Last Live race on the BBC? (even last one full stop)

[henners88]

The BBC have a contract with F1 - they would have to buy their way out of that contract (remember with their previous one it was they who did the deal with Sky to do half and half, who took it to Bernie, who agreed) It is possible they could go highlights only, but that would still need a renegotiation.

I think the BBC dropping F1 - infact ALL sport - is probably inevitable, but it wont be for 2016.

I have my reservations about the BBC being the ones who came up with the idea of approaching Sky. It has been a pattern across Europe where satellite channels have been picking up the rights and in some case all of the rights. I think the BBC tried to get out of their contract completely back in 2012 and Bernie gave the option of splitting he coverage. There were too many coincidences with what is happening with other countries around the same time.

The sad thing is this approach has ruined the following in countries like Italy, France and Portugal. Britain is down terms of viewers yet it's all being largely ignored because the money is there. It could still be a possibility that Sky do not renew their current contract and it makes you wonder where it will be offered. BT Sport is an obvious choice I think, but they need at least highlights on a FTA channel if F1 wishes to remain relevant in many of these economies.

[Rollo]

I have my reservations about the BBC being the ones who came up with the idea of approaching Sky.

I agree with this.
The more likely story is that the Mad Bad Uncle approached the Troll and got the Troll to put up the price; to the point where Aunty couldn't afford it. Money talks, or in this case, screams.

[Mark]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mot...xt-season.html

Looks like ITV has got it but I would be surprised if they had any live races.

[Bezza]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mot...xt-season.html

Looks like ITV has got it but I would be surprised if they had any live races.

If ITV get it again then Sky will be getting my money again. I had cancelled it earlier this year due to the predictable season to save some money. But I simply can't put up with F1 being structured around advert breaks again. The BBC are absolutely bonkers. They will have nothing left worthy of watching at this rate, apart from their bizarre infatuation with Wimbledon.

[inimitablestoo]

I'm sure I'd read elsewhere that ITV were looking to continue with the BBC's contract of half live/half highlights only. Not too bothered about ads, it would mean I get more room for, ahem, comfort breaks. Also it's unlikely we'd get Ted "Lenny" Kravitz inflicted upon us again, unless ITV were to take highlights only and simply take the Sky feed...

[acescribe]

Daily Mail are reporting that F1 has "gone to ITV" too, but no word from the BBC yet and it would appear the specialist press is waiting for that. Let us not lose sight of the fact that ITV gave up the rights to F1 ahead of the end of their previous contract because they couldn't justify the cost. This was in 2008! My bet is that it will be largely a highlights deal that ITV will show...

[henners88]

Well sadly it has happened. My viewership will be even less than it already was. Sad times.

BBC to end Formula 1 television contract early
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35149963

[Mark]

Indeed but it's Channel 4 who will take up the contract not ITV.

[henners88]

Apparently the races will be uninterrupted by ads but the pre and post race will be like Sky where ads are regular.

We all saw this coming though and the BBC are getting worse in all departments. I can't see the license fee being around much longer as we are gradually getting less for our money. It's getting difficult to justify.

[BDunnell]

If any of you UK viewers voted Conservative either in 2010 or this year, you might like to consider that you're partly to blame. It's purely because the BBC is under ideological pressure to cut costs that moves like this are being made. That pressure comes from a government led by a man who socialises not with senior BBC figures, but senior News Corp ones. It hardly takes a rocket scientist to see the link.