WTCC on terrestrial TV

[thompp]

WTCC is on terrestrial TV this week, in the wee hours - Monday and Tuesday night (ITV1 I think?) - check you program listings and set your recorders, ladies and gents.

[ATF]

WTCC is on terrestrial TV this week, in the wee hours - Monday and Tuesday night (ITV1 I think?) - check you program listings and set your recorders, ladies and gents.

Indeed it is, although it's on Channel 4...

Rd 1 (Brazil) - Tues 26th June - 4.45-5.15am
Rd 2 (Holland) - Wed 27th June - 3.50-4.20am
Rd 3 (Spain) - Tues 3rd July - 5.15-5.40am
Rd 4 (France) - Wed 4th July - 4.20-4.45am

[nicemms]

Thats mine set. It'll be the 1st time I've watched it so I'm hoping its good!

[BDunnell]

I have to say that the promotion of the WTCC in the UK really is hopeless. Of course this early morning coverage is better than nothing, but it's rather a shame that this is the best deal those responsible can manage for an FIA World Championship. Viewing figures on Eurosport must be minimal, and their unprofessional presentation doesn't do much for me — a recent trailer during which Andy Priaulx's name was mispronounced horribly (as something like 'Pree-ox' or 'Pree-owkx', I forget exactly what) didn't improve my view...

[inimitablestoo]

This may be a conspiracy theory, but I'm sure I read about Alan Gow persuading ITV to buy the terrestrial rights to the WTCC last year - and then not show it (bar the British round) so as not to interfere with the BTCC. Don't know how true that is...

It's the second time round for the WTCC on Channel 4; they had similar highlights in 2005, and also had to start late, although they were only two meetings behind when they sorted out the '05 deal - just in time for the Silverstone rounds. On that occasion they took a straight highlights package from Eurosport, which I imagine is what they've done this time too.

[Mark]

Well it's good that it's being shown. Although with the available digital channels there's really not much excuse for anything not being shown.

All ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 show is tired repeats anyway.

[SEATFreak]

Thats mine set. It'll be the 1st time I've watched it so I'm hoping its good!

It is! The WTCC is GREAT stuff! And I hope you enjoyed Curitiba last night. I set the VCR so I will see it this morning.

I saw the Silverstone rounds last year when it was on ITV1 and I am always seeing WTCC stuff on YouTube. Like when Thommo scythed through the field in Race 2 at Valencia on his way to his second win having won Race 1.

It's the second time round for the WTCC on Channel 4; they had similar highlights in 2005, and also had to start late, although they were only two meetings behind when they sorted out the '05 deal - just in time for the Silverstone rounds.

What was the series like that time?

[inimitablestoo]

What was the series like that time?

Pretty good. There were a few more works entries then (well, the Alfas) but Seat were just getting up to competitiveness and Chevrolet were nowhere near. It was good to watch, though, at a time when the BTCC was struggling for entries (early in '05 anyway). I shall be watching last night's coverage a bit later this afternoon, so it'll be interesting to see what's changed.

[SEATFreak]

Well, that was a total waste of time! I knew I should not have got my hopes up! For some reason their is something I don't do that means the VCR does not record when I set the timer on it.

Still, Zandvoort is on tonight and I think I may have cracked it. I think it is all to do with what I input in to the timer screen. If you set it timer for something that is on BBC1 but you don't have the right date then it won't record.

To ensure I deffo do get it taped I shall use the timer function on my VCR in my TV-VCR combi in my study aswell.

[inimitablestoo]

Hmm... I must admit to just putting the times in last night and not noticing it was only a half-hour programme, rather than the full hour we got back in 2005. Never mind, what was there was good, although the lack of a co-commentator is something I always find problematic. It's just nice to hear somebody else's voice every now and then.

One other oddity was Martin Haven giving a translation of the drivers' foreign language interviews. Fair enough, it's essentially a worldwide feed so they take what they're given, and at least it's better than when the World Motocross presenter does the same thing (translating idiomatic mistakes as well so that it comes across as something like "My bike very good is, it allow me to fight very much for title championship purple monkey dishwasher").

Oh yes, and that theme tune. Worst motorsport theme tune since Formula Woman (note to somebody: don't use anything with words)

Otherwise, some good coverage, although the races weren't brilliant beyond the first corner. Still, from what I've read in the Autosport race reports, the later races should be worth watching.