BBC viewers

[FMecha]

Watching it live or a re-run later doesn't bother me either. As long as I don't know the result, I don't care. What I am tempted to do however, is read the first post in the IIDOTR thread after the race, just in case there's a post like:

1. Hiekki Kovalainen - Great drive for Caterham
2. Narian Karthikeyen - I can now click the link in FMecha's sig

The 'until HRT makes point' part on my sig actually means that I'm removing it when HRT scores point, man

[Barbazza]

Guys, I've finally given in.

My Sky+ box has been playing around for ages, and over the bank holiday weekend the picture was glitching all the time, even when the weather was good!
So my choices were get a replacement box under no warranty or get an HD one with 3 months free HD package (including the F1 package) and a 12 month warranty. I went for the latter.

I wasn't convinced that the box would even turn up by tomorrow but it arrived today. Good timing, eh?

[Minardi Man]

Guys, I've finally given in.

My Sky+ box has been playing around for ages, and over the bank holiday weekend the picture was glitching all the time, even when the weather was good!
So my choices were get a replacement box under no warranty or get an HD one with 3 months free HD package (including the F1 package) and a 12 month warranty. I went for the latter.

I wasn't convinced that the box would even turn up by tomorrow but it arrived today. Good timing, eh?

mmmmm, Jacques shiny new head in HD.

[Barbazza]

Oh god, I hadn't factored that in!

Mind you, I managed to sit through Harry Redknapp's ugly face in HD today so that was a good warm-up I guess.

[Paul Hayes]

Didn't realise until John Murray just mentioned it during the Span v Italy football commentary that Jonathan Legard is back on his own stomping ground as the 5 Live (Sports Extra) commentator Canada.

What's James Allen up to this weekend, then?

[CoopsII]

...tired...so very tired...

[Barbazza]

If Sky run the F1 channel for free one weekend - and they do have free Sky Sports weekends once a year usually - then it will be a fantastic opportunity for them to grab viewers (including this one)
I'm certain they will do this if it's not against the terms of their contract. Logically you would expect it to be one that the BBC are also covering and one of the dull to middling tracks - plenty of those to choose from!

Turns out I was right then. Sky Sports (including the F1 channel) is free this weekend.

I was wrong about it being a race that the Beeb are covering, but right about the track choice though!!

[AdrianSutil]

If Sky run the F1 channel for free one weekend - and they do have free Sky Sports weekends once a year usually - then it will be a fantastic opportunity for them to grab viewers (including this one)
I'm certain they will do this if it's not against the terms of their contract. Logically you would expect it to be one that the BBC are also covering and one of the dull to middling tracks - plenty of those to choose from!

Turns out I was right then. Sky Sports (including the F1 channel) is free this weekend.

I was wrong about it being a race that the Beeb are covering, but right about the track choice though!!

I have a standard freeview box, any way I can get it?

[pasta_maldonado]

If Sky run the F1 channel for free one weekend - and they do have free Sky Sports weekends once a year usually - then it will be a fantastic opportunity for them to grab viewers (including this one)
I'm certain they will do this if it's not against the terms of their contract. Logically you would expect it to be one that the BBC are also covering and one of the dull to middling tracks - plenty of those to choose from!

Turns out I was right then. Sky Sports (including the F1 channel) is free this weekend.

I was wrong about it being a race that the Beeb are covering, but right about the track choice though!!

I have a standard freeview box, any way I can get it?

No, sky isn't avalaible on freeview I don't think. If you have a Sky or Virgin box you could get it though

[Ataxia]

If Sky run the F1 channel for free one weekend - and they do have free Sky Sports weekends once a year usually - then it will be a fantastic opportunity for them to grab viewers (including this one)
I'm certain they will do this if it's not against the terms of their contract. Logically you would expect it to be one that the BBC are also covering and one of the dull to middling tracks - plenty of those to choose from!

Turns out I was right then. Sky Sports (including the F1 channel) is free this weekend.

I was wrong about it being a race that the Beeb are covering, but right about the track choice though!!

I have a standard freeview box, any way I can get it?

Re-scan your box, see what it comes up with...

[dinizintheoven]

This is an interesting development and I will make sure to give it a go.

RTL are waiting in the wings if there are any problems, as ever... though with the Olympics about to take blanket coverage on all the BBC channels, more or less, I find myself wondering if I'll get any English commentary on the Hungarian Grand Prix.

[Barbazza]

I have a standard freeview box, any way I can get it?

Nope, I'm afraid not. The Sky Sports free weekend is on Sky and Virgin only.

[Bob]

I find myself wondering if I'll get any English commentary on the Hungarian Grand Prix.

I'm wondering the same, it was bad enough with Canada

[sswishbone]

yatta!!! HD F1 courtesy of some free weekend, absolutely brilliant, goodbye stream, hello perfect quality, for one race only!!

[Alianora La Canta]

I reckon we'll get coverage - on BBC2, squeezed in between various other shows on there (BBC 2 is showing all the key shows for BBC 1 and BBC 2, so won't get time to cover any of them properly). Radio 5 Live, I dare suggest, is a loss.

[mario]

I reckon we'll get coverage - on BBC2, squeezed in between various other shows on there (BBC 2 is showing all the key shows for BBC 1 and BBC 2, so won't get time to cover any of them properly). Radio 5 Live, I dare suggest, is a loss.

The current schedule for Radio 5 suggests that there will be live coverage of the 1st and 3rd practise sessions, qualifying and the race itself - only 2nd practise looks like it'll be sidelined because of the Olympics.

[CoopsII]

I reckon we'll get coverage - on BBC2, squeezed in between various other shows on there (BBC 2 is showing all the key shows for BBC 1 and BBC 2, so won't get time to cover any of them properly). Radio 5 Live, I dare suggest, is a loss.

I also dont do F1 on the radio, it doesnt work for me. Amusingly, last week there was golf on the radio. I mean, seriously, golf?

[SuperAguri]

As I tend not to stay in the same country for more then 3 months at a time and very little time in the UK, watching F1 live is nigh impossible and if I do it is in a funny language, plus Martins grid walk is one of the highlights. The scandinavian brothers tor and rent happily find the intro and race and outro for me to watch on the day after the race, via a encrypted means. Means spending the whole day or evening avoid websites, the tv or people in general so the race is still a surprise. The Sky coverage is very good but I am not sure I would spend that much money trying to watch it.

[Ataxia]

I'm sure you've heard, but Jake Humphrey is moving to BT to front their football coverage in 2013. http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/89088.html

Probably leaving Lee McKenzie to take up the reigns. dr-baker will be pleased.

[AndreaModa]

I'm sure you've heard, but Jake Humphrey is moving to BT to front their football coverage in 2013. http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/89088.html

Probably leaving Lee McKenzie to take up the reigns. dr-baker will be pleased.

That's interesting. I'd heard reports that Lineker was going to BT to front their coverage, but I'd have to assume he's staying put at the BBC for now then? I'd rather keep Gary than Humphrey in all honesty, he's the face of football for me, with Mottie being the voice!

I can't see Lee McKenzie going to anchor, she just doesn't have the personality or charisma that Jake does. I hope Matt Roberts doesn't move over from MotoGP because the relationship he's built up with the riders, especially the British ones would be a shame to loose.

[Ataxia]

I'm sure you've heard, but Jake Humphrey is moving to BT to front their football coverage in 2013. http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/89088.html

Probably leaving Lee McKenzie to take up the reigns. dr-baker will be pleased.

That's interesting. I'd heard reports that Lineker was going to BT to front their coverage, but I'd have to assume he's staying put at the BBC for now then? I'd rather keep Gary than Humphrey in all honesty, he's the face of football for me, with Mottie being the voice!

I can't see Lee McKenzie going to anchor, she just doesn't have the personality or charisma that Jake does. I hope Matt Roberts doesn't move over from MotoGP because the relationship he's built up with the riders, especially the British ones would be a shame to loose.

I wouldn't imagine Matt Roberts would move across to F1, he looks happy with the gig he's got already and he's definitely more suited to MotoGP anyway.

[pasta_maldonado]

I have a feeling BBC won't be showing F1 next year. This year's reduced coverage seems like it's a 'winding-down' operation

[dr-baker]

I'm sure you've heard, but Jake Humphrey is moving to BT to front their football coverage in 2013. http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/89088.html

Probably leaving Lee McKenzie to take up the reigns. dr-baker will be pleased.

I have preferred the BBC coverage over that of Sky this year (at least, that is who I tune into when given the choice). But Ms McKensie would be the icing on the cake (which I can't eat due to diabetes....).

[Paul Hayes]

It's a strange move for Humphrey, given it will be a massive step-down in profile - remember he gets to do not just F1, but the Olympics, various bits of football, state occasions, etc, at the BBC.

But apparently he has a baby due next year, and might not have wanted to be away from home for 20 weekends.

[Barbazza]

I'm sure you've heard, but Jake Humphrey is moving to BT to front their football coverage in 2013. http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/89088.html

Probably leaving Lee McKenzie to take up the reigns. dr-baker will be pleased.

The void where a personality should be that is Jake Humphrey won't be missed by me. No surprise that he waited until after his stint on the Olympics (where he was pretty awful as usual) to announce this.

I honestly think BT will bankrupt themselves by taking the football rights, and paying Jake some no doubt handsome wages (with further pundits to come no doubt including Robbie Savage as he's on every ****ing channel already) will make that more likely. BT's service is overpriced and their customer service is awful. It pains me to say this as they used to be a model of great customer service but they lost the plot about 10 years ago I'm afraid.

[Barbazza]

I have a feeling BBC won't be showing F1 next year. This year's reduced coverage seems like it's a 'winding-down' operation

If that means we get Ben Edwards back on the BTCC coverage instead of that shouting idiot who sounds like a cross between Alan Partridge and a Dalek, it will be worth it for that alone.

[dinizintheoven]

The biggest surprise here is that BT have their own channel for anything, not just football. When did this happen?

[Paul Hayes]

The biggest surprise here is that BT have their own channel for anything, not just football. When did this happen?

They don't yet, they'll launch a subscription channel when their rights package begins.

It's no odder - indeed, decidedly less odd - than a drinks company owning their own top F1 team.

[AndreaModa]

Hahaha bad day at work Barbazza? That AGS fail to qualify again?

[Ataxia]

If the BBC can't find a presenter, I'll volunteer myself...

[mario]

I have a feeling BBC won't be showing F1 next year. This year's reduced coverage seems like it's a 'winding-down' operation

I also harbour a slight suspicion that the BBC may be looking to cut their coverage in the not too distant future - I wouldn't be surprised if they cut back to just the 5 Live radio team, as that could be run on a relative shoestring compared to live TV coverage.

[Stramala]

If the BBC can't find a presenter, I'll volunteer myself...

Nah, a drunken Scotsman fronting the coverage would be funnier. And I don't mean DC

[eurobrun]

If the BBC can't find a presenter, I'll volunteer myself...

Nah, a drunken Scotsman fronting the coverage would be funnier. And I don't mean DC

All the love for a certain Frenchman would probably get tiresome after about 3 laps. (Which also just happens to be the average lengh of the aformentioned Frenchmans races this season.

[Paul Hayes]

I have a feeling BBC won't be showing F1 next year. This year's reduced coverage seems like it's a 'winding-down' operation

I also harbour a slight suspicion that the BBC may be looking to cut their coverage in the not too distant future - I wouldn't be surprised if they cut back to just the 5 Live radio team, as that could be run on a relative shoestring compared to live TV coverage.

If you're suggesting they run the same commentary on TV as on radio, I'd say that would be next-to impossible - hence the BBC never (to my knowledge) having done it for any other sport, ever.

[AndreaModa]

If the Beeb want to cut the F1 coverage back even more, then the best way to do that is rip out all the pre and post race shows. Strip it down to just showing the race, and all they'd need to pay for would be the salaries and expenses of two commentators, hopefully still Edwards and Coulthard. That's how it was always done prior to ITV starting the pre-race show stuff when they got the rights, so it can be done again. Go back to basics, do the most important bit well, rather than the whole lot mediocre and lacklustre. MotoGP does just fine on many occasions when they have little time in between other shows, and often we never even get the top 3 interviews and podium ceremony. The same can be done for F1 if they really wanted to.

[mario]

I have a feeling BBC won't be showing F1 next year. This year's reduced coverage seems like it's a 'winding-down' operation

I also harbour a slight suspicion that the BBC may be looking to cut their coverage in the not too distant future - I wouldn't be surprised if they cut back to just the 5 Live radio team, as that could be run on a relative shoestring compared to live TV coverage.

If you're suggesting they run the same commentary on TV as on radio, I'd say that would be next-to impossible - hence the BBC never (to my knowledge) having done it for any other sport, ever.

I was thinking that the BBC might be tempted to go from television and radio broadcasts down to just having a radio team in place (i.e. cutting the TV shows altogether), although the radio broadcasts would remain in a similar format to now.

[Paul Hayes]

I was thinking that the BBC might be tempted to go from television and radio broadcasts down to just having a radio team in place (i.e. cutting the TV shows altogether), although the radio broadcasts would remain in a similar format to now.

It's possible they might give up the TV rights, depending on the nature of their contract, but I think it's unlikely they would before the end of the current deal in 2018.

They're certainly not going to pay however much they're now paying to then not show it at all.

[Barbazza]

Hahaha bad day at work Barbazza? That AGS fail to qualify again?

Yeah, sorry, I did go a bit 'Raul Boesel at Montreal' there, didn't I?

You're not far off with your guess actually AndreaModa, more like several bad days at work...

[Stramala]

If the Beeb want to cut the F1 coverage back even more, then the best way to do that is rip out all the pre and post race shows. Strip it down to just showing the race, and all they'd need to pay for would be the salaries and expenses of two commentators, hopefully still Edwards and Coulthard. That's how it was always done prior to ITV starting the pre-race show stuff when they got the rights, so it can be done again. Go back to basics, do the most important bit well, rather than the whole lot mediocre and lacklustre. MotoGP does just fine on many occasions when they have little time in between other shows, and often we never even get the top 3 interviews and podium ceremony. The same can be done for F1 if they really wanted to.

This is exactly what Globo do in Brazil. It starts with the little FOM ident 5 minutes before the start of the race and ends at the podium ceremony. Seems to work for them. Although I really hope we don't end up with our own version of Luciano Burti replacing DC...

[dr-baker]

If the Beeb want to cut the F1 coverage back even more, then the best way to do that is rip out all the pre and post race shows. Strip it down to just showing the race, and all they'd need to pay for would be the salaries and expenses of two commentators, hopefully still Edwards and Coulthard. That's how it was always done prior to ITV starting the pre-race show stuff when they got the rights, so it can be done again. Go back to basics, do the most important bit well, rather than the whole lot mediocre and lacklustre. MotoGP does just fine on many occasions when they have little time in between other shows, and often we never even get the top 3 interviews and podium ceremony. The same can be done for F1 if they really wanted to.

This is exactly what Globo do in Brazil. It starts with the little FOM ident 5 minutes before the start of the race and ends at the podium ceremony. Seems to work for them. Although I really hope we don't end up with our own version of Luciano Burti replacing DC...

And it's all I generally watch anyway. The news reports, I find out from Autosport and here. The lifestyle/features don't interest me as much. So I just tune in for qualifying, the race, and the podium/press conference. Although if there's going to be more of Lee McKensie...