91Èȱ¬

It is brilliant! Watched it going through my hometown this morning - was quite an emotional site. An archive with video from every destination would be amazing. As would iPhone video/text commentary.

More people need to know about it though - National TV coverage has not been enough IMO. This is a big event.

I concur Robinho, was watching it at Perth & Singapore airports last night & just watched a bit with my folks in Leicestershire today. Well done everyone, bearers, the crowds, poliec, organisers & bbc. Great positive work! We don't need a lavish ceremony, it's about the people!!! I bet the crowds would still be out if it was cold & wet!

To: Roger and the Team
This is certainly addictive, managed to watch some of it every day so far. It would be nice if we had some commentary as well as the text feed.
I agree with Robinho02, it needs some more coverage as I think it will boost the Olympic fever.

Keep up the good work

i am addicted cannot stop watching excellent coverage and crowds and the security team doing a fantastic job just like the 91Èȱ¬

Fantastic work... well done.
Fabulous seeing the level of support for our Torch Bearers.

Excellent job. It is compelling watching and reading. I am doing my bit to let others know just how good it is and how inspiring and encouraging it is to see the torchbearers and the supporters showing their appreciation.

I REALLY can't wait. The torch has run through my hometown, it's coming to me 2 week before the game. I'll be volunteering for 3 weeks and today I managed to get some tickets to watch events live (my volunteering location is the less glamorous Main Press Center).

I've loved the Olympics since I can remember them in '92 and this will hopefully be one of greatest experiences of my life that I will never likely see again.

It's very interesting and technically clever but I thought the 91Èȱ¬ was not allowed to carry advertising. Yet here we are with the 91Èȱ¬ actively pushing an event to try and raise its profile amongst a largely disinterested public and at the same time permitting product placement from sponsors.
Like ncurd, I've loved the Olympics though since 1956 in my case. It's very sad that this shoddy commercial enterprise is nothing like those proper sporting spectacles.

@8 Sorry I think an estimated 100,000 people in Cornwall alone would have to disagree with you.

happydaze - given the massive crowds turning out along the route I'm not sure how you can say the public is largely disinterested.

Definitely finding this riveting though distracting from work LOL. Looking forward to it coming to my home town Cardiff on Fri Evening/Sat morning.

As 9 and 10 have said, one of the most satisfying aspects of the Torch Relay so far is that this should disprove once and for all the shrill blog-commenters on this site and others who claim that no-one's interested in the Olympics.

Fantastic work Mark, Roger and all others who have helped bring the relay to us. It's been fantastic to see.

@11 Yup been saying the same one of the best factors about torchcam is we know the crowds aren't being shown as propaganda highlight packages, you can see them for yourself.

Come on guys get a life!!! Sitting watching a web-cam of a torch being carried through the streets, BORING.

In fact cannot believe all the hype etc surrounding this, and we've still ages to go until the Olympics themselves.

One big anti-climax, stoked up by Seb and the 91Èȱ¬.

Can I vote that a commentary is not added. The pictures and sounds speak for themselves.

Question Mr Mosey, why is the torch relay available on red button everyday?

What's the fuss about? Same with the live text? The live coverage is just watching people get the torch, run with it, pass it on, run with it, etc etc etc, and the live text? What's the point of that? All you can put is "person X runs with the torch past some crowds of people on this street, now they pass it to person Y who runs alot with the torch, it's nice weather, look at all the people on the streets, the person carrying the torch looks happy" and so on.

For those saying what a waste of time, read this from my local paper - Population of Marlborough - 8,000, Out on the streets this morning - 6,000

Marlborough must be a pretty dull place if all it takes is a flame to get them excited.

Will be interested to see how the number of daily hits on the page holds up between now and the end of the relay.

Im loving every minute of it , we dont need narration watching and listening to the crowds is good enough, well done all concerned the security team and the police motorcyclists are doing a great job , ( i wish i was so fit ) there is only one problem with it im not getting any housework done (-: oh well .

Its great but its a shame that the coverage on the Red Button sport multiscreen is intermittent being dropped on Freeview channels to show Moto GP. Why can we not have a continuous stream on the Red Button Please. Its even worse if you have cable and TIVO you cannot get the multiscreen at all.

Is there any way the stream can be recorded either through the web or on the multiscreen? as my wife Cathy is a Torch bearer on Day 58 Southampton to Portsmouth and I would love to recod her bit on the torchcame. Even more so as she was nominated for having to learn to walk again 5 times No make it six as she is now having another spinal operation 21st June only 24 days before she carries the torch and is determined to walk it not do it in the chair.

On and we had three american visitors in the office on Monday who had nothing like this for Los Angeles and loved the view of the british countryside as the cam went in convoy, they said that was as great as seeing people carry the torch and what a neat idea I sometimes thing its the best bit.

Not going to bother watching all off the torchcam but seeing it go through my part of the country was very cool, pity there wasn't some kind of audio commentary though given that the text commentary occasionally lagged.

I feel that I must congratulate the 91Èȱ¬ on the continuous coverage of the torch relay on route through all the towns and villages.
This is Television at its very best. Keep up the good work!

Thankyou, Torchcam team! This is fantastic, I'm a Brit who lives in the US - and I've been watching every day.

The crowds and the atmosphere show just how excited the country really is for the Olympics, and the West Country's looking just beautiful in the sunshine.

It would be amazing if you could make an archive of the broadcasts available, perhaps with an interactive map that lets you go back and watch what's been seen. What an fabulous (if slightly weird) record of Britain in 2012 that would be :)

I love the Olympics and what they stand for, but I was a bit unbothered by the whole torch relay, I knew it was close to where I live today and checked out the live cam, it was that which gave me the impetus to get up and go and see it in the flesh (so to speak!) My four year old son & his friend were enthralled and that is what this Olympics is really about!!

Interesting blog as ever Roger.

Sorry to go off topic but please could I take this oppertuinity to ask you a couple of questions about the coverage as this is your first blog since the whole 91Èȱ¬ commentary and presentation team was confirmed.

Is John Inverdale going to be the main atheletics presenter in the stadium for the evening sessions? The only mention of him is as a rowing presenter.

Where will the 91Èȱ¬ studios be based? Presumablly a 91Èȱ¬3 studio will be nearby to the main 91Èȱ¬1/2 studio?

Is Celina Hinchcliffe part of the team? She has a biography in the press pack but no metion of her in the full list?

I'm also dissapointed that there is no room for Stuart Storey or Tony Gubba in the commentary team. But its nice to see that Nick Mullins will be back again.

Why is the torch-cam not on sky red button?

I am loving the torchcam - I live in the Midlands but have family in Bristol and Devon - brilliant to see all those places and the enthusiastic crowds.

BUT .......can I watch previous days' recordings - or is it all only instant ?
Getting ready for tomorrow and loving it !

To be honest ncurd, I don't think 100,000 is a big number of people out of the relevant population, spread along a road. Most people aren't bothering to stand around for hours just to be regaled by a Coca Cola wagon and a glimpse of a gold coloured cheese grater. Yes this cam is an interesting way to see things but that doesn't alter the fact that the great majority still see this event as a giant bore and a commercial sham. The 91Èȱ¬ is not reporting on the Olympics, it is being used as an advertising and propaganda medium.

No 29 (happydaze)... You should check up on your geography. The population of Cornwall is just over 500,000. I'd say 1 out of every 5 people from the county is a pretty significant turnout!!!

Please get it back on red button. It was great it being on there when it started.
it needs to be available to as many people as possible, - The torch is coming within half a mile of where my 80 year old parents live they will not be joining the crowds as they feel it will be too crowded and they have no computer. But if it was back on the red button they could watch this great occasion for their community

I can only echo the comments above - get the torch on the Red Button. It was there on Saturday, why not now? I have yet to have read any reasons why this can't be done. So far this week, the red button has had numerous showing of motorcycling, The Chelsea Flower Show and a chance to join in with the Lottery Draw! This is a once in a lifetime event. Surely it can be made available on the Red Button for those who wish to watch it but aren't lucky enough to have high speed web connection.

Roger- any explanation for the adverts that were reported to be seen on the feed as reported on this POV thread - post 81 ?


/dna/mbpointsofview/NF1951566?thread=8352461&skip=50

I would also like to see the torchcam on the red button too. It is absolutely perfect to have it without commentary it picks up the atmosphere so well.

Well there the Marlborough statistic above, it should be noted while Cornwall has population of 500k it didn't visit everywhere there.

Some stats from yesterday in terms of population to turnout.

Bath in Somerset has a population of 83,992 people those out in force an estimated 65,000.
Southwick has a population of 1,896 people those to see the flame 5,000! Mid-afternoon on a Tuesday
Trowbridge population 28,163 those turnout 15,000
Bradford upon Avon population 9,326 turnout 10,000

So w'ere getting over 50% turnout in places the flame is visiting and in some rural areas people are quite clearly making the trip to see it. Now I'd like to see your statistics for the majority of people being disinterested!

Like you said it's flame being carried on a cheese grater and a bunch of coca-cola vans. If this many people want to see that can you imagine what it will be like once the main event rolls into the country? Directly into your home?

Tell you what if it's the cost you dislike I worked out with the taxes I paid last year alone in income tax (so not including NI, council tax, VAT and my ruddy student loan) I would of paid for Olympics of myself and 399 other people. I'll say my contribution went purely on the Olympics for yourself and 398 of your miserable mates and yours can go on some tax cheat of some kind I don't care. Now can you kindly leave your ruining the party for everyone else.

It's tradition, so by all means film it. Try and keep some perspective though, It is just some fire being taken around some country roads by people.

The self congratulation at the 91Èȱ¬ is becoming tiresome.

As a member of the group finding the Torch Relay compulsive viewing, I feel a bit sorry for those who can't "get into" it - and even quite resentful of those who say it means nothing or is of no significance. For me it is far, far more than people running (or often walking) with a flame, as some correspondents feel. Rather, it is a national spectacle with an international dimension arising out of ordinary people turning out in countless thousands to cheer on the people in their communities who make a difference. To my mind, the enormous scale of the turnout, the volume of cheering and the unbelievable numbers of Union Flags tell us very clearly that people are proud of their communities and their country, and determined to show that they are cheerful and positive about their lives, difficult though the recession and all the rest may be. We learn from this that the overwhelming majority of the people of our country are not the cynical moaners and whiners whose views we see posted on line so often, but people positive about their lives and their futures in the context of communities and a country they take great joy from and pride in. And that country is now presenting itself street by street, village by village, town by town, in all the majesty, and with all the diversity, and with all the heritage and history, that we always knew to be there but now can see unfolding on a daily (even minute-by-minute) basis. It's a deeply moving spectacle that I absolutely cannot resist watching!

Oh yes, and one more thing - no commentary please, it's absolutely unnecessary and would do a great deal to destroy the beauty of the event. We can read all we need on the site accompanying the Torch Relay.

No ncurd, it's not the cost I dislike so much as the deceit. People must be very easily conned if they suddenly forget all the previous hype just because a coke wagon comes around. And I'd take those estimated crowds with a pinch of salt if I were you. But that's your opinion so fair enough. Seb will be pleased.

So far, I have watched the #91Èȱ¬TorchCam online, on the Red Button and on the Big Screen and it has become compulsive viewing. As a torchbearer myself in a few weeks time, I am emailing the 91Èȱ¬ Torch Relay web link to all my friends and family, so they can watch my 'moment to shine' in the event they can't make it along to the event itself. The coverage has been great and the only negative thing for me is that there isn't more 'mainstream' coverage. Is there scope to show ALL the coverage on the Red Button and/or on one of the new 91Èȱ¬ Digital Olympic channels? It's obvious there is a growing demand for it!

If popularity was a measure of the worth of an 'event', we would still have bear-baiting, cock-fighting and public executions.


The coverage of an unnecessary spectacle has been excellent, but the whole idea of the 'tour' is risible. It would have been much better if it had been arranged as carrying the torch from Greece to London by a reasonably direct route, or even landing on UK soil as far from the Olympic Stadium as possible and then progressing towards London but the concept of running ever further away from London for the first month is laughable.

I'm just glad that Seb Coe is already a member of the House of Lords, because any suggestion that he should be ennobled as a result of the growing number of fiascos would be a step too far....

Sorry happy daze, I've seen the crowds that came out to see the torch in Bristol, there was an incredible turnout. My partners class (she is a teacher) also got to head out and welcome the torch, and absolutely loved it. It is heading to my homeland of Wales this weekend and everyone I have spoken to is excited about it. So please don't try and portray that no one is interested.

I think it's a great that the country is celebrating everything British. Union jack fever is taking hold and I really don't see what's wrong with that. Or maybe you're just supporting team GB in your own way, by acting as typically British as you can by complaining all the time ;-)

Happydaze have a look at the pictures to see how many are turning out and enjoying the experience. As others have said the moaners portray their views as fact when quite the opposite is true. Clearly people are interested in the Olympics and I imagine this is giving a little boost to the local economy it visits.

Ah my favourite argument "The continuous stream of unedited pictures and statistics must be wrong they don't agree with my world view". Sorry you loose all credibility there lets put it this way if the police estimation were 25% off those number would still be impressive. Are you suggesting they are that wildly out?

People like 'happydaze' remind me about the old saying about people who call themselves the 'silent majority'. Far from being silent, they talk loudly to drown out everyone else. And as this week has proved, they're also in a very small minority.

If you don't buy into the whole torch relay thing, fair enough. But just because you don't care, don't patronise us and say no-one's interested when every time you turn on the torch cam there is evidence to the contrary.

What a negative lot some people are! If they object to the torch relay so much, then why have they gone to the trouble of writing comments on this sight?! This whole event and everything that goes with it, is exactly what this country needs and has done for years. Too long as a nation have we been down beat and negative. At last something to be proud of and show the world that Britain has much more to offer. What better way to show our beautiful country off? Mother nature has helped it along by bestowing us with great weather too. I say to those miserable few, cheer up and show people some compassion . A lot of people have put a lot of hours into thinking, planning and making it happen for all of us to be made to feel part of the Olympics. I am extremely happy with it all and proud too. Well done the beeb. Go G.B!

Congratulations to all concerned with the torch cam at the 91Èȱ¬ but shame on Apple as my iphone does not support flash. How crazy is that?

How can someone watch such inspirational people carry the Olympic torch and complain. Yes the celebs get the big headlines but there are 8000 normal people carrying this torch. Scenes like the 16 yr old Ben Fox who despite losing a leg put on a great display and even managed a sprint at the end leaving the security team running to catch up. Or Andy Seward who at 67 and a wheelchair user, left his wheelchair to walk the last few yards of his stint. I could list so many fantastic moments that we have seen thanks to torch cam.

Personally, I am waiting for June 1st when Shaun Malone carries the torch in Croston. Shaun spent 3 years in Billy Elliot in the West End and then shortly after he left developed sinusitis which spread to the brain. Close to death, he spent a week in a coma and was left paralysed down one side as a result. He has had to relearn everything again such as walking. I thought I would miss seeing him carry the torch as I can't be there to watch, thanks to torchcam I can, so thank you 91Èȱ¬.

Excellent idea and it works extremely well - but an archive is essential when possible please. When it passed near me I was there of course, so I'd love to watch back and see everything I couldn't in person.

I have actually been very disappointed with the overall coverage. When it is working it is fantastic, really emotional, watching the crowds cheering waving and showing our country off in the most wonderful way. It is something none of us have seen before, and you know what, a lot of people have not had the chance to see hardly anything. The peak bits every night the system crashes. Last night the Torch was late getting into Cheltenham Race Course (and no problem with that) but the TV just went off the air and we missed it! Really with 5 years in the planning don't you think we should be getting better coverage of this. Or do you think the 91Èȱ¬ drastically under estimated the demand? I think they did. Look how can you get the Tour de France up in the Alps a PERFECT picture for the whole race travelling like this, thousands of miles. Don't tell me it takes dozens of helicopters, it doesn't. Yes they do use them, but not dozens, as was suggested to me by a member of the 91Èȱ¬ Staff on Twitter. It is such a shame that the viewers with internet access are getting a poor reception quite a lot of the time, and it is really a massive shame that most people without internet access can not see it, live on tv, or on the red button. Wimbledon? Don't make me laugh they use 4 5 6 screens on the red button, surely one can be given up for this? I think the 91Èȱ¬ have made a massive mistake with the coverage, the website is excellent, and when it is working it is excellent, but overall I am disappointed.

I think it is a great idea but it can fail and fail spectacularly. I was in Somerton in Somerset for the torch to pass and my brother in London watching and partner in Spain. All going well on the drive from Ilchester.... almost in Somerton and... no picture... NOTHING! Only to restart as the torch left the town and was heading to Street!
Somerton had done an amazing job of decking the town out in red, white and blue and everyone was really looking forward to seeing it live on the web. It just didn't happen.
... I think an archive of recorded footage would be a great idea as although not live I think many in the town would appreciate viewing it along with those who weren't so fortunate to see it live on the day!

Getting my two-pence worth in here - the live commentary of torchcam invites comments on Facebook or Twitter but as I'm not there...

So, another international viewer here, this time from Finland. I'm hooked, torchcam is definitely my Internet hit of the summer. I've got it on in the background all the time and dip in whenever there's a break at work. Amazing job with only a dodgy 3G network! And when the picture freezes or goes black, it just reminds me to get back to work! ;D

The great thing is that via torchcam you're basically taken on a tour of the country, to see what it really looks like in the countryside and the towns and villages. I'm glad torchcam now seems to take more wider shots. If the torchcam could point a bit more to the side while in convoy mode to really take in the scenery, then I'd be very happy indeed! Don't forget, it's great tourism advertising for Britain! (I used to watch Tour de France just for the scenery!)

Closer shots of the torchbearers are also nice, to see the pride and joy on their faces, and I like the links in the commentary to find out who they are... OK, the cynic in me first thought it gets a bit tedious, in every town there's the 60-70 yr old local (male) sports coach, the overachieving popular teenager, the busy chari-dee lady of certain age, the disabled person, the war veteran... But then I realised that these people were nominated by their own communities, that they are people who really matter or inspire in their own communities. Can't argue with that. It's actually quite inspiring.

Of course some torchbearers make total prats of themselves, high-fiving and waving like film stars. Or that ballet girl yesterday, that was all about me, me, me, look at me! when the Olympic torch should've been the centre of attention. Well, I absolve her because she was very young.

I'm amazed how many people are turning up to watch the torch relay even on weekdays, middle of the day. It's all very happy and cheery (love all the bunting!) and I'm looking forward to the rest of the torch relay - will it be the same in Wales, Northern Ireland, and -god forbid - Scotland, where most of the population wants independence from the UK, or at least more self-determination. Will the torch relay crowds be there, and will they be waving Union Jacks or Saltires? Whatever's the case, looking forward to torchcam Scottish scenery very much. Thank you, 91Èȱ¬, for this great summer treat!

LOVE torcham, but missed my kids school on it. :( Is there any way to replay?

please lovely director, I know I will be criticized by some for self seeking glory and pride, but is there any chance we can get our hands on the live feed coverage?

I ran on Day 2, in Totnes and my housebound, visually imapaired mother-in-law lost her red-button coverage because she struggles to operate the remote control. She is naturally disappointed and I would love for her to see the footage.

Personally, and I recognize some people don't 'get it', but for the unsung heroes of our county (and I don't mean the celebrities) this is their moment, for a few minutes their efforts to make this world a better, brighter place, are acknowledged.

I represent a wonderful team of volunteers who support young people, many of whom have become vulnerable through alcohol and drug abuse. The volunteers arrive after a hard day a hard days work, and give their all to the young people, with little thanks and no financial reward.

The Torch Relay is about people like them - people like me just get the joy of representing them!

#bbctorchcam is being spoiled by it being a internet only event, 3 sport screens on sky red button that are unused this weekend and it will be up to 5 unused sport streams by Monday as there is no other sport on until the weekend

I am loving this , its so addictive im already worrying about going on holiday and not being able to watch ha ha . house work neglected etc , its so great to see so many people out on the streets wonderful , much praise to the security teams wow they will be even more fit and slim by the end .

Brilliant work, thank you 91Èȱ¬, it's been great watching the torch progress through places I know and if I'd stayed at home to watch it through my home town I would have seen much more than I did out on the street. Also thanks to the relay organisers and security teams, fantastic organisation and team work.

For me it was one great dissapointment. My family travels to Much Wenlock - the home of the modern-day Olympics. I'm in London, sat at work, get the computer ready, then the stream fails. For the whole duration of it being in Much Wenlock. #TorchcamFail

I agree with the previous comment, after watching on and off throughout the day, it gets to the Much Wenlock leg we (and many other family and friends) have been waiting for, specifically the leg my wife's 83 year old grandad was running, and the stream goes off for the whole time the relay is there. Very disappointing as it's something we're never going to see again, and still no archive footage anywhere that I can find.