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[Jezbollah]

Nothing to do with the BBC's intelligence.

The government's first step in trying to destroy the BBC has been successful. Over the next few years they will cut it down to a point where it's marginalised so their sponsor has the market to himself.

And what about the Olympics?

 

[brotkasten]

I had hopes that without Top Gear, they could spend that money on F1 instead. It would've been such a better investment, too. Fuck.

 

[nature boy]

And what about the Olympics?

Priorities.

 

[Zeknurn]

I had hopes that without Top Gear, they could spend that money on F1 instead. It would've been such a better investment, too. Fuck.

One of the most popular shows in the world versus a dead motorsport. Yeah... Top Gear was far better value.

 

[Jezbollah]

Priorities.

Indeed.

So, I looked at the existing major sporting rights that the BBC holds. It is as follows:

Football:
Match Of The Day (highlights)
FA Cup (Live, until 2018)
FIFA World Cup (Live Shared with ITV)

Tennis
Wimbledon (Live, until 2017)
Australian Open (Live, Finals only, with one additional men’s semi finals)
Queens Club (Live)
Eastbourne (Live)
Davis Cup Tennis (Live, shared with Eurosport, until 2017)
ATP World Tour Finals (Live, shared with Sky Sports)

Rugby Union
Six Nations (Live, shared with ITV until 2021)
Autumn Internationals (England Highlights, Live for Scotland/Wales)

Rugby League
Challenge Cup (Live, semi finals and finals only)
Four Nations (Live)
Rugby League World Cup (Live)
Highlights show containing action from: Super League, Magic Weekend, Super 8s, Grand Final)

Olympics
Summer Olympics (Live)
Winter Olympics (Live)

Commonwealth Games (Live)

Athletics
European Athletics Championship (Live)
London Marathon (Live)
Great North Run (Live)
Diamond League (Live for British rounds and final two meetings, and selective live coverage)
IAAF World Athletics (Live, until 2017)

Golf
British Open (Live, until 2017)
US Masters (Live for Thursday and Friday, shared with Sky Sports)
BMW PGA Championship (highlights)
Scottish Open (highlights)
Women’s British Open

Snooker
World Snooker Championships
Masters
UK Championships
Welsh Open

Other Sports:
Alpine Skying World Cup (under Ski Sunday banner)
University Boat Race
Invictus Games
Badminton and Burghley Horse Trials (highlights)
NFL - Coverage of the International Series games from Wembley, and live coverage of the Super Bowl


I think the BBC's strategy is clear here - the demographic of those who watch these events are clearly a large percentage of the population who probably cant or wouldn't pay for Sky - I am thinking the age group of 30-70 in both sexes.

The fact that someone said that cutting F1 could cover Match Of The Day coverage until 2019 makes the decision a no-brainer IMO, as much of a shame that is.

 

[brotkasten]

One of the most popular shows in the world versus a dead motorsport. Yeah... Top Gear was far better value.

I don't know. I think I'd rather watch Hamilton win 19 races in a row than another attempt of Clarkson trying to be funny.

Spoiler

Look at me, internet dude hating on a popular show!

 

[Zeknurn]

I don't know. I think I'd rather watch Hamilton win 19 races in a row than another attempt of Clarkson trying to be funny.

Spoiler

Look at me, internet dude hating on a popular show!

Your wish is granted. Enjoy your 2016 season.

 

[Cheeseman Battitude]

Anyone know how solid F1 is on Sky? Might be time to get Sky for next season but if they're gonna ditch it as well I won't bother.

 

[dubc35]

Anyone know how solid F1 is on Sky? Might be time to get Sky for next season but if they're gonna ditch it as well I won't bother.

I'm not sure on pre/post-race coverage but their on track coverage isn't too bad. Crofty yells a lot but Brundle is as good as always IMO.

Ronbo on ALO's R&R during Brazil qualy:

"I chuckled to myself, to be honest," Dennis said when asked about the moment. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. There's nothing wrong with a bit of humour. And Fernando is as hard-working as he is talented, be in no doubt of that.

 

[DrM]

Haha, some nice pun exchange between RBR and Mercedes on Facebook

 

[Psychotext]

Anyone know how solid F1 is on Sky? Might be time to get Sky for next season but if they're gonna ditch it as well I won't bother.

I don't rate it as much as the BBC (especially pre and post race), but there's no way it's going anywhere any time soon. I think they're contracted until 2018.

 

[nature boy]

Anyone know how solid F1 is on Sky? Might be time to get Sky for next season but if they're gonna ditch it as well I won't bother.

Brundle and Kravitz is good, Crofty is annoying, Hill useless and Herbert likeable but pretty much says the obvious.

I think Brundle and Kravtiz give it a little edge over BBC, can't stand Eddie.

P.S.: Wonderboy's following is a cult. Fact.

 

[SictorVullivan]

Anyone know how solid F1 is on Sky? Might be time to get Sky for next season but if they're gonna ditch it as well I won't bother.

Brundle and Kravitz are the only reason I watch it really. Also Bruno Senna/Antony Davidson when he's on.

Herbert, Hill, Crofty and Lazenby are terrible however.

 

[RaySpencer]

Brundle and Kravitz are the only reason I watch it really. Also Bruno Senna/Antony Davidson when he's on.

Herbert, Hill, Crofty and Lazenby are terrible however.

Ayup!

I like DC too, that year of BBC with DC and Brundle was great.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

ITV commentary was good, but then they had Brundle back then :|

EDIT: Just been reminded of my favourite piece of commentary from that era. (not recommended for headphone users)

Dat Allen passion!

ITV's ending montage: https://vimeo.com/21369667

 

[Psychotext]

Dat Allen passion!

He'd be unbearable when it came to Hamilton. You'd barely be able to hear his words over the drooling and fapping.

 

[Tempy]

Formula-e practice red-flagged because Vergne's car stopped. Green-flagged but immediately red-flagged again because Vergne was still walking on the track instead of off-track....

edit: lol, he found a random bicycle. Where are the scooters?

 

[mrklaw]

I wasn't much of a fan of the sport prior to the BBC taking over from ITV in 2008-ish so I don't have much of an opinion right now. Is DC under contract at the BBC? I always enjoy him so perhaps he could go to ITV?

We had this with brindle when F1 went to sky originally. We lost one good commentator and got lucky with DC. Not sure what will happen with ITV. Quite enjoying the Suzy/DC combo on BBC

Seems a short sighted move that won't really save a huge amount of money but will lose them a lot of goodwill.

What's this about the player loophole? Is that people pretending they only ever watch live TV on I player which currently doesn't require a license fee? Why can't they close it more quickly?

 

[mrklaw]

Anyone know how solid F1 is on Sky? Might be time to get Sky for next season but if they're gonna ditch it as well I won't bother.

I'm not changing provider just for F1 but I might see how expensive sky sports is to add to Virgin media. Will see what ITV coverage is like first.


Edit: lol - £29 for sky sports including sky F1, plus £7 if I want them in HD. Sod that

 

[DrM]

Is Formula E race today or tomorrow?

 

[Aiii]

Today, 7PM GMT, pre-show at 6 on ITV4

 

[DrM]

Today, 7PM GMT, pre-show at 6 on ITV4

Thank you

 

[Cheeseman Battitude]

I'm not changing provider just for F1 but I might see how expensive sky sports is to add to Virgin media. Will see what ITV coverage is like first.


Edit: lol - £29 for sky sports including sky F1, plus £7 if I want them in HD. Sod that

I don't have Virgin, so I'd get Now TV for it. Wouldn't get a dish on the wall just for F1.

 

[Zeknurn]

D'Ambrosio on pole? Wow, I wish I could have watched qualifying.

 

[Zeknurn]

Villeneuve's car was damaged too much after his incident in qualifying which means he won't be taking part in the race.

 

[Aiii]

Remember when Jacques Villeneuve was good? That lasted like two whole seasons.

 

[brotkasten]

Remember when Jacques Villeneuve was good? That lasted like two whole seasons.

True world champion material. Right up there with Damon Hill and Jenson Button.

 

[DrM]

True world champion material. Right up there with Damon Hill and Jenson Button.

True that.

Also, Formula E streams from official site are working great.

 

[Zeknurn]

True that.

Also, Formula E streams from official site are working great.

Unless you're in a country where Eurosport has bought the rights and decided to not show the race anyway.

 

[Tempy]

Let's do this.

 

[DrM]

Unless you're in a country where Eurosport has bought the rights and decided to not show the race anyway.

Thankfully, I am not

Puncture for B. Senna

 

[Zeknurn]

Senna is the Maldonado of Formula E.

The first tyre change in Formula E history. Neat.

 

[DrM]

Senna is the Maldonado of Formula E.

The first tyre change in Formula E history. Neat.

We are watching history in making

 

[Kölsch Bloot]

What took me so long to discover this thread?

*subbed.gif*

 

[Zeknurn]

I wonder if they will introduce tyre changes when the car swap isn't necessary anymore.

 

[SCHUEY F1]

Remember when Jacques Villeneuve was good? That lasted like two whole seasons.

Thought JV was actually good the next two seasons after the championship. Just had shit cars.

 

[DrM]

That sound... like my calorifer heater

Buemi is on fire

 

[Zeknurn]

Buemi up to second place. Renault too strong.

 

[DrM]

I wonder which major manufacturer is also interested for Formula E

 

[Juicy Bob]

Buemi is going to cruise to this title, isn’t he?

 

[Zeknurn]

I wonder which major manufacturer is also interested for Formula E

I have a feeling that Audi will take over the ABT team.


As I said, Senna Maldonado.

 

[DrM]

I have a feeling that Audi will take over the ABT team.

I also thought about Audi. Or another German manufacturer... Maybe even Mercedes. Imagine that

 

[Aiii]

Shame that Frijns is stuck in such a slow car.

 

[Zeknurn]

I also thought about Audi. Or another German manufacturer... Maybe even Mercedes. Imagine that

I don't know if Mercedes has shown any interest but BMW is a prime candidate considering they already provide the safety car.


Dragon is the Williams of Formula E.

Great stuff from Di Grassi though.

 

[DrM]

I don't know if Mercedes has shown any interest but BMW is a prime candidate considering they already provide the safety car.

Well, Mercedes is expanding their interests, so Formula E could be another target for them. If not them, so BMW is the logical candidate.

First pit stops

 

[Aiii]

What a stop by Di Grassi.

 

[DrM]

Sam Bird stopped

 

[Zeknurn]

It's funny how the batteries have problems with the heat at every race this season.

 

[Aiii]

Buemi is going to cruise to this title, isn’t he?

Hard to cruise when your car is dead, so fingers crossed.

Spoiler

but yes

 

[DrM]

SC would spice this quite a bit