F1 TV coverage

I love my Formula 1 and believe in the last few years it has regained it’s position at the pinnacle of motor racing. I was however far from impressed when the BBC decided to ‘shelve’ their F1 coverage and only cover half of the races live. I was a big fan of their previous coverage and was concerned that SkyF1 wouldn’t cut the mustard! Not having Sky was also an issue – but luckily I ‘got around’ that issue.

Sky made their first great move by getting Martin Brundle as commentator, his race coverage is second to none (sorry DC), yes some of the analysis is a bit lame (Sky ‘have to have’ pretty ladies in some roles for some reason), but otherwise the coverage is excellent. And the Sky sport app on the iPad with its data and additional views is just amazing.

So it is good to see that they have been voted best F1 coverage – taking the crown from the BBC. Quite how the BBC thought they could cover half a season of racing and get away with it I do not know – they still have to name their new front man as well. So I can only see their coverage going one way!

Well done Sky (I never thought I would say that!)

 

F1 and the BBC

So it’s here, the new Formula One season, lots has been written in the six months since the BBC’s slightly bizarre decision to do a deal with Sky over Formula One coverage. F1 was with out doubt on a roll last season despite the dominance of Red Bull, so the BBC’s thinking behind dropping live coverage of half the races was to say the least strange – even stranger was their chosen bed fellow!

let battle commence

Over the past few weeks the Beeb has been advertising it’s coverage and telling us it will be the best yet – really? We have six world champions on the grid, the cars appear much closer (apart from Ferrari!) so we should be in for a treat – except the first two races and all that go with it won’t be live.

Having watched the qualifying for Melbourne on Sky I have to say that the first two races should be very interesting; Ferrari are nowhere near the pace, Mercedes have a trick rear wing, Renault (or is it Lotus?) have a new star, and McClaren are back – oh, and the Red Bull dominance may be over?

So I am looking forward to watching the races live, in the modern world everyone will know the result almost immediately – so watching hours later on the BBC just won’t cut it. From what I have seen so far the Sky coverage is good, yes I will watch the Beeb on their live shows, but it just won’t be the same.

Another massive home goal by the BBC!

 

BBC Radio 4 – a great British institution!

I have been having my issues with the BBC recently – the announcement that the Formula One coverage is to be halved from next season rather annoyed me if I am honest. I have sort of got over that now and was really pleased to see that Radio 4 is increasing its listener number while some of the other more ‘popular’ BBC channels are losing listeners. Apparently almost 450,000 more people are tuning in each week compared to last year.

I am not sure if it’s something that one grows into with age or not (sadly it probably is), but I have been waking up to the Today program on radio 4 now for years. There is something very comfortable about the Today program – John Humphries, Evan Davis and their colleagues bring the news to you in a very friendly and accessible way – it’s like your personal morning news briefing.

I don’t feel as if I am being ‘bludgeoned’ awake as I would if I listened to Chris Moyles on Radio 1 (frankly he annoys me – but again that’s probably an age thing). And Chris Evans is fine once I am in my car, but not to wake up to!

Radio 4′s broadcasting during the day can also be fantastic for driving to  – and now I do sound old – the plays or documentary programmes are excellent, I often tune in between listening to albums from my iPod (albums not a selection of tracks – please note!). And then of course there is the Archers………..

So BBC Radio 4, well done and long may you broadcast. You are without doubt one of the Corporations ‘jewels in the crown’.

Give it a go sometime, you might actually surprise yourself – radio is the future!

 

BBC – so what am I paying for?

The announcement today that the BBC is to in effect stop providing coverage of Formula One racing should not probably come as a great surprise to any of us – the suggestion was in the press weeks ago – no doubt leaked to prepare people. I am sorry to see it go, their coverage has been first class and the viewing figures rather good - getting over 6m viewers for a race puts F1 behind only football as the most watched sporting event in the uk, and its getting these viewing figures 20 times a season, apart from football no other sport can say that.

I like my motor racing, but not enough to pay Mr Murdoch for Sky Sports – I don’t want any of his other sport offerings so why would I pay to see them? A pure F1 feed might be different (and cheaper) but I can’t see that happening.

Sky coverage just won't be the same!

For the BBC to say that they are still covering the F1 season when only 50% of the races will be on BBC is frankly crazy – and has made me consider quite what we should be getting from our licence fee?

I am a Virgin Media user – and despite my spat with Virgin Mobile – really rate their service. I pay a monthly fee and get lots of channels (including the BEEB). So why do I need to pay a licence fee as well? I think the time has come to allow advertising on the BEEB and let them compete with Sky directly. Or if we need a public service broadcaster put the money into news radio and internet coverage – something that they do really well.

And as for Bernie saying just a few weeks ago that F1 needs to be on free TV – what happened there (or does half the season count)?

Yes I am feeling cross at the announcement, but it highlights the fact that the BBC is not what it was and never be again, those days have gone - either it goes back to its roots and produces quality stuff or continues to ‘dumb down’ and produce brainless cheap TV – you know the sort of thing – Strictly or other Saturday night rubbish……