Yes, I am aware that this is not exactly breaking news and apologies to anyone not in the UK, this story probably won’t interest you that much. I have searched the section and can’t find anything really covering this matter and I think it’s an important one here in the UK and I want to know:
“Does the general F1 fan-base here in the UK share my opinions on the news of big shift?”
What are the reasons for the shift? Well the official quotes are as follows...
Ecclestone: “It's not that we are unhappy with ITV but I think maybe they will have their hands full with other things and maybe the BBC can service us a bit better.”
ITV statement quotes: “It was a straightforward commercial decision”... “A lot of races are happening at night, they're not happening at peak time. That it is not particularly good value for money”
Okay, okay, okay... BUT... The Brazilian Grand Prix last year was the ITV’s most watched sports event of the year. The Formula 1 coverage must be the crown jewel in any TV stations sports broadcasting.
Did you know that when Lewis Hamilton raced on BBC’s Top Gear for his one lap in a reasonably priced car the viewing figures were higher than that of the ITV Brazilian Grand Prix coverage!
Is ITV crazy to lose such a deal?
Many believe that it’s a case of “sour grapes” as the contract has been terminated only three years into the current five year deal with ITV. This is mainly due to ITV’s commitment to the Football. According to Bernie Ecclestone, he is looking for the station to focus more on the Formula One coverage as the forefront of their sports broadcasting, and rightly so.
On the flip side ITV has just secured another season's worth of Champions League Football which they believe to be more profitable to the station than the unsociable, off-peak times of the races in the F1 calendar.
So there it is, the news many of us may have been waiting for: the coverage of the Formula One will return to the BBC. Finally our TV license money is being spent well.
No more annoying adverts to interrupt the action, no more annoying sponsor VT at either end of the commercial breaks. Apparently last season, the total time used on advertisements accumulated to over four hours of missed action, which averages at roughly 15 minutes per race in total... Can you imagine the uproar if 15 minutes were just chopped out of the Champions League Final for the latest advert for the new Sony Bravia 52” LCD TV?
Back to the good points: we can have our theme tune back (Fleetwood Mac – The Chain). What a great tune, the iconic theme, that tune that signified that it was game on! There wasn’t anything better to get you in the mood for a bit of Sunday afternoon racing. It made it what it was... Exciting!
Can we have Murray Walker too?
Unfortunately whilst the news of the BBC obtaining this exclusive five year deal made Murray almost fall out of bed, I believe he has said that he would struggle to run out an 18 race season and he almost certainly couldn’t keep up with the pace, unlike back in the good old days...
"And there are just a few more corners for Nigel Mansell to go to win the Canadian Grand Prix... and... He’s going rather slow.... HE'S STOPPING HE'S STOPPING!”... Classic Murray in exciting times.
The early front runner for the job is Richard Hammond from BBC’s Top Gear. I think it could be quite witty but I am not entirely sure his cheeky chappy ways would fit just quite right. Maybe it would just take some getting used to? Who do you want to see in the commentary box? Martin Brundle, Jonathan Pearce, James Allen, Ted Kravitz, John Watson, Damon Hill... Who else? Open forum people...
Just as a side note as I mentioned Damon Hill... Did you know that the last time a Brit won the Formula One World Championship the coverage was with the BBC? An omen maybe? Fingers crossed!
There are a lot of other changes set to come in place with the move to the Beeb, such as a very real possibility of viewing in High Definition (Heaven!), lots more interactive services on your “Red Button”, lots more on-line on that interweb thing, text info services for your mobile phone, full coverage on digital and analogue radio services... All bundled together make for an interesting experience and one I certainly can’t wait to take out for a spin. I think making the whole race weekend experience as accessible as possible is very important for not only existing fans, but also the youth of today growing up and taking an interest in their role models, such as the Lewis Hamiltons of the sport.
So we have lots to muse on. I think potentially this may divide the UK audience. However it will be edged by the fans of the Beeb, and that includes myself.
I am all for it and believe it will be a step in the right direction, which let’s face it in the light of some of the rule changes coming into the sport, it's maybe needed!
Roll on 2009, welcome back BBC.
This is where I hand things over to you guys to thrash it out amongst yourselves. Let’s have your views on this big exciting change. Who do you want on the commentary team? What features would you like to see? How can the Beeb improve on ITV's coverage? Overall do you think it’s a positive or a negative change?
Feedback guys...
Ben, over and out
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2 months ago
This may be old news, but its still great news!
I can't wait for the BBC to broadcast the Grand Prix after 12 years (i think).
I think the reason was eccelstone wants the best for F1 and having to share the same channel as the champions league etc, he feels that the BBC will do a better job.
plus I have heard many rumours that Top Gear will be involved in F1 and vice versa, drivers will have to, if asked, feature on TG, and maybe the F1 drivers board will feature more than 3 current drivers. (webber, button, hamilton)
I can't wait, no more ads, and a great theme tune!, ACE!
from 2 months ago
Yeah I think it is 12 years ... It only feels like 5 minutes ago, I was only young when it went over to ITV and I can remember not watching a full season out of protest, then I had to give in and deal with it but its going to be OH SO GOOD to be back !
As for the Top Gear link, I have heard that rumour too ... Should be fantastic having lots more of the drivers in the reasonably priced car, plue some of the features they could come off with will be amazing. Top Gear, Formula 1 ... All in the same place ... HEAVEN, put it in HD and I am leaving the missus ! Ha ha !
2 months ago
oh yea, BBC Free HD channels being launched soon, oh yes! SUNDAYS ARE GOING TO BE AWESOME!
from 2 months ago
OH ... YES ... THEY ... ARE !
Sun shining ... Patio doors and windows open ... Alcohol on the go ... The smell of a freshly lit BBQ ... The surround sound cranked up ... The F1 fully uninterrupted on the 42" plasma ...
I CANT BLOODY WAIT ... Ha ha !
from about 1 month ago
a HD service of the Formula One races are not going to be coming for the 2009 season, (I had an interview with the head of TV services at FOM). Sorry Guys! But one hopes that all the trackside comes in lovely HD!
from about 1 month ago
No way ... Thats bad news ! Such a shame ... Hopefully like you say everything else but the race will be HD ... Here's hoping ?
2 months ago
I think the bbc and itv do a great job, although it will be great without the adverts, and if itv thinks football is a better proposition then we are better off without them.
I actually think this night racing is a nonsense, it may be good in asia but Melbourne is probably the best venue on the calender and it will be ruined for ever
Neal
torquay
from 2 months ago
I agree ... I think we will be better off without them ! I am really looking forward to seeing how they work this night race ... Its either going to go VERY VERY well or spectacularly badly !... I hope it goes well ! ... Could be a great highlight of the calendar !
2 months ago
Looks like we need a little balance here, so ........................
Don't forget, whilst the BBC had moved on a bit from the "we can't see the pits fromour commentary position" days, which meant Murray and James Hunt were in the studio in London seeing only what we saw, they still interrupted things for the Badminton horse trials! At least ITV took breaks at "sensible" times.
But we'll give them the benefit of the doubt I guess.
from 2 months ago
YES ... A debate ... Finally someone who disagrees ... I knew there would be some where against it ... Thanks for your feedback John ... I appreciate you getting involved ... You have pointed some things out here which I have missed and I am glad you have brought them to the surface ...
Lets hope that commentator access will be 100% trackside and we get all exclusives first hand and we are not just getting delayed commentary from advanced pictures to a studio in London ... That would be such a let down .... Surely with the technology of today these things can be done so much better ? I really hope the Beeb step up to the plate on this one and really turn it out !
As for the interrupted viewing due to second rate sport such as showjumping or badminton (which I actually enjoy) being shown, well I personally dont remember it as I was only like 13 and dont think I paid full attention like I do now ... I am sure that there are no die hard F1 fans like ourselves who follow show jumping as a side order who wish to be updated with this stuff so fingers crossed that the Beeb keep it real and we get 100% unadulterated racing !
Thanks again for your comments John, appreciated !
2 months ago
Clarkson has confirmed that Hammond will have sod all to do with F1, as he never watched a LAP in his life. A lap, that's bad man. Even my 62 year old mother has watched a grand prix with me.
Oh, and James Allen has been told under no circumstances will he be going to the BBC. Thank God. I seriously punched my coffee table listening to him when the Turkish GP was on.
Steve Rider, Mark Blundell, Louise Goodman, Tim Kravitz, the whole lot are staying on. BBC feel that F1 fans are far too familiar with them for someone else to take the job.
No adverts!!!! I can't wait for next season. BBC have said that they can have control over when commentators want a replay, rather than Martin Brundle going mad when he can't get a replay. Their own production team will be BBC directors for the race coverage.
Oh yeah, we're getting it in HD. OH MY GOOOOOOOOD!
2009 will be my happiest year yet by far.
from 2 months ago
I dont believe that Hammond hasnt even watched a single lap ... Thats crazy ... EVERYONE has watched at least one lap surely ? As for your 62 year old mother ... Snap ... My mother she is 51 watches it like clockwork every week .... I always phone her to remind her its on but she has already beaten me to it ... Mothers ... Dont you just love them !
I like the sound of the commentators getting their replays when they want them ... Thats going to make things flow a lot better and will be WAY more informative as the commentators dont often know what they are getting a replay of sometimes with ITV ?
As for the HD ... Man thats by far away the biggest perk of them all ... It will be amazing ! It truly will !
2 months ago
The coverage in the USA was almost impossible to even find.
13 years--- IT felt like 25 ------damm it was bad.
Even the newspapers in Los Angeles failed to cover F1 racing
in it printed schedules, guess more people here watch soccer!
Also they did not both to rerun at a better time than 4:30am!
Can't wait for BBC coverage- I prayed for this.
Still an F1 fan Paul Waller
from 2 months ago
Wow ... Thats crazy ... You have done well to stay onboard mate with that ... Its shocking that this isnt worldwide ... Its a global sport and it should be shown globally ... Then again in America its different, you guys have TONS of adverts, what network would pay for the F1 and then on the back of that which companies would pay for the air time for adverts if they know they wont have as many views as lets say the Super Bowl (which incidently I stay up for every year!) ... I am glad u will have the full experience when the Beeb get it back on ... I take it u guys can get the BBC over the pond ?
2 months ago
BBC will probably broadcast F1 on BBC America, if that still runs. BBC Americsa is great, I never missed a TV show while in Vegas. Classic. America does love it's adverts though.
from 2 months ago
Vegas ... What a place ... I love it but whilst I am over there I have to get into the American ways and end up watching the NFL and Nascar ! Love it ... Out in Florida again this year and I will be in NY and Vegas next year ... GET IN THERE ! ... At least I dont risk missing any races now !
2 months ago
While I'm pleased that The BBC are showing F1, ITV's show has become slightly too dumbed down recently (F1 drivers skiing in the off-season...yawn!), ITV have also complimented their F1 broadcasts with lots of other motorsport as well.
They now show everything from GP2 to an entire day of national motorsport on the Touring Car program, which is fast becoming my favourite racing of the season.
The worry is, without F1 at the top of their broadcasting tree, will ITV continue with GP2, BTCC etc or will these series be cast aside to end up on satallite only?
(I don't think the BBC will quite return to its motorsport best of the mid-80s/early 90s)
from 2 months ago
Fingers crossed it does mate ... Will be good for us all if it does !
As for the full package including GP2 and BTCC, I dont know and to be honest on a life or death decision I couldnt care less as long as my beloved F1 is there FOREVER !
Cheers for comments Paul, appreciate it !
2 months ago
I understand what you're saying but to me there's more to Motorsport than just F1...
GP2 gives you a view into the stars of the future (Senna will be in F1 soon on name alone probably...) and BTCC..well it's just damn good racing and great to watch.
Sometimes F1 can be boring as we all know, but the other series come with great racing gaurenteed!
from 2 months ago
I couldnt agree with you more ... Of course there is more to motorsports than just F1 ... If you read my comment it says that if I was presented with a life and death decision the only stand out factor would be that I would want F1 to continue on the screens regardless ! I regularly check in on GP2 and the Touring Cars on ITV4 ... But I wouldnt miss them if they where gone because I could just watch it on Sky Sports or Setanta or whoever else would win the contract !
As for F1 being boring ... I dont think I have EVER been bored watching F1 racing ... There is always something going on !
2 months ago
Are you sure, have you SEEN the races in Hungary? (Where the highlight is usually a multi camera feed of Ross Brawn eating a banana! :-P )
F1 races aren't always the best, but hey, you can't win 'em all!
from 2 months ago
Ohhhh now thats some thrilling stuff ... Especially if he bit hit lip mid-banana !
2 months ago
Even though he's tied down to Top Gear and has not seen a lap of F1 (however I don't know that), Richard Hammond could be a decent commentator with F1, providng he knows what he's on about with wit involved
Steve Rider and Mark Blundell can stay as the frontmen, they're good, and Ted Kravitz and Louise Goodman in the pits, they're also good an get right on the money
James Allen GO! JUST GO! UR AWFUL! We need someone better than you. Brundle's a good commentator, he's proved that he can stay
As for the other commentator, I mentioned Hammond would be good, Clarkson, if he was even interested, would be awesome (but highly unlikely. I signed a petition for him to be Prime Minister you know, with over 45,000 others, he would be awesome).Hill would be good, Pearce would be good I guess, though his lack of F1 expieriance might be a hamper.
Preferred: Hammond + Hill (F1 knowledge mixed with wit)
Expected: Brundle + Blundell (they'll just be boring and stick with them maybe)
from 2 months ago
I can get on board with all that ... Definately ... I just dont know about Hammond though ... Everything else you said apart from Hammond ... I just dont think it would be right ... Dont get me wrong ... I would LOVE to see it because potentially it could be hilarious but there are times and places and I dont think F1 is the time or place ... Will be interesting to see just what they do come up with !
2 months ago
The move to the BBC hopefully will give a bit more of an un-biased commentary. It is very frustrating for viewers that are NOT fans of Lewis Hamilton to be subjected to hearing of and watching only this one driver. There are other people in the race. I do hope that the BBC will take heed of what the viewers want throughout the world, and not only viewers in the UK.
2 months ago
I think thats going to go 1 of two ways ... See if you agree ?
Option 1 - They think about their name ... The BBC ... The British Broadcasting Corporation ... BRITISH ... They could go all Patriotic with the Brit prde and stick behind Lewis, Jensen and David ... In my opinion ... Why not ? ... Other countries would do that !
Option 2 - They think about their reputation ... The BBC are renound for being very professional and they are a name to be trusted and looked up to as the benchmark, they stay neutral and give the full lot a level playing field ?
Personally ... I am all for either option ... I think either way I could get on board with the Zero adverts policy ... That is a MASSIVE perk !
about 1 month ago
I kinda liked ITVs coverage you know. I sort of feel like the ITV people haven't been given a fair deal. Lets face it, they made a few boobs like missing the end of the 2004 or 2005 San Marino Grand Prix but the advertisements have been managed reasonably well I think. Obviously the lack of adverts is a welcome feature of the BBCs coverage but I hope personally that the team from ITV travel over to BBC, I think Martin Brundle is a fantastic guy and enjoy his comments and features loads. James Allen to be honest I could take or leave but the others...I'm not altogether happy about the changes afoot.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah I think you are sharing what seems to be the general consensus, we all have a hatred for James Allen ... Is hatred too strong of a word ? We would all prefer someone who seems to know what they are talking about ... Ha ha ha ... Thanks for your comments Steven, appreciate it !
about 1 month ago
Well its not hatred as such, simply he's no Murray Walker is he? Never will be either.
from about 1 month ago
The BIG question ... Who can fill Murrays shoes ? I personally hope it will be Brundle, he knows his stuff, maybe with a fit bird for company ? Ha ha ... SWEET !
about 1 month ago
I agree with the idea that Richard Hammond would not be suitable, mainly because he hates F1!!!! He didn't even know Silverstone (allegedly) when they filmed that endurance race for Top Gear....
Definately it should be Brundle in the commentary box (although obviously in a secondary role) with probably Ben Edwards. He is an experienced man and drums up a lot of excitement in his commentary.
Offloading James Allen would be harsh, however he shouldn't be commentator, but maybe replacing Ted Cravitz and going back to his role of interviewing in the pits...he was good at that. Also Mark Blundell should go...
from about 1 month ago
I agree to unload anyone is harsh but the BBC need to listen to the real fans ... James Allen is terrible to be fair ... Makes way too many mistakes ... Says silly things that are annoying as hell ! ... Just think someone with some knowledge and common sense would be a lot more appreciated !
about 1 month ago
Well, I'm not defending JA, as he is completely caught up in Lewis-Mania and thus I feel is not the right man to be the main commentator, but I do believe he was decent in his previous role. If he doesn't get a position next year on the BBC team I won't bat an eye lid.
Plus I said to unload Blundell, so I'm not being completely leniant...
from about 1 month ago
I dont know about you mate but I am pretty sure the Beeb will come up with the goods ... I dont think they will let us down ... If they do, we can just mute the sound and play Fleetwood Mac over and over again very loud ! Ha ha
from about 1 month ago
Ha ha ha, that's not a bad idea!!!!! Fleetwood Mac is the tops!!!!
from about 1 month ago
You will just have to make the car sounds yourself ... Dont act like you have never done it before, ha ha ha !
about 1 month ago
FLEETWOOD MAC, Great, bringing back so many great memories.
Will be very good if David Coulthard is coming on board as pundit, as rumours are spreading that may be the case.
from about 1 month ago
The Mac seems to be one of the main points that people picked up on ... I think the vast majority are happy to have it back on BBC even if it is for "The Chain! Ha ha ... What a great tune though !
Yers I haveheard the DC rumour ... Sparked by Webbers great season and I think is it Vettels move to Red Bull in 2009 the pushes DC out and I dont think he would go elsewhere ... So yeah maybe a move to the Beeb could be an option ... Would be great considering how he speaks his mind on subjects ... Plus he is quite a funny guy at times ... Could work a treat !
about 1 month ago
thank god , its about time it went back to bbc im sick of the adverts i mean yeah it gives people chance to put the kettle on but thats what tea pots and urns are for :-) 2 hours of un-interrupted racing is like walking in the gates to heaven ,
from about 1 month ago
Hell yeah it is ... Roll on 09 season ... Its going to be a great providing the Beeb do a good job of it ... Dont want no half arsed shite where we get bloody badminton finals interrupting the action ... I hope they do a real special job of it with LOADS of build up and analysis ! Fingers crossed !
about 1 month ago
yep fingers crossed . if ITV didnt have breaks in between then it would be perfect but do you see them interrupting a football match in the 25th minute for example ...no . so i never understood why they did it with f1 . im sure bbc will do the best job they can, its very lucrative to have formula 1 races on your channel so they cant balls it up so to speak
from about 1 month ago
Yeah I agree ... Heres hoping anyway ... Its theirs to cock up now so lets hope they are on form !
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