In a statement issued following the massive mishap, which leaves viewers fuming online, the network blames the mistake on 'a network programming timing error.'
- Apr 15, 2024
AceShowbiz - CBS has spoken out following a massive mishap during the broadcast of "The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden - The Greatest Arena Run of All Time" on Sunday, April 14. In a statement on Monday, the network issued an apology after the show was abruptly cut off during "Piano Man".
In the statement, CBS blamed the mistake on "a network programming timing error." It said, "A network programming timing error ended last night's Billy Joel special approximately two minutes early in the Eastern and Central Time Zones."
"We apologize to Mr. Joel, his fans, our affiliated stations, and our audience whose viewing experience was interrupted during the last song," it continued. "Due to the overwhelming demand from his legion of fans, 'Billy Joel: The 100th - Live at Madison Square Garden' will be rebroadcast in its entirety on CBS on April 19th at 9:00 P.M. ET/PT."
The Sunday's broadcast was initially slated to run from 9-11 P.M., but it was delayed for about half an hour due to the network's live coverage of the Masters golf tournament. As a result, viewers could not get to see the climactic ending of the special as the show was cut off to local news at 11 P.M. when Billy was singing the final chorus of his iconic song "Piano Man".
The unceremonious ending understandably left viewers enraged. "CBS has been promoting the Billy Joel concert special every two minutes for WEEKS. So what better way to air it than to preempt it for a half hour and the cut him off MID-PIANO MAN? C'mon guys," one fuming fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"WTF - CBS New York of all places!!... You cut off the ending of the Billy Joel 100th show right at the ending of Piano Man!! Where's the end of the show??" another fan complained. One other wrote, "Are you kidding me @CBS ??? You advertise the Billy Joel 100th Madison Square Garden concert for WEEKS. And you delay it and then cut it off during PIANO MAN to broadcast the news??? You can't be serious with this!!! #BillyJoel100 #BillyJoel."
