BBC faces the music over backing dirges
Increasingly loud complaints from science fans viewing the BBC’s latest physics series, Wonders of the Universe, have led to the shows distracting background music being toned down.
Beeb bosses were forced into action after viewers complained that they were unable to discern the Mancunian intonations of its presenter, Brian Cox, above the din of its backing track.
It has prompted critics to re-dub the show, which sees Cox globetrot around the world to examine the formation of the Universe, as the “Wonders of Brian Cox and his Orchestra.”
Jonathan Renouf, the show's executive producer, said: "Clearly none of us set out to make programmes where we can't hear the presenter, so if we have got that wrong then we need to do something about it. There's been enough volume of complaints [sic] about this that I think we clearly have made an error of judgment.”
It comes against a growing tide of opposition to the introduction of “Muzak” to bombard listeners with a constant audio cacophony whilst watching clips which don’t necessarily warrant it.
Previously the BBC has trialled its red button technology to give armchair consumers the option to adjust their sonic experience.