BBC unveils London 2012 coverage for a digital age

THE BBC has unveiled plans for its digital coverage of the London Olympics, which will allow fans to watch events on the move – and in the office.

BBC1 and BBC3 will be the flagship Olympics channels, with BBC1 showing continuous coverage of the events except to switch to the news.

Audiences will be able to watch “wherever and whenever they want”, on PCs, mobiles and tablets, as well as TVs.

Phil Fearnley, who is in charge of the BBC’s digital coverage of the Olympics, joked that the Corporation’s digital offering could be seen “at work” on a PC in the “first truly digital Olympics” or while sitting in a cafe.

He said viewers would be able to watch live HD video coverage, switch between 24 live streams and rewind live coverage on their desktop.

The BBC has lined up presenters including Gary Lineker, Sue Barker, Clare Balding, Chris Hollins, Gabby Logan, Matt Baker and Sian Williams to front more than 2,500 hours of coverage.

Newsreader Mishal Husain, who is part of the presenting team, admitted viewers might not yet feel ready for dedicated coverage of the Olympics on BBC1.

“It might feel that way right now because the torch hasn’t arrived here yet but I think the momentum is going to build,” she said.

“This will be a summer that we will always look back and remember. It will build and build.”