F1 To Be Split Between BBC 1 and Sky Sports from 2012

[S951]

sky are supposed to be showing testing as well plus loads of other stuff so be prepared to share some streams if they are about

[dinizintheoven]

Got to admit, I'm still really split on this one. I have been watching F1 since the 1990 season. I have not missed a race since Portugal 1995. I've seen every race since then live or "as-live" a bit later if I've been away, except for Turkey 2007, which I somehow forgot, watched the highlights, obtained the full race and then never watched it. For the first time since I have no idea, I will not be up at stupid o'clock in the morning watching the Aussie race because I'll be in north Wales, and it makes more sense to obtain it via other means - this does at least mean I can defer handing over my money to That Awful Man until the second race of the season. Better still, as Virgin Media (don't laugh) are carrying the F1 channel, I don't have to sell out hook, line and sinker to That Awful Man. But what happens when I get to the first BBC race? On one hand, part of me says I should watch it on Sky anyway, seeing as most of the BBC team (at least those I care about) have decamped to Sky, and why would I want to not use something I'm paying 25 quid a month for? But then, Sky's coverage will be full of adverts, and there'll be the option to watch it without those breaks. And with Ben Edwards' commentary, or so the story goes.

This whole load of shenanigans has really not been well thought out...

[Paul Hayes]

Here we are then, the channel's up and running properly with the preview show this evening... Anyone else watching?

The opening monologue was almost as overblown as some of the BBC's ones... Who writes this rubbish?

[dr-baker]

Here we are then, the channel's up and running properly with the preview show this evening... Anyone else watching?

The opening monologue was almost as overblown as some of the BBC's ones... Who writes this rubbish?

I'm probably not going to get access to that channel until September at the earliest, and even then, it'll depend how desperate I am, and whether I am gagging to watch every race live instead of relying on radio coverage.

Do other countries get radio coverage of F1, or are we alone in that?

[Wizzie]

Here we are then, the channel's up and running properly with the preview show this evening... Anyone else watching?

The opening monologue was almost as overblown as some of the BBC's ones... Who writes this rubbish?

I'm probably not going to get access to that channel until September at the earliest, and even then, it'll depend how desperate I am, and whether I am gagging to watch every race live instead of relying on radio coverage.

Do other countries get radio coverage of F1, or are we alone in that?

I'd assume the UK is unique in that regard. Although people from outside the UK can access 5Live through the iPlayer without having to go through proxy servers

[Nuppiz]

Do other countries get radio coverage of F1, or are we alone in that?

I'm not sure if it's possible anymore, but at least a few years back I remember it was entirely possible to follow F1 through the radio here in Finland.

[Paul Hayes]

I thought the first episode of the imaginatively-titled "The F1 Show" on Sky was a decent effort, although perhaps a little over-long at two hours.

I'm not sure about the presenter yet, although he's not too irritating... Hill, Brundle, Kravitz and Davidson were all good, although the one element I really didn't like was the bloke who knew nothing about F1 arsing about at testing.

Overall, it reminded me of when ITV went F1-overboard on their opening night of coverage 15 years ago... I think once they settle down and become a bit more focused, with actual races to cover, they will be much sharper.

[Shizuka]

Do other countries get radio coverage of F1, or are we alone in that?

Hungary gets it on MR1 - Kossuth. It's like BBC's Radio 1 for UK, but without any payment.

[Paul Hayes]

Do other countries get radio coverage of F1, or are we alone in that?

Hungary gets it on MR1 - Kossuth. It's like BBC's Radio 1 for UK, but without any payment.

Bit odd to think of a Radio 1-type station doing full F1 commentary!

[dr-baker]

Do other countries get radio coverage of F1, or are we alone in that?

Hungary gets it on MR1 - Kossuth. It's like BBC's Radio 1 for UK, but without any payment.

BBC Radio 1 doesn't require payment either. The BBC only collect money for TV licences, not radio licences. And they are advert-free too...

I'd assume the UK is unique in that regard. Although people from outside the UK can access 5Live through the iPlayer without having to go through proxy servers

I lived in France in 2003/4 and I did try listening to the race coverage on Radio 5 Live via the internet, and could listen to all the pre-race coverage... as far as the warm-up lap, where I was then informed that I was not permitted to continue listening in my current location. Has this changed since then?

[Barbazza]

I thought the first episode of the imaginatively-titled "The F1 Show" on Sky was a decent effort, although perhaps a little over-long at two hours.

I'm not sure about the presenter yet, although he's not too irritating...

Is that Gary Newbon? I was looking at the schedules and noticed that he was presenting something. If so, he's OK - he was on Central News doing Sport for years. I believe he's regarded as a bit up himself, but there are definitely many worse presenters.

I was watching the F1 channel (non HD variety) earlier actually - it seems to be free to watch, not sure if that's all weekend though. I was quite shocked to see an F1 Review of 1988 appear!

[Paul Hayes]

I thought the first episode of the imaginatively-titled "The F1 Show" on Sky was a decent effort, although perhaps a little over-long at two hours.

I'm not sure about the presenter yet, although he's not too irritating...

Is that Gary Newbon? I was looking at the schedules and noticed that he was presenting something. If so, he's OK - he was on Central News doing Sport for years. I believe he's regarded as a bit up himself, but there are definitely many worse presenters.

No, it's a chap called Simon Lazenby.

[eagleash]

I thought the first episode of the imaginatively-titled "The F1 Show" on Sky was a decent effort, although perhaps a little over-long at two hours.

I'm not sure about the presenter yet, although he's not too irritating...

Is that Gary Newbon? I was looking at the schedules and noticed that he was presenting something. If so, he's OK - he was on Central News doing Sport for years. I believe he's regarded as a bit up himself, but there are definitely many worse presenters.

No, it's a chap called Simon Lazenby.

He's been presenting SKY's Rugby coverage for a couple of years apparently. So Lewis will be "tackling" Felipe this year perhaps?

[S951]

can someone remind me as to which races the bbc will be showing again

[Wizzie]

can someone remind me as to which races the bbc will be showing again

All the crap ones basically

[James1978]

The BBC Have:

China
Spain
Monaco
Europe
Great Britain
Belgium
Singapore
Korea
Abu Dhabi
Brazil

If I hadn't got Sky I'd be most gutted about Australia and Canada not being live.

[Wizzie]

The BBC Have:

China
Spain
Monaco
Europe
Great Britain
Belgium
Singapore
Korea
Abu Dhabi
Brazil

If I hadn't got Sky I'd be most gutted about Australia and Canada not being live.

China's debatable as a good race at best. It's only good because it rains pretty much all the bloody time whenever the race is on

[James1978]

Last year's was brilliant and completely dry!!!

[Wizzie]

Last year's was brilliant and completely dry!!!

Oh crap, it was too

In that case, I retract my previous statement

[AdrianSutil]

So British people, with the Australian race being on at about 2am on the Sunday, when will the BBC show the full re-run? About 6am?

[seleucid23]

So British people, with the Australian race being on at about 2am on the Sunday, when will the BBC show the full re-run? About 6am?

Hate to break it to you, but there is no re-run. Australia is one of the races exclusive to Sky, so there's only highlights.

And the race starts at 6am over here, has done for a few years.

[Warren Hughes]

According to Jake Humphrey on Twitter, there will be a two-hour long highlights show at 2pm.

[dr-baker]

Well, being in uni halls for just another few months (until the end of May), I am left with little choice, but to follow the race live on...






the BBC!!!!








Radio.... Better than nothing.

[TheBigJ]

I hope Sky receive dreadful ratings. They're bastardizing the sport already with plenty of chatter and cleavage but no real technical expertize. F1 fans tend to be smarter than footie fans...

[GwilymJJames]

Apparently only 175,000 people watched the intro show.

[BlindCaveSalamander]

Apparently only 175,000 people watched the intro show.

That's only the intro show, though, but it doesn't bode well. The real test will be the GP proper. Last year, the BBC regularly pulled 6 million viewers in races. Somehow I doubt Sky will be able to match that.

[AndreaModa]

I think they know that though. They're always aiming to a smaller audience because everyone with a TV has the BBC, whilst not everyone with a TV has Sky. I think if they manage between 2-3 million they'd be pretty pleased. That would be around half of the BBC's share last year.

[dr-baker]

I hope Sky receive dreadful ratings. They're bastardizing the sport already with plenty of chatter and cleavage but no real technical expertize. F1 fans tend to be smarter than footie fans...

They have cleavage?!?! Ermmm, and are the right responses aren't they?

I think they know that though. They're always aiming to a smaller audience because everyone with a TV has the BBC, whilst not everyone with a TV has Sky. I think if they manage between 2-3 million they'd be pretty pleased. That would be around half of the BBC's share last year.

They'll be pleased to half the audience of a sport?

[AndreaModa]

Absolutely. It's simple economics. If Sky can effectively have half of the BBC's audience share, then that's a lot of increased revenue. £40 million a year is a drop in the ocean when you're raking in £30 a month from each punter, regardless of whether the audience is more or less than what the BBC got. As soon as Sky has the lot, that's it. They will have achieved their aim and can do whatever they want with the sport.

[Shadaza]

I hope Sky receive dreadful ratings. They're bastardizing the sport already with plenty of chatter and cleavage but no real technical expertize. F1 fans tend to be smarter than footie fans...

I wouldn't say that is fair, having watched BBC's 2011 season review and Sky's build up show, it was fairly clear which team was the most professional. "So what about Renault" "I don't really know what happened there" vs a detailed 3D drawing explaining the rule chances and how the controversy with the exhausts in how teams are using the air flow around the car to suck exhaust gasses down to the rear of the car. We never got that kind of detail from the BBC.

I can see why the switch to Sky is problematic but aside from the ridiculous feature where we had some football pundit prancing around the introduction show was very in depth and informative.

[Sunshine_Baby_[IT]]

Do other countries get radio coverage of F1, or are we alone in that?

Here in Italy there's a radio coverage on a radio channel of Rai Television, the same broadcaster who has the TV coverage (and the internet coverage too, because TV channels can be watched for free on Rai website). Anyway, when there's Formula 1 in the same time of football matches, there are many interruptions during the radio commentary, in order to give news about football.
So luckily TV coverage is better (specially for Ivan Capelli as commentator), there's just a few advertising, an adv interruption generally doesn't last more than 30 seconds, at least during the race.

[Shizuka]

Do other countries get radio coverage of F1, or are we alone in that?

Hungary gets it on MR1 - Kossuth. It's like BBC's Radio 1 for UK, but without any payment.

BBC Radio 1 doesn't require payment either. The BBC only collect money for TV licences, not radio licences. And they are advert-free too...

Well, they are doing the quali and the race, AFAIK, and without advertisement breaks. We'll see this weekend anyway.

[dr-baker]

Do other countries get radio coverage of F1, or are we alone in that?

Here in Italy there's a radio coverage on a radio channel of Rai Television, the same broadcaster who has the TV coverage (and the internet coverage too, because TV channels can be watched for free on Rai website). Anyway, when there's Formula 1 in the same time of football matches, there are many interruptions during the radio commentary, in order to give news about football.

So this is identical to BBC TV and BBC radio sharing F1 then. Plus the radio will cut away to football, cricket, horse-racing, golf, whatever else is on. Radio 5 is just a sports network, alongside 5 live Sport Extra, its sister station.

[AdrianSutil]

BBC Radio 5live has full race commentary at 5:30am-08:00am on Sunday morning. Sounds appealing, until you find out it's being done by James Allen and Jaime Alguersuari.

BBC 1 has the full highlights from 14:00pm-16:00pm the same day, so I assume it's a full re-run, and that's the one I'll be watching. So a 12 hour forum ban for me on Sunday morning

[CoopsII]

BBC Radio 5live has full race commentary at 5:30am-08:00am on Sunday morning.

Maybe Im getting old (OK, theres no maybe about it) but the idea of getting up at 530 just to listen to the radio sounds insane.

[big_sly_doc]

Seeing as us colonial commoners here in Australia as well as most of the English speaking world received the BBC feed for our commentary, does anyone have the foggiest who is doing the commentary here in Australia now? Are we getting the live feed of the BBC coverage team with Coulthard and Ben Edwards? Which would place our coverage above the UK!! Or the Sky feed with Brundle and Crofty? Or even the Five Live feed with James Allen and Alguersuari? One HD seem to be playing it close to their chest. Even James Allen who does do the pre-race paddock chat before the race for One HD won't tell us.

I don't care who it is. Anyone is better than Greg Rust. Once or twice last season, the feed got cut off on the parade lap and it was pitiful. I guess he did his best in an unexpected situation, but still.

As a Ex-Pom I do feel sorry for you guys over there with this ridiculous Sky-BBC carry on, but at least the majority of the race are on at a reasonable time for you. The average F1 race start time here in Australia is somewhere between 9 and 11pm. The US, Canadian and Brazilian races start at something like 2-4am on a Monday morning for us. For those of us who have to work, it not really a go-er. I would say that since I moved to Australia, I have had to watch at least 50% of the races on either the Foxtel iQ box or on the One HD website the day after. So you guys really have been spoilt recently with both the best coverage and the best time to watch it. Would be looking forward to 7 hours of coverage Friday, Saturday and Sunday if I wasn't working 2pm to midnight shifts over the weekend!

[big_sly_doc]

Just found the answer to my own question on the Herald Sun. Australia is getting the Sky feed. Bit surprised about that given that it is on One HD and not a Foxtel channel, but I suppose Ten network is about 18% owned by Lachlan Murdoch.

Least we get Brundle, but I will miss the partnership he had with Coulthard. I guess we will see how well Crofty does in his transition from radio to TV. Jonathan Legard was hardly a runaway success in his transition.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/grand ... 6299176716

[dr-baker]

Seeing as us colonial commoners here in Australia...

Reference to 5 Live Film Review podcast with Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode?

[the Masked Lapwing]

Another article about the Australian feed:
http://www.speedcafe.com/2012/03/14/ten ... roadcasts/

This one confirms that we'll still have to listen to three of the biggest idiots on the face of the planet. And Craig Baird. And how is a guy who can finish 2nd and still can't even nail down a V8 Development Series drive become an expert F1 commentator?


Oh, right. The son of an F1 Reject. How could I forget?

[big_sly_doc]

Seeing as us colonial commoners here in Australia...

Reference to 5 Live Film Review podcast with Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode?

Yes indeed! I've been addicted to Kermode and Mayo for years and years! Religious podcast listener!

Another article about the Australian feed:
http://www.speedcafe.com/2012/03/14/ten ... roadcasts/

This one confirms that we'll still have to listen to three of the biggest idiots on the face of the planet. And Craig Baird. And how is a guy who can finish 2nd and still can't even nail down a V8 Development Series drive become an expert F1 commentator?

Oh, right. The son of an F1 Reject. How could I forget?

They are definitely bad, even compared to Jim Rosenthal when he was doing it for ITV, but I think the coverage we get on One HD is actually reasonable. It's definitely better than what we got before One HD started.