F1 heading to Sky?

[Jag_Warrior]

I'd be careful about assuming that an owner making more money from a product translates to a higher quality product. If costs are cut harder/faster than one loses revenue, more profit could be garnered from lower revenue. But like Tony George (IRL), Andy Evans (IMSA) and Kevin Kalkhoven (CCWS), I'm leery of a guy, who I don't think knows much about racing, coming in as owner of the biggest racing series in the world.

Other than Fox Business News and Speed Channel, I can't say that I know all that much about Murdoch's other media assets. But I have read that Speed Channel now turns a profit, whereas Speedvision did not. But IMO, the new Speed Channel is a much lower quality channel than Speedvision was - other than F1, GP2 and an occasional Grand Am race, I no longer watch it. And Fox Business News (compared to the gold standard: Bloomberg News) is a rolling joke... but I bet it makes a tidy profit. Murdoch has something of a reputation here for going for the sizzle & flash over substance. He's not really a "substance kinda guy", or so it seems. Maybe others have a different impression of him though.

Maybe Ruppie would be OK for F1. But he strikes me as the sort of guy who would stick the likes of Danica Patrick in a car just to generate higher ratings and ad revenue. But... ol' Bernie isn't going to live forever. And I guess I'd rather see the Faux News guy running the show rather than Tamara & Petra.

[Sleeper]

Murdoch buying out the comercial rights to F1 will be a disaster, he will push it towards pay-per-view TV just to make a bit more money. I already subscribe to Sky but I cant afford the extra cost to get the sports package as well and I really dont want the adverts back.

It should be mentioned, though, that story is being broken by News Corp itself, and that Murdoch is a mate of Bernies. James Allen is already speculating that its another move by Bernie against the teams before the proper negotiations on anew Concord Agreement begin, what the specific end result would be I havnt a clue though.

If this does turn out to be real though, I have one thing to say, Murdoch can **** Off!

[gloomyDAY]

This thread cracks me up! Most of the posters here vilify Bernie Ecclestone, but when Murdoch lurks around the corner, everyone sees the FoXXX News mogul as the boogie man. Fact of the matter is that Bernie is a necessary evil in Formula 1. I hope that F1 doesn't go to pay-per-view because ratings and revenue will drop.

[Sleeper]

Bernie is not a necessary evil, he's about 10 years past his sell-by-date, but I'd rather have him running the sport than Murdoch's goons by a very long way.

[Malbec]

However, Bernie does not own the tv channels. He sells a product to them and they decide whether to buy or not.

In Murdoch's case, if this happens (and it's a big if at the moment) he owns the sport and the one tv company. No other broadcaster will get a look in.

Were Murdoch to own F1 then we and the sport are ****ed.

Would Murdoch be allowed to own F1 and have exclusive rights for TV coverage? I suspect this might infringe some EU competition laws though I don't know for sure.

F1 is really quite a specialised sport. Bernie has had money flowing into it by ensuring that the races are aired as widely as possible whilst getting the greatest possible profit to himself. He's always understood that the sport's value to both sponsors and car makers comes from getting as many people across the world to watch it and thats usually done through a free-to-view channel.

Murdoch on the other hand hasn't got to grips with the concept of the internet yet with his messed up takeover of MySpace and his paywall around the Times and Sunday Times. How is he or his organisation going to deal with the intricacies of F1? Will he be willing to stand on the sidelines like CVC has done or will he not be able to resist the temptation to get involved himself?

Purely from a selfish point of view of course I wouldn't want him to buy F1 because I resent the idea of having to pay to watch a race on TV.

[wedge]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...e_broadcasters

Quite shocking the amount of subscription channels show F1 across the world.

Completely forgot about Star Sports (Murdoch) holds a monopoly across Asia.

Free-to-air in Finland only shows highlights on normal TV!

[Retro Formula 1]

With whom do you have ethical dilemmas if not Rupert Murdoch, then?

Hmmmm. Why should I have an ethical dilemma over some businessman? Should I jump on this Murdoch bandwagon the same way as people jump on the Bernie Bus?

I'm not saying that Murdoch isn't a brilliant, ruthless businessman that has cracked a few eggs on the way to preparing his Omelettes’. He also seems to be a gifted Politician, capable of playing both sides of the game simultaneously and with aplomb.

It is questionable (ethically so???) how he uses his media empire to foster and harness agreement for his political leaning but as a slightly more rounded individual, capable of rational thought, I am capable of making my own mind up about issues. I also think that to single out one person, no matter how powerful, is hypocritical when you look at the media circus that has perpetuated in the Western world. We are obsessed with Celebrity and Stardom while the "Real World" is almost a side show. However, looking at some of the theatre that is media and the questionable tactics used in the gathering of modern Gossip, you have to conclude that the public doesn't have a leg to stand on if they choose to bite the hand that feeds and satisfies their desires for more extravagant titillation. Still, it was quite smugly satisfying to see Tommy Sheridan getting caught out, even for a Mediaphobe like myself

So, all in all, I don't have an Ethical dilemma as it isn't something that disturbs me. I think the ethical argument is something that is influenced and perpetuated by the masses and as such, I guess I am in a minority. I also see this current bid as a blind. A wrangling and positioning game; posturing and performing which will soon blow over with a watered down solution regarding media rights and direction.

It just doesn't bother me. Sorry.

[MrJan]

Hmmmm. Why should I have an ethical dilemma over some businessman? Should I jump on this Murdoch bandwagon the same way as people jump on the Bernie Bus?

I'm not saying that Murdoch isn't a brilliant, ruthless businessman that has cracked a few eggs on the way to preparing his Omelettes’. He also seems to be a gifted Politician, capable of playing both sides of the game simultaneously and with aplomb.

It's not quite as simple as 'cracked a few eggs' with Murdoch, he's real slime.

[inimitablestoo]

I don't like omelettes anyway

[BDunnell]

Well guess what, for it to make money then it would have to appeal to the public (i.e. the fans - us), and that's something the news corp do well.

Does it? Does much of Sky TV's output really 'appeal to the public'? The viewing figures for a lot of its English football are pathetic in the UK.