BBC viewers expressed frustration with this year's Winter Olympics coverage from Italy after being compelled to abandon a segment mid-broadcast.

Audiences watching the cross-country event were left incensed when the feed abruptly terminated 40km into a 50km race.

Whilst the action transferred from iPlayer to live coverage on BBC Two, numerous viewers complained they received no warning about the switch.

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One exasperated viewer posted: "Hugest congrats to the @BBCSport @BBCiPlayer who covered 40km of the 50km cross country this morning and then just decided they couldn't be bothered to show the finish. WTF? It can't be that difficult to start and finish one race/event on an iPlayer channel."

They continued: "I was watching on my phone in the car, and suddenly it's just not there anymore. I don't want to switch to BBC2 or TNT. That's not the point."

Someone attempted to defend the broadcaster, responding: "They switched it from iPlayer to BBC 2, as they have been doing all the way through the Olympics. They even say what they are doing," the Express reports.

However, the original poster hit back: "Not for at least 10 mins they didn't. I was between TNT, iPlayer, and BBC2 in the car, swearing like a native. So annoying."

Another viewer agreed: "They've done it yet again. Every bl***y event is near enough. The worst coverage of the Winter Olympics ever."

"I saw it too, but what's worse is that something starts on one channel, then they switch to another channel, then switch back to the channel it was on in the first place!" somebody else moaned.

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This follows commentator John Huntbeing forced to issue an on-air apology after a camera blunder during Team GB athletes Matt Weston and Tabby Stoecker's gold medal-winning performance in the mixed team skeleton relay event last week.

Rather than capturing the crucial moment Weston launched into his sprint across the ice, the camera remained fixed on his coach, missing his start entirely. Although the BBC had no control over the broadcast, which formed part of the official Olympics coverage, presenter John told viewers: "Oh, what are they doing?"

"What are they playing at? That's terrible. That's a great start. Sorry about the pictures, but Matt is on his way."

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