BBC possibly to drop F1 coverage...

Skeeter · 10 Feb 2012 at 14:20

Well, we are all entitled to our own opinions on it.

But I know one thing for sure, if F1 got itself into a mess and needed someone to come in and 'sort it out', Bernie would be at the top of my list.

The guy may not be favourable with a lot of people, and many may think that he is somehow sabotaging the sport, but he is a guy who gets what he wants, and gets it done.

finite · 11 Feb 2012 at 17:03

Just looked at the schedule it still hasn't sunk in that I won't be able to tune into the watch the first race when I've been following F1 for nearly 20 years.

CaptainRAVE · 11 Feb 2012 at 17:10

finite said:
Just looked at the schedule it still hasn't sunk in that I won't be able to tune into the watch the first race when I've been following F1 for nearly 20 years.

Same here.

Skeeter · 11 Feb 2012 at 18:09

Was the first race shown live 20 years ago?

Glaucus · 11 Feb 2012 at 18:09

Going to need some redbull for the first two races. Working both st nights, I might not even be back for strait of first race. 3rdrace i'll miss totall, will have to be recorded somehow.

Skeeter · 11 Feb 2012 at 18:14

I've actually booked Friday the 16th off work so that I can stay up all Thursday night and watch both practice sessions...

Duke · 11 Feb 2012 at 18:23

Will be watching the re-run on Sunday as we're hooning around Bedford Circuit the day before, so won't be home.

sunama · 11 Feb 2012 at 19:30

Skeeter said:
I've actually booked Friday the 16th off work so that I can stay up all Thursday night and watch both practice sessions...

Hardcore!

I'm not sure when the first live F1 race was televised, but 20 years ago, F1 races were being shown live on TV...I know, because I was watching (huge Mansell fan).

Glaucus · 11 Feb 2012 at 21:41

2012 promo video

That's 1/4 of the field are world champions. God I hope the teams are really close to each other. I doubt it, but it would be nice.

Bradmax57 · 11 Feb 2012 at 21:53

sunama said:
Hardcore!

I'm not sure when the first live F1 race was televised, but 20 years ago, F1 races were being shown live on TV...I know, because I was watching (huge Mansell fan).

Snap!

Skeeter · 11 Feb 2012 at 22:54

Being a young'un I'm of a generation that has grown up always able to watch F1 on TV live. I expect its TV coverage had a major role in me becoming a fan. I totally get why people might be a bit peeved by the move to Sky.

However, I'm not one to hold pointless grudges against corporations, and growing up in a house with Sky has shown me that the vast amount of other motorsport available across he Sky channels is worth the price. I just hope the season doesn't get overshadowed by bitter people making a big thing about mud slinging at Sky. The comments that have appeared under a number of YouTube clips of Sky F1 stuff don't fill me with confidence though...

Oxide™ · 12 Feb 2012 at 12:56

so just to confirm - if I want all the live coverage of the f1 this year then I definitely need to upgrade to sky sports?

Flibster · 12 Feb 2012 at 13:25

Oxide™ said:
so just to confirm - if I want all the live coverage of the f1 this year then I definitely need to upgrade to sky sports?

You need either the sky sports package out the sky hd package. F1 channel will be included with either.

Although if you have sky sports on freeview or virgin, I don't know what you'll have to have.

Oxide™ · 12 Feb 2012 at 13:48

Flibster said:
You need either the sky sports package out the sky hd package. F1 channel will be included with either.

Although if you have sky sports on freeview or virgin, I don't know what you'll have to have.

I have sky hd but not sky sports - does this mean I am ok for all the live sky f1 coverage then? if so then double woot

MissChief · 12 Feb 2012 at 13:50

If you have HD then yes, you will get the F1 channel at no extra cost.

Skeeter · 12 Feb 2012 at 15:38

As I understand it:

Sky Sports F1 (standard def) is included in the Sky Sports package on Sky TV, and also in the Sky Sports package available to Virgin Media customers.

Sky Sports F1 HD is included with the Sky HD pack on Sky TV.

timbob · 12 Feb 2012 at 18:19

I've been looking at Sky the last few days. I think the realisation that I won't be able to watch those early morning practice sessions in Melbourne, or get up to watch the first early Grand Prix every year since 1996 when they went to Australia is finally hitting home...!

Anyway, looking at Sky's website, it looks like the cheapest basic deal I can get is their boggo Entertainment package at £20.25 a month, and add the HD option for an extra £10 per month. I'd go for the free lower capacity Sky+HD box and no extras. I can't find any extra hidden costs in the T&Cs - no "you must have our phone system and pay £12 a month line rental" condition or anything like that...

So, to those in the know, is that £30.25 per month the absolute and full amount I'd have to pay? If it is, I might just take the plunge...

Duke · 12 Feb 2012 at 18:47

Yep think that is right. Don't forget to get some back via Quidco.

Skeeter · 12 Feb 2012 at 19:01

Yes. That is correct. £20 for the Entertainment pack and £10.25 for the HD pack with the free Sky+HD box. You need a phone line, but not a Sky one.

However, have a look at the Entertainment Extra pack. The extra £5 gets you a lot, especially if you then combine it with the HD pack. Eurosport HD, Discovery HD, etc.

I've just added Sky TV (Entertainment Extra and HD Pack) to my existing Sky phone line and Unlimited Broadband at a total of £55 a month, with £50 cashback through Quidco. You can get more than double that cashback as a new customer.

Kevin Clark · 12 Feb 2012 at 21:12

I've caved in.

I've already got the basic sky+entertainment extra pack so I'm going to get the sports as well (not bothered in HD so I might as well get other sports as well for the money). I'll sign up on March 1st.