A new life in the sun -TV series

[TorreDelAguila]

We find that programme format irritating in the extreme. Designed for folk presumed to have an attention span of 3-4 minutes, and, by repeating/flashing-forward numerous times, allows a small amount of content to be expanded to fill an entire programme slot. Affects so many programmes: even Countryfile. Also, I suspect, done on BBC output to allow the programmes, when sold to other broadcasters, to contain commercial breaks. Crass.

[peteroldracer]

The old adage about the Costa is still true - if you want to have a million pounds in your bank open a business on the CdS. The problem is that you must start with two million there....

[gerryh]

Mariners on the Marina are still in business.
Had the menu of the day there last Wednesday.
Food freshly cooked but not very exciting, but it was only €8.95 for three courses.
Cheers
Gerry

[truebrit]

It's just a tv programme. A lot of the time these people are just around for the programme. Anyone remember the couple few years ago who were going to open a snail farm. Just an invention by the tv company.

[lmj56]

You're correct. A few years ago we were invited to be in one of the similar programmes, the one with Amanda Lamb. We told them we had already bought but they said that's ok, just pretend you're still looking.

[Pamela1]

That is totally appalling and an insult to genuine people...any old lies to make a program...

[biribiri]

We find that programme format irritating in the extreme. Designed for folk presumed to have an attention span of 3-4 minutes, and, by repeating/flashing-forward numerous times, allows a small amount of content to be expanded to fill an entire programme slot. Affects so many programmes: even Countryfile. Also, I suspect, done on BBC output to allow the programmes, when sold to other broadcasters, to contain commercial breaks. Crass.

I thought it was just me that found this format of "coming up/previously" so irritating.
All the tv companies do it, it's just a cheap way of turning a half hour slot into a program that lasts an hour.
It has got so bad that apart from a few quiz shows, the news and football I don't bother watching tv at all.

I used to love"countryfile" when it had a half hour slot but now I find it so irritating that I don't watch it.
The same can be said of "Watchdog" Yet another show that was worth watching when it only lasted half an hour.

Just don't get me started on the ad breaks. I remember the time if you were quick there was time to make a swift cuppa and have a wee. Now there's time to have a shower, S**t and a haircut

[Miro]

I've recently switched from using Sky (via satellite and an old old box) to NowTV via the interweb. My viewing habits have completely changed with the discovery of catch up TV. I hardly watch anything live now (only soccer/F1 in fact), which means I no longer find myself wasting time watching the ends of programs I don't want to see, whilst waiting for my program to start, and most channels allow you to fast forward, rewind and pause programs. Particularly useful for these types of programs (especially as you have to get about 5 minutes in to them, past all the repetitive stuff, to even discover if it's an episode you've already seen!) and pausing them is a great substitute for ad breaks, which are fewer and shorter, or none at all, on catch up

[olive]

Miro- I agree with you about catch up TV changing completely your viewing habits. I recently lost my 907 for a few weeks and just watched stuff I downloaded. Makes you think twice about what you actually want to watch but it is great being able to do it when you want.

biribiri - I am glad there are others that find this modern format irritating. I too stopped watching Countryfile for that reason. The tell em what you are going to tell, tell it, tell em what you told them format may well be to pander for the current generation (not us oldies) who have short attention spans fostered by modern living e.g. texts as opposed to letters.

[lmj56]

Totally agree. It's so infuriating

[katy]

The homes type programmes use the same script all the time. Homes under the hammer has been running for years and they say the same everyday. The only difference is in the beginning it was young couples starting out, now they all seem to be landlords who own about 100 properties. Another change is the Presenters have got fatter

BBC news is the same, runs on about a 10 minute loop except for some lengthy reports from a third world country. Before the hour they spend at least 5 mins shoving their other programmes and that annoying countdown music!

The last I saw in the businesses abroad series a young couple had taken over a bar on Benalmadena Paseo. The Presenter spoke to an old Spanish man passing by and he said that it was about the third time the bar had changed ownership that year

[Wicksey]

I am so pleased that we are not the only ones shouting at the TV ....... the 'coming's up' and repetition drives us nuts at times. Even the news is the same now with the presenter telling us everything that the live reporter then tells us, sometimes almost word for word.

If we ever want to watch a Place in the Sun we record it now on Filmon and then we can fast forward through all the repetitive bits and adverts. It cuts down an hour programme to about half that time! On some of the Spanish TV channels they say how long the advert break will be ("volvemos en 6 minutos") so we we can go off and make a cup of tea

[katy]

...and why do they have someone "live" stood on a rooftop in Jordan reporting on something in Syria. Similar someone stood outside Downing St. At 11pm to comment on something Cameron said 12 hours previously.

[Wicksey]

We always think that too. Sometimes the reporter looks frozen cold standing outside number 10 in the pìtch dark (and sometimes a windy rooftop opposite parliament), and I wonder why they have to report from there and not the nice warm studio!

[katy]

One that made me smile was on SKY news. The man live on a roof top somewhere in the Middle East had to be told of breaking news from the studio of something happening in the next street to where he was standing

[katy]

This programme is back on this week. Giving up the will to live with the 'will they be ready in time' will they take a 1000 euro! The script consists of about 5 stock sentences.

[truebrit]

Did anyone catch last nights episode. Farcical..........

[elusive]

Those pie eaters cant be real.

[katy]

Two couples with no money buy a bar in Benalmadena surrounded by other derelict ones and commute 5 hours round trip from Alcaucin They then rent a villa closer...40 mins away! Down to their last thousand Euro, bar not open or stocked. Will it be all right on opening night? Probably, punters all arrive at the same time and the bar will take a thousand euros

[truebrit]

Almeria to Benalmadena ...........Alcaucin! Why Alcaucin, this has to be made up for the viewers.