contrast with Reality
Prior to the Games, BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski pledged that the broadcaster would deliver 'all the very best action and medal moments' and promised 'unmissable coverage' for viewers. He stated: 'The Winter Olympics spotlight the world's most elite winter athletes as they push the boundaries of speed, precision and excellence across snow and ice, and BBC Sport can't wait to bring audiences all the very best action and medal moments straight from Milan‐Cortina. Our expert line‐up of international winter sport stars, combined with our unmissable coverage, will ensure that the Italy 2026 Olympic Winter Games take pride of place in what promises to be an unforgettable year of sport.' However, the current backlash suggests a disconnect between these assurances and the actual viewer experience.
Winter Olympics coverage continues on BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC iPlayer, but the mounting complaints indicate a need for potential adjustments to meet audience expectations.
