BBC Coverage

I agree with the view that it's likely to be a negotiating ploy with Bernie, but they need to be very careful it doesn't backfire on them. ITV are starting to make profit again and have a bouquet of HD channels which could accomodate F1; Sky would snap up the rights in a heartbeat if Ecclescake relaxes the restrictions on subscription broadcasts.

The Beeb are being squeezed left right and centre at the moment: David Cameron called the prospect of cuts "delicious" (source) while new Trust chairman (and former Tory party chairman, no less) Chris Patten has predicted that "there will be all hell let loose" (source) when the public realise the scale of the cuts to programmes.

F1 is perceived - rightly or wrongly - as a rich sport, the BBC may feel politically pressured to distance themselves from that perception. :(

They have it till 2014 at least, so few years left yet before I get seriously worried.

They can ditch Wimbledon, tennis is dull and it is only a two-week spell in July anyway.

Hopefully they will realize the worth of F1. The only sports I watch on TV (having got rid of Sky Sports) are F1 and Match of the Day on BBC with the odd live football game they may have too.

I don't watch ITV at all.

Don't get rid of my F1, BBC! Hopefully Bernie can realize the upturn in interest of F1 recently in the UK is quite closely related to the excellent contribution of the BBC and the guys who make it what it is. To lose that would be like a dagger through the heart.

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Originally Posted by Dave B

The Beeb are being squeezed left right and centre at the moment: David Cameron called the prospect of cuts "delicious" (source) while new Trust chairman (and former Tory party chairman, no less) Chris Patten has predicted that "there will be all hell let loose" (source) when the public realise the scale of the cuts to programmes.

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Patten, let's not forget, is a man who says he 'doesn't watch much television', and who was firmly booted out by his electorate in Bath in 1992, so can claim little legitimacy other than that which has been conferred upon him.

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Originally Posted by Bezza

They have it till 2014 at least, so few years left yet before I get seriously worried.

They can ditch Wimbledon, tennis is dull and it is only a two-week spell in July anyway.

Hopefully they will realize the worth of F1. The only sports I watch on TV (having got rid of Sky Sports) are F1 and Match of the Day on BBC with the odd live football game they may have too.

I don't watch ITV at all.

Don't get rid of my F1, BBC! Hopefully Bernie can realize the upturn in interest of F1 recently in the UK is quite closely related to the excellent contribution of the BBC and the guys who make it what it is. To lose that would be like a dagger through the heart.

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I'm not the biggest fan of Wimbledon/tennis - but I can't imagine the Beeb dropping it. It pulls in a huge audience, plus there is all the tradition that goes with it. If it come down to a choice, then the tennis will win.
To be honest though, the Beeb's sports coverage in the main, has lost a lot in the last 10 years - concentrating far too much on football - and forgetting that they are a public service provider. They should be covering more minority/niche sports than the populist ones.

What did people think of BBC's new post Legard commentary team.

I thought DC did well and after a slightly wooden start I thought Martin Brundle slotted into his new role well.

He seems to struggle with the introduction bit when having to explain the rules and how F1 works for new audience, but once the proper action started he seemed more at home.

Yeah Brundle sounded awkward with the intro bit, but once into the commentary he was his usual professional self.

I thought Brundle sounded class apart from the shakey start and DC was just as good.


Positive vibes for the future :)

Hopefully will give us a more detailed and insightful commentary on the races, rather than ramble.

One thing I hope we still hear is info about the order front to back. Sometimes commentators can over concentrate on the front (understandable of course as it is most important, but the occasional run through the order 1-24 is good too).

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Originally Posted by aki13

Hopefully will give us a more detailed and insightful commentary on the races, rather than ramble.

One thing I hope we still hear is info about the order front to back. Sometimes commentators can over concentrate on the front (understandable of course as it is most important, but the occasional run through the order 1-24 is good too).

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why would they when there is pretty much a permanent graphic displaying the order throughout the race?

A very good start for MB & DC. I may even be tempted to stick with them for the race rather than 5Live.