F1 returns to BBC

Emlyn_Dewar said:
Would the BBC show the practise sessions on their website?
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I think the drive to show things like the practice sessions and race build up is as much from F1 itself as it is from the broadcaster, so I expect the BBC will continue to do it. It the BBC drop any of the features ITV have (practice on website, live qualifying, live and rerun race, race build up, build up feature items, etc) then they will get slaughtered

thinking about it, minus the adverts, ITV coverage isnt that bad really....
 
Steedie said:
:/

We're expected not to troll your shoddy old car threads, so stay out of this one :p
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I don't care if you do ;)

But seriously...Watching live practice?

That's one step away from standing on a railway platform in your mac and NHS specs, jotting down numbers in your little dogeared book using chewed biro.

*n
 
In what way? You're still seeing hot laps, hearing the engines or watching cars run off the track.
I'd say it's similar to looking at pictures of modified cars or whatever.

Edit: Also, the practise highlights are a nice thing to have should you miss the live showing. (Better than whats on TV most of the time :D)
 
penski said:
I don't care if you do ;)

But seriously...Watching live practice?

That's one step away from standing on a railway platform in your mac and NHS specs, jotting down numbers in your little dogeared book using chewed biro.

*n
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Hahaha :D

I see where you're coming from, as I refuse to watch International friendlies in football as I find them a bit of a joke and a total bore fest, and it's not competitive at all really, but again, if you really love your football and can't get enough then nothing wrong with watching them. Same as if you really enjoy racing then why not watch it?

Main reason I watch it, it because it gives an early indication about how the weekend ahead will pan out and who's going to be in the points on race day.
 
F1 in HD would be awesome. Watched some of the Indy 500 on Sky in HD, and it looked fantastic. Surely the British GP would be able to guarantee HD coverage, if not the rest of the calendar?
 
I think this is absolutely fantastic news :D

I really think the BBC will do a great job, but much much more importantly it looks like they will keep the classic BBC Grand Prix theme tune - absolutely love this theme and it was a dire day when it was lost :(

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7306123.stm

Seems like they will be streaming not only the practice coverage on the website, but quali and live race as well - brilliant!

HD and no adverts would just be the icing on the cake for me. ;)
 
It's all shot HD, so I don't see a reason why the BBC wouldn't want it transmitted that way.
The only reason that ITV didn't show HD coverage was because it doesnt have a specific channel setup for it.
 
VBDub said:
It's all shot HD
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No its not.

Channels like SpeedHD and Fuji TV claiming HD F1 are just showing upscaled SD. The world FOM source feed is not HD, they dont even have all the HD equipment yet. They have yet to develop a HD onboard camera small enough which can work with the gigawave transmitting system they use.

Even the "HD" F1 shown last year at the cinemas for the British gp was just upscaled.

The only race last year where the source feed was HD was the Fuji GP, which was 1080i but then the onboards when seen on a HD TV where seen with a giant black box around them due the them being SD. But that grand prix was directed by FujiTv not FOM like all the other races.
 
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This came as a huge surprise. I didn't even know the rights were up for auction. :eek:

I'll be glad to see the back of the adverts, but I hope the Beeb keep ITV's standards with features and pre race build up. They must also keep Martin Brundle, because he's great, but under no circumstances bring back Murray Walker. In his day, Muzza was a legend and I grew up hearing him commentate on motorsport, but he's well and truly past it now. The final thing, is of the course the intro music. We all want to hear Fleetwood Mac's finest blasting out over the titles, but will they use it? After all, it's a bit old fashioned...

Those of us cheering James Allen's demise will probably be disappointed. After all, who else is there to replace him? :D
 
Lunatic Dreyfus said:
but under no circumstances bring back Murray Walker. In his day, Muzza was a legend and I grew up hearing him commentate on motorsport, but he's well and truly past it now.
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Is he? He commentated on the 2007 Aussie GP for Australian TV, and was a shining beacon of excellence compared with every single other English speaking commentator around the world.

I'm going to join everyone else in wishing for "The Chain" to make a welcome return. Grand Prix racing hasn't been the same without it.
 
Stonedofmoo said:
The guys a legend but he hasn't got a clue whats happening in the race any more and his last few years were awful.
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I managed to have lunch with him at last years British GP Saturday qualifying as I was there as a guest of Honda F1, he sat at my table for lunch so I got to spend about an hour talking with him. He came across as an interesting mix of doddery, insightful, terse and knowledgeable, which is a pretty mixed up selection of bits, but there is no question he is past commentating and slow of mind and action, which at his grand age is not unexpected. He often got completely the wrong point people were making, which gave the impression he was doddery but a nice enough chap none the less I suppose.

I was never a fan really, I always found his voice made me want to shoot him as did his constant stupid mistakes, just like VBH from 5th Gear, and if he came back I would have to watch GP's with the sound down!
 
shrek2 said:
I really do hope they keep Martin Brundle. What do you guys reckon?
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That'd certainly be good. I could even almost live with them keeping James Allen - but if they retain Steve Rider and Mark Blundell down in base camp then I shall not be desperately amused.
 
JRS said:
Is he? He commentated on the 2007 Aussie GP for Australian TV, and was a shining beacon of excellence compared with every single other English speaking commentator around the world.

I'm going to join everyone else in wishing for "The Chain" to make a welcome return. Grand Prix racing hasn't been the same without it.
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Sorry JRS, I have to disagree. In his final years of British F1 coverage Murray's charming mistakes started to really get on my wick. I loved the guy, but it was time for him to retire gracefully. Times have changed, and Murray belongs back in that golden era, in my opinion of course.

On another note. It'll be interesting to see the ITV crews faces on Saturday. They must be gutted. I bet Brundle will be fighting to keep the smirk off his face though. :D He must be a shoo in for the 'knowledgeable co-commentator'.
 
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Yeah I hope the ITV employees don't get hit too badly out of all this. That would be a shame. Also I hope their enthusiasm and dedication isn't affected for the rest of the season.

Wouldn't it be awesome if the BBC just used the same intro from the 90's? At least for the first 2009 race... then they could put in a revised intro (BUT with the same music!!! this is critical)
 
Lunatic Dreyfus said:
This came as a huge surprise. I didn't even know the rights were up for auction. :eek:
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I don't think they were. ITV had another couple of years, after this one, left on their contract but they had a cancellation clause for the end of 2008. It looks by all accounts like ITV made the decision not to proceed and Bernie approached the BBC out of the blue. Although knowing Bernie Ecclestone you can bet he was putting pressure on ITV in some way or another and they probably couldn't meet his demands - maybe money or maybe HD?
 
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