BTCC TV Coverage 2011

[tommy2k8]

Does anyone know whether Steve Rider will be back as the presenter for this year's BTCC? If not, who will be the presnter(s)?

[ATF]

It may well be Steve Rider again - I can't see a better alternative really. Not sure whether Louise Goodman still has a contract with ITV but she could be back. It'll all be announced at the media day - as long as Ben Edwards is still doing the commentary, I don't mind.

[Mp3 Astra]

Steve Rider left ITV last year but he did say he felt he had a 'personal responsibility (http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=1947&month=0&year=2011&form=search&searchterm=steve%20rider)' towards the BTCC, so I imagine we'll see him again this year.

I read elsewhere some time ago that Ben Edwards is still in contract with ITV. I don't have a source but I'm pretty sure that's the case.

[DazzlaF1]

Steve Rider left ITV last year but he did say he felt he had a 'personal responsibility (http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=1947&month=0&year=2011&form=search&searchterm=steve%20rider)' towards the BTCC, so I imagine we'll see him again this year.

I read elsewhere some time ago that Ben Edwards is still in contract with ITV. I don't have a source but I'm pretty sure that's the case.

Im sure it still is the case, Edwards and Harvey are a great commentary pairing, it would be daft for ITV to try and break that up.

As for Rider, If he has left ITV, then it would be a huge suprise if he's doing the BTCC again, so i expect Louise Goodman to be fronting it again

[Delenn]

As for Rider, If he has left ITV, then it would be a huge suprise if he's doing the BTCC again, so i expect Louise Goodman to be fronting it again
Steve Rider left ITV early in 2010 when it was announced Chiles was the main front man for the world cup. He did the rest of the BTCC, as was planned before the season started, as a separately negotiated deal. There is every chance he will be back in 2011.

[Dave B]

Was the HD coverage any good? I had to record the programme, and thanks to the stupid decision to lump a whole 6 hour block into one EPG entry I went for the SD version to save disc space. It was certainly a better picture even on vanilla ITV4, with the added bonus that the signal breakup meant we were spared the wannabe Top of the Pops camerawork from Louise's gridwalk for much of the show.

[tommy2k8]

I don't know - I haven't got HD!

However, do ITV4 get a outside company to supply the graphics and the pictures now? - even though there were some picture glitches (like in F1 sometimes) the all-round coverage was much slicker - and I was very impressed with 45 mins of build-up to the first race!

[Allyc85]

It looked fantastic to me in HD, though my Sky box :D

[tintin]

I don't know - I haven't got HD!

However, do ITV4 get a outside company to supply the graphics and the pictures now? - even though there were some picture glitches (like in F1 sometimes) the all-round coverage was much slicker - and I was very impressed with 45 mins of build-up to the first race!

The coverage is done by ITV Sport and has been for the last decade.

[tommy2k8]

Do you agree it's improved from last season?

[MrJan]

I was very impressed with 45 mins of build-up to the first race!

Really? I was bored, especially as I knew that there was probably racing on track. From the scan of Twitter (didn't actually look as I didn't want to see any results) I caught glimpse of a tweet mentioning a crash in the Ginettas. Would far rather that they'd used the time to show one of the other races from Saturday.

[Dave B]

If ITV can show qualifying online, maybe it would be possible to stream live track action for those interested while still broadcasting a preview show for the more general fans. Or perhaps, being the first race of the new season, they felt it was justified to devote more time than usual to introducing the drivers and explaining the rule changes.

[Mark]

Was the HD coverage any good? I had to record the programme, and thanks to the stupid decision to lump a whole 6 hour block into one EPG entry I went for the SD version to save disc space. It was certainly a better picture even on vanilla ITV4, with the added bonus that the signal breakup meant we were spared the wannabe Top of the Pops camerawork from Louise's gridwalk for much of the show.

I'd probably record the BTCC races themselves and watch back later, but I can't be arsed sifting through the crap looking for it, so I don't bother.. Shame.

[tommy2k8]

They did show the Ginettas later!

[MrJan]

They did show the Ginettas later!

Which is fine, but they could have used the time to show one of the Saturday races instead of what was, in my opinion, a rather formulaic and uninformative intro show.

Might not have helped that I was hungover to s**t but I just found it all a bit tedious.

[tommy2k8]

F1 coverage gets a build-up, but maybe, as previously said here, ITV were just introducing this year's changes.

[tommy2k8]

Just to let you know, the first show must have been a season preview as for the rest of the season it starts at 11.30am (source: btcc.net)

[tintin]

Just to let you know, the first show must have been a season preview as for the rest of the season it starts at 11.30am (source: btcc.net)

The Donington show starts at 11am, according to the TV guide at itv.com

[Alfa Fan]

Just as well given pit lane opens for the first BTCC race at 11.25

[tommy2k8]

I wonder why btcc.com said 11.30?!

Yes, considering the first race stars at 11.35am, it would be a bit tight to start the show at 11.30!

A day of motorsport then Sunday, with F1 as well!

[Bezza]

Can only fast forward ITV I'm afraid. Adverts every 10-15 minutes make live viewing incredibly tedious