BBC vs Sky - The Story so Far

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Originally Posted by henners88

We did have a decade or so of the coverage being on ITV so we had adverts every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the race then. Obviously this was fazed out with the BBC and thankfully now we don't have to put up with adverts during the build up and post race either. How long before Sky sneak an advert in during the race? They don't tend to do it with football but F1 doesn't have a break after 45 minutes either. I think in the coming years when they feel they can get away with it, they will. At the start a lot of effort was put into tempting viewers across and this clearly hasn't worked as well as they'd hoped. Now they can relax and merge the channel in with other sports and advertising comes hand in hand with that.

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I can't see your problem with adverts on Sky - there aren't any during the race and I'm not aware of any plans to have them.

Besides which - given the options you have for viewing ie 6 in-cars and timing screens - even if they did put adverts in the main race coverage, and I'm pretty confident it won't happen, then just switch to an in-car for two minutes.

There's loads and loads of rubbish on BBC that I have absolutely no interest in but have to pay my licence fee, whereas a lot of people who like West-benders, Splank, and Dancing on Factor 10 or whatever it is probably resented having F1 clogging up their soaps and game shows for hours on Sunday. At least we now have a choice.

If I wasn't forced to by law I'd probably stop paying for the BBC and just stick to Sky for the sports

WT

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Originally Posted by steveaki13

This was always the worry with Sky getting F1.

They tried (and failed) to make us believe they wouldn't do this and wow after one year they have. Next season you will have ads in race and the year after have to pay extra on top of your sports package.

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There's no way Sky would be able to charge extra above the Sports package for F1 - just look at the viewing figures, they would be even lower as not that many people would take it up. Sky Sports is basically centred around Premiership Football. Everything else, cricket, golf etc is just filling in the time between the football matches.

F1 on Sky was pretty unplanned, I don't think they bid for it the last time the contract was up for tender it was just the BBC suddenly wanting to cut a big chunk of their expenditure.

I see that Jake Humphrey is going to get £750k pa for fronting BT's Football next season and that allows him to stay at home with his family rather than lots of time away - makes you wonder what the Beeb were paying him for F1....

WT

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Originally Posted by Wasted Talent

I can't see your problem with adverts on Sky - there aren't any during the race and I'm not aware of any plans to have them.

Besides which - given the options you have for viewing ie 6 in-cars and timing screens - even if they did put adverts in the main race coverage, and I'm pretty confident it won't happen, then just switch to an in-car for two minutes.

There's loads and loads of rubbish on BBC that I have absolutely no interest in but have to pay my licence fee, whereas a lot of people who like West-benders, Splank, and Dancing on Factor 10 or whatever it is probably resented having F1 clogging up their soaps and game shows for hours on Sunday. At least we now have a choice.

If I wasn't forced to by law I'd probably stop paying for the BBC and just stick to Sky for the sports

WT

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I didn't say they had adverts during the races now, I speculated about them coming in in future in relation to them going back on an earlier promise not to have the F1 channel as part of their sports package. The bottom line is if you are paying £30 or so a month for a channel, they really shouldn't be interrupted by adverts even if you could switch to an onboard camera for two minutes. That is unacceptable in the extreme, and for the sake of those of you who have bought Sky I hope it doesn't happen. I'm not bothered really just being polite. There is loads of crap on the BBC but I watch very little TV in any case, so what I do watch is being affected. I'm not really getting a return on my money and I'm considering not paying my license fee when I eventually move in to my new house as prosecution is almost impossible. I can't really agree on the 'at least we get a choice' line because I simply don't. My only choice is the BBC and its reduced coverage for half the season, with the alternative simply not being worth the price they charge. Its a no win situation for some of us.

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Originally Posted by henners88

I'm considering not paying my license fee when I eventually move in to my new house as prosecution is almost impossible.

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But Henners there are eyes and ears everywhere. :uhoh:

My brother will tell you they will knock on your door and threaten legal action, but if they can't prove you own a TV its a little difficult. After 21 years of trying he has still not gone to court, but I'm generally more honest than him :)

Jake wouldn't have been getting anywhere near £750k I wouldn't have thought.

The Beeb were paying Chris Moyles more but it depends when the contract was negotiated.

Rumours spreading on the web that Georgie Thompson is being dumped from Sky.

Did a decent job for the F1 Show but won't be missed on weekends unless you're desperate to slap the salami post-race.

She never seemed like she knew what she was talking about nor cared. Could be replaced by anyone.

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Originally Posted by wedge

Did a decent job for the F1 Show but won't be missed on weekends unless you're desperate to slap the salami post-race.

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Oh yer that reminds me. Erm how do you spell her name again. ;)

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Originally Posted by henners88

I didn't say they had adverts during the races now, I speculated about them coming in in future in relation to them going back on an earlier promise not to have the F1 channel as part of their sports package. The bottom line is if you are paying £30 or so a month for a channel, they really shouldn't be interrupted by adverts even if you could switch to an onboard camera for two minutes. That is unacceptable in the extreme, and for the sake of those of you who have bought Sky I hope it doesn't happen. I'm not bothered really just being polite. There is loads of crap on the BBC but I watch very little TV in any case, so what I do watch is being affected. I'm not really getting a return on my money and I'm considering not paying my license fee when I eventually move in to my new house as prosecution is almost impossible. I can't really agree on the 'at least we get a choice' line because I simply don't. My only choice is the BBC and its reduced coverage for half the season, with the alternative simply not being worth the price they charge. Its a no win situation for some of us.

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I'm not disagreeing completely with you henners, but just consider that Sky made F1 available to it's subscribers for "free". If you were already paying for Sports or HD then when they got the rights last year the extra F1 channel was added to your viewable programming but the subs stayed the same. They have gone up recently but that is just a reflection of them having to pay more for the Premier League because BT put in a competitive bid.

I'm not saying it's perfect, far from it, but now it is possible to watch a lot of F1 in addition to the pre-existing sports coverage for £10 week. It's a personal descision if that is worth it or not. It will be possible this year to buy a daily ticket for Sky Sports for £9.99 to watch online so you could watch all the races live without adverts mixing BBC and Sky online for £100.

I am getting worried that I sound like Sky's Marketing Director and that is far from the case, believe me

WT

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Originally Posted by wedge

Rumours spreading on the web that Georgie Thompson is being dumped from Sky.

Did a decent job for the F1 Show but won't be missed on weekends unless you're desperate to slap the salami post-race.

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I will miss those tight outfits
I'm not sure that she did anything wrong, I thought her work was decent
she seemed to make an excellent partnership with Davidson

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Originally Posted by truefan72

I will miss those tight outfits
I'm not sure that she did anything wrong, I thought her work was decent
she seemed to make an excellent partnership with Davidson

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I thought she did OK too.

Lets be honest I am sure she wasn't an F1 fan before she got the gig and so didnt know anything about it, but she did all she was asked to do, she asked decent questions to ex drivers and looked interested in the answers.

Oh and I am with you on the outfits to Truefan.

As long as she doesn't end up on the BBC F1 coverage this doesn't affect me one bit. The rumour is she is joining Jake over at BT for the premiership coverage. She seems to have a knowledge of football whereas F1 was something good to go on her CV.

Both of Sky's females are awful. Georgie always looks like she's just going through the motions of reading pre-prepared lines, and Natalie gives the impression of being more interested in shoes than tyres. They're both a county mile ahead of simpering dimwit Beverly Turner, but could both learn a lot from Lee McKenzie or even Louise Goodman, both of whom are proper motorsport journalists first and foremost.

Regarding adverts on Sky, I'd be amazed - not to mention disappointed - if they appeared during green flag running. That's simply not their MO, they don't do it with any of their other sports. They do currently drop a handful of ads into free practice, but you can still watch one of half a dozen other feeds on the red button so you don't need to miss anything.

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Originally Posted by Dave B

Regarding adverts on Sky, I'd be amazed - not to mention disappointed - if they appeared during green flag running. That's simply not their MO, they don't do it with any of their other sports. They do currently drop a handful of ads into free practice, but you can still watch one of half a dozen other feeds on the red button so you don't need to miss anything.

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I was only speculating on adverts because its something they promised not to do from the very start just like they promised the F1 channel would remain free as long as you took out a HD subscription. Sky don't show adverts in other sports during live coverage but in regards to football there is only 45 minutes of play before a couple of ad breaks at half time. With F1 in a continuous 2 hours and I don't think its out of the realms of possibility for them to sneak adverts in during Safety car periods or red flags. I'm not saying it would happen but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised. It doesn't affect me either way.

So what's the situation do we have a definitive answer. My brother in law who works for Sky says that F1 is part of the Sky Sports pack for new customers from this year. And for existing customers from next year.

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Originally Posted by Mark

So what's the situation do we have a definitive answer. My brother in law who works for Sky says that F1 is part of the Sky Sports pack for new customers from this year. And for existing customers from next year.

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So those who initially signed up for HD just to get the F1 will lose it from next year unless they opt for sports, or did I misunderstand that?

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Originally Posted by Mark

And for existing customers from next year.

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If it's right then that sucks, but I can't say it's unexpected.

I'm sure many fans will stump up the extra £21 a month for the sports pack just like many will also leave.

We don't have anything except hearsay as we don't have the official info from Sky.

I doubt that even the decision makers at Sky have definitive plans for 2014 yet, so I'd take that hearsay with a pinch of salt. I reckon it hinges on what the BBC do and the terms of the new Concorde agreement. If a FTA clause remains once the BBC's contract expires (or they get bored) then Sky may either keep the F1 channel free or subcontract some races out to other broadcasters for a healthy fee.

However if - as increasingly likely - Concorde no longer contains such a clause then I suspect Sky will fully incorporate their F1 coverage into their premium sports lineup. If the teams are getting an increased share of the TV money then the certain drop in UK viewing figures won't be an issue for them, especially if they're seeing an uplift in viewers in emerging markets. As consumers we'll either suck it and pay the money, or find (ahem) other ways of watching.

I find it hard to believe there won't be at least some F1 on FTA even just highlights.

If it were all on Sky Sports it would be difficult for me as I don't want to pay yet can I run an F1 forum without ever watching F1?!

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Originally Posted by Mark

I find it hard to believe there won't be at least some F1 on FTA even just highlights.

If it were all on Sky Sports it would be difficult for me as I don't want to pay yet can I run an F1 forum without ever watching F1?!

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If F1 disappears off FTA television I won't have any need for an F1 forum either. I won't be going to silly efforts to watch illegally and I certainly won't be paying silly amounts to Sky. They are about to build a race track within a few miles of my house so I'll find an alternative form of motorsport to watch. I think the sad truth is places like this will be dead if the F1 goes off TV completely.

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Originally Posted by henners88

I won't be going to silly efforts to watch illegally and I certainly won't be paying silly amounts to Sky.

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Silly efforts? Last year the visiting in-laws wanted to watch a Premiership match that wasn't even on Sky and it took, ooh, nearly 10 seconds to have it on the TV in reasonable picture quality and with English commentary, albeit with a heavy middle-eastern accent ;)

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Originally Posted by henners88

I won't be going to silly efforts to watch illegally and I certainly won't be paying silly amounts to Sky

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Is there no option in the UK of watching it on RTL? Their race coverage is pretty good, albeit littered with ads. Gives one the opportunity to do a bit of language learning as well. ;)

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Originally Posted by Dave B

Silly efforts? Last year the visiting in-laws wanted to watch a Premiership match that wasn't even on Sky and it took, ooh, nearly 10 seconds to have it on the TV in reasonable picture quality and with English commentary, albeit with a heavy middle-eastern accent ;)

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Well if it really is that easy then I may ask your advice then Dave :)
Having said that I've had access to Sky for the past year on my laptop and only used it maybe 3 times. I like to watch delayed rather than live if given the choice.

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Originally Posted by EuroTroll

Is there no option in the UK of watching it on RTL? Their race coverage is pretty good, albeit littered with ads. Gives one the opportunity to do a bit of language learning as well. ;)

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I know a couple of people who bought dishes from B&Q for around a 100 quid and receive RTL whilst listening to 5Live coverage. The other hurdle I have is my wife who doesn't like the thought of a satellite dish on the outside of our house. I'd rather use the internet if possible. :)

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Originally Posted by Mark

I find it hard to believe there won't be at least some F1 on FTA even just highlights.

If it were all on Sky Sports it would be difficult for me as I don't want to pay yet can I run an F1 forum without ever watching F1?!

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No one (in their right mind) would consider you making the right choice - based on financials - for you and your family. That we have such a forum is a benefit, and no-one will think any less of the administrator if he does not pay through the nose just for the benefit of watching F1 live.

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Originally Posted by SGWilko

No one (in their right mind) would consider you making the right choice - based on financials - for you and your family. That we have such a forum is a benefit, and no-one will think any less of the administrator if he does not pay through the nose just for the benefit of watching F1 live.

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He may not be interested in hosting a forum if it gets to that though that's the danger. I doubt I would want to monitor a forum and pay out money to host the site just so others can continue to talk about a sport I used to watch. Lets hope Sky are forced to drop the coverage through lack of interest in a few years and it can get back on TV properly. We all know Sky do a decent job, but its not a healthy option for keeping the sport popular for future generations. Fingers crossed they see sense and soon.

you missed out on the Virgin media package available here in the UK.I must add im on Virgin and it stinks at £22 to be able to watch F1 per month, over twice what it would cost on sky. I wont be subscribing as I have other sports to do on sundays so when i get home I will watch the hightlights on BBC.

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Originally Posted by Dave B

Both of Sky's females are awful. Georgie always looks like she's just going through the motions of reading pre-prepared lines, and Natalie gives the impression of being more interested in shoes than tyres. They're both a county mile ahead of simpering dimwit Beverly Turner, but could both learn a lot from Lee McKenzie or even Louise Goodman, both of whom are proper motorsport journalists first and foremost.

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Natalie did a rather good job for 5live but to on Sky she seems desperate at times to get her interviews aired.

Georgie is next to useless on raceday. Why on earth do you need a presenter for analysis? Saying that she presented A1GP but whethe she was any good I don't know.

Holly Samos was undoubtedly the best of the females.

you missed out on the Virgin media package available here in the UK. I must add im on Virgin and it stinks at £22 to be able to watch F1 per month, over twice what it would cost on sky. I wont be subscribing as I have other sports to do on sundays so when i get home I will watch the hightlights on BBC.

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Originally Posted by RS

The final test will be live on Sky: Sky Sports to show final Formula 1 test live in 3D - Grapevine - F1 - AUTOSPORT.com

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I watched some of the testing coverage today. Sky handled it like a practice session: Croft commentating with guests including Paul Hembrey, Adrian Sutil, and Johnny Herbert; Ted in the pitlane. It was quite informal in tone, and interspersed with driver interviews. Obviously the coverage wasn't up to FOM standards: there were no onboards, less trackside cameras and only the most basic timing, but overall it was a useful programme. It's on for the next three days at 2pm UK time if anybody's interested (and I suspect the viewing figures will reflect that very few are!).

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Originally Posted by Dave B

I watched some of the testing coverage today. Sky handled it like a practice session: Croft commentating with guests including Paul Hembrey, Adrian Sutil, and Johnny Herbert; Ted in the pitlane. It was quite informal in tone, and interspersed with driver interviews. Obviously the coverage wasn't up to FOM standards: there were no onboards, less trackside cameras and only the most basic timing, but overall it was a useful programme. It's on for the next three days at 2pm UK time if anybody's interested (and I suspect the viewing figures will reflect that very few are!).

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I watched some of it too, and listened to it whilst doing other things. The interviews were good, and relevant, as you say it was pretty much like a FP session but with extras. I agree that the viewing figures will be minimal but I doubt that will worry them too much, it is just part of Sky's in-depth coverage.

WT

I wanted to watch it but I had to work.

Will try and catch it on Saturday & Sunday

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Originally Posted by Dave B

I watched some of the testing coverage today. Sky handled it like a practice session: Croft commentating with guests including Paul Hembrey, Adrian Sutil, and Johnny Herbert; Ted in the pitlane. It was quite informal in tone, and interspersed with driver interviews. Obviously the coverage wasn't up to FOM standards: there were no onboards, less trackside cameras and only the most basic timing, but overall it was a useful programme. It's on for the next three days at 2pm UK time if anybody's interested (and I suspect the viewing figures will reflect that very few are!).

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Just watched it and must say I enjoyed it very much.
Finally Sky is making the extra effort that the little extra money every month deserves
Will watch the 3D tomorrow, should be fun :)

BBC 5live F1 preview - 77mins feat. Gary Anderson, Perry McCarthy, James Allen in depth McLaren tour.

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/...0228-2127a.mp3

(available for next 30 days)

In my country (the Netherlands) the wil not show the races on tv anymore if iam correct.....
so iam forced to watch it on BBC or somewhere else :(

Does any1 know how manny races BBC wil broadcast? OR other free to watch channels in Europe

The races are shown on pay TV in The Netherlands but if you don't want to pay then RTL Germany would be your best bet.
It's littered with commercials so you'll miss some 20 minutes of the race but it's free

BBC only cover 9 races live this year but you can always watch the highlights if BBC 2 is available there.

Yeah in the past i swapped during commercials between , RTL 7 (Dutch TV) a Belgian channel and RTL Germany.
But yeah now allot of channel are Pay tv nowadays.... its a shame.. Bernie asks to much money... old #$%!@.

My last option wil be downloading the full race but thats a day later, and u need to be carefull not to see the results online or tv :D