What’s the fuss over Sky’s Formula One rights deal?
With testing over, the cars lined up on the grid, and the world’s eyes descended on Melbourne for the first race of the 2012 Formula 1 season. Glitz and glamour have become synonymous with one of the most expensive and lucrative sports on the planet.
This year’s added dose of sensationalism comes from Sky’s dedicated yet controversial Formula 1 channel which launched in March. Sky have promised to revolutionise broadcasting of the sport, although the only revolution they look set to spark is an uprising of negative feelings from grass roots fans, who can no longer watch every race on free to air television for the first time ever.
The channel has caused uproar among angry fans who began a petition last year to keep coverage on the BBC. As part of the decision to share its coverage with Sky until 2018, the corporation will screen only ten of this seasons races live, whilst every race will be available through Sky.
The style of presentation on the channel is very much a continuation of the theme that runs throughout Sky Sports. Slick graphics, endless promotional videos with pounding mood music and 90 minutes of pre-race build-up to really crank up the hype.
Georgie Thompson and Anthony Davidson head up the interactive “Sky Pad,” whilst the headhunters have raided the BBC’s award-winning team. Davidson, Martin Brundle, David Croft, Ted Kravitz and Natalie Pinkham have all been poached, and the capture of Brundle represents a real coup for Sky.
The satellite channel gained an early advantage as they screened both the Australian and Malaysian Grand Prix live, with the BBC audience shown highlights later in the day.
In 2009, the BBC was celebrating retaining the rights from ITV. Fast forward three years and the corporation are mourning the loss of one of the final bastions of top level sport available to terrestrial viewers.
A cooperative between the BBC and Channel 4 was briefly mooted to keep coverage free to air. However, the BBC decided that Sky were the most viable partner.
The BBC recently screened the conclusion of the RBS Six Nations, but how long will it be before this or Wimbledon is whisked away onto pay-TV, or perhaps even the ‘Crown Jewels’, the World Cup and Olympic Games?
When the deal was announced last summer, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh stated that the teams believed the BBC would screen full re-runs. However, they are only showing extended highlights of Sky’s exclusive races, further reducing ordinary fans exposure to the sport.
Sky’s pivotal role in launch of the Premier League in 1992 was the first step towards the monopoly that they now hold over live sport.
They continued this process by creating Super League in 1996 and quickly branded both with their trademark gaudiness. One of their key tools in this procedure is discussing stats from the inception of those two leagues.
Any live sport that moves to Sky is treated to a bump in coverage. A look at the Sky Sports website reveals that this is already underway with Formula 1. A flashy new page is home to all this season’s team lineups and statistics, and stories from race weekends now sit proudly on the homepage.
Advertisement
Formula 1 suffered in the early in the noughties due to Ferrari’s dominance, resulting in a lack of entertainment. However, gradual changes in the rules have steadily re-increased the role of the driver and improved the excitement of races.
Sky’s involvement will certainly give the sport an additional publicity boost, perhaps further increasing the entertainment, as well as creating more jobs in the media.
Furthermore, the creation of a dedicated channel gives fans the kind of exposure they could once only dream of. Sky are able to screen every practice session, as well as making their expert analysis available six days a week on race weeks.
Daniel Stevens was left salivating at the prospect of six days of coverage stating, ‘BBC’s coverage was excellent, and has been since the days of Murray Walker, but I was always disappointed by the overall exposure it offered. Being able to watch every practice live, the increased amount of time Sky can dedicate to the issues, as well as the overall exposure to new fans adds up to a fantastic package.’
Unfortunately, this has come at a cost to fans who cannot afford their services. With test cricket, half of the FA Cup and now Formula 1 moving to pay-TV, terrestrial viewers are being left with an ever increasing amount of highlights packages to satisfy their sporting appetites. This has left viewers with a straight choice between missing out, or forking out for subscription.
It is a sad sign of the times that some life-long fans are no longer able to watch the sport they love because they cannot afford the subscription fees. Matthew Parry added, ‘Although I’m sure that Sky offer a fantastic package, the everyday fans of the sport are being told, if you can’t pay, you can’t watch. Every sport is gradually moving away from grass roots fans and I think that is a real shame.’
This season began well for British fans, with Lewis Hamilton pipping team mate Jenson Button to pole in Australia, with Button scoring his third victory in Melbourne, the cream of a field containing a record breaking six World Champions. Hamilton has scored consecutive podiums and is well placed to mount another title challenge this year.
For those who have been able to tune in, there are signs that Sky’s excellent coverage will be seamlessly transferred to their latest addition. However, whilst events on the track have been a cause for celebration for British fans, for many of the viewers at home it has been a cause for commiseration as they saw another of the jewels of live terrestrial sport begin to slip away.
Do you subscribe to Sky F1? Are you one of the thousands who signed the epetition to keep the sport exclusively on the BBC? Have your say below.
No longer an F1 Fan
After 28 years of watching F1, being a loyal fan to the teams and even going to
watch races when I could, I now find myself not watching F1 at all.
This deal the BBC made with Sky disgusted me, the way the BBC treated the licence
payers and the F1 fans once they announced the deal was just down right ignorant. The
BBC should be ashamed of the way they acted and even more ashamed for making deals
With a company that is currently being investigated for criminal activities.
Since this F1 season kicked off I have had no interest in the sport, this deal and the way
The fans have been treated has made me look at the sport in a different way and I now find other more worthy things to entertain me on a Sunday. So f1 has lost me as a viewer.
As for the comment about people in the UK wanting things for free, the BBC is not free
We have to pay a licence fee for it so expecting them to provide what people want to watch is not wanting something for nothing.
Could but won't
I could easily afford Sky - I could even charge it to my business - but I won't because I am disgusted at the way the sport is making itself exclusive. I won't buy anything advertised on the cars, or the tyres, or the oil, the fuels or anything else associated with F1 as long as it remains "Exclusive" to Sky. As a side issue, didn't Sky PAY hackers to kill it's rivals? And if so why haven't Murdoch and his clan been extradited to the USA yet? We live in hope!
F1
When Margaret Thatcher helped Murdoch launch Sky with exemptions from EU broadcasting rules, she also made the BBC pay £10m a year to be transmitted on the Sky platform, although across the rest of Europe commercial broadcasters pay public broadcasters for the privilege of using their content.
Its time to get OUR (licence fee) money back and our sport.
To those defending the bbc:-
fee income £3.4 billion
total income £4.7 billion
total outgoings £3.5 billion,that leaves £1.2 billion sat in a bank account earning interest.(all 2010).
So why do the BBC need to make 20% cuts,especially as their income has not even been CUT, but FROZEN?
Bryston55
F1
It is a shame that f1 had to go the way of all other major sporting events, but then you get what you pay for nowadays.
As for being able to afford it or not, well unfortunately some now will not be able to.
As far as getting jobs or luxuries is concerne, this is not relevant to this article unless you feel hard done by.
But as was pointed out, the licence fee is actually way under what is actually required, however if the BBC cut salarys a bit better for example Mr Moyles' down by 250k pa, a programme could be saved.
When the BBC were paying more for f1 than the whole budget for Radio6, its pretty obvious what gives the greatest savings even if they made a deal with the devil or not.
At the end of the day, f1 on the BBC will someday return in.full. These things all come around in the end..I though might be dead by then though..! Lol.
Paying for mandatory TV licence
£140 per year...come on..that's less than 12 pound a month...Reduce your expectations, stop whining and apply for the types of jobs plenty of immigrants are getting everyday.and if you stop wanting £2k a month you should be fine. Lose some pride and then you might be able to regain you self worth.
In the meantime, terrestrial tv is still a luxury..the programming and content upto the BBC...Actually the licence is not enough already...so thank your lucky stars its not 200pa.
F1
When you have lost your job, then your home, are told you are 'unemployable' simply for being over 50, can't get the state benefits you have worked and paid for all your life and have to seriously go without just to pay the mandatory TV license, then your comments will have some substance.
Meanwhile, you are just a smug self important wind bag with no idea what you are talking about.
Enjoy your Sky rubbish, I hope you choke on it.
But Now What - about F1
Yes you are right about Ben Gallop, especially with his cohort Barbara Slater….
The bbc were far too cowardly to see out their contract & hell bent on stopping another FTA TV form sharing and/or bidding to take over the contract to televise F1. They the bbc are the main wrong doers here, followed closely by $KY and all Companies/Politicians F1 Teams/Bernie Ecclestone & his FOM, who are all sucking up to Murdoch.
Mark Thompson is falling on his sword and going,(which we already knew, when Chris Patten, ‘Trust me I am a DQF Doctor’), leaked it a couple of Months ago….no doubt The ex- DG will be getting a Golden Hand Shake to boot? The deal is most probably illegal see this link:
http://www.petition.co.uk/investigation-into-the-legality-of-the-recent-...
$KY will not be having adverts during the race or putting up the price sometime after the first year, just like they were not going to re-launch their News of the World as the Sun on Sunday. They are still being economical with the truth as always. 'Trust me I am a Phone Hacker' & 'Would I lie to you’? My name is Murdoch, James Murdoch; please see this link & get all of your friends to sign it, if you really are an F1 Fan & do not like the way we have been sold down the river. Here is the Government’s E-Petition mentioned in the article earlier by Robbie Gill:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/57
There are several more on the Government’s Official E-Petition Website that you might also be interested in …….
---------------------------------
I will not be paying any money, (although I could afford to buy $KY if I gave up everything including, the basic necessities of life, like feeding & clothing my Family), to B$kyB and/or News International/News Corp, now in this life or the next. Every day there are so called many more ‘new’ revelations coming out about all of these companies ‘owned’ and/or run by the Murdoch’s? Here are a few select ones, although there are plenty more:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandteleco...
& http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17494723 & http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/65723/panorama-claims-nds-hacking-brou...
His name and what he and/or his companies have done are like a rash all over the internet.
I am one of few who could afford $KY, but I will not pay a penny to any Company owned by Murdoch; in this life or in the next. I at least have a conscious and can sleep at night, over this Phone Hacking Scandal and all the rest of their shenanigan’s?…
No to F1 on $KY and yes to F1 on FTA. Come and join like-minded F1 Fans on our Facebook Group, one of many against this deal. We are a nice bunch of Motor Sports Fans:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/224225887622487
As far as we are concerned the Fat Lady is singing, but the fight is far from over. We will never keep quiet about this.
---------------------
Remember that you can still contact your local/own MP to make representations, (complain), on your behalf to the Chair of the Commons Select Committee for Culture, Media & Sport, John Whittingdale.
Signed the petition and got sky
I did sign the petition as I felt robbed of the sport I love, I waited in anticipation for it to be discussed in parliament sports commission yet it was only discussed for approx 2 half minutes or so.
I Ummed and arred about getting sky as I couldn't afford it but as a life long fan I juggled a few things around downsized my car and had enough for the basic package
So far I'm pleased with what has been broadcast
What people have to remember that the contracts were penned by the bbc so they have only got themselves to blame and should of listen to the fans who pay our tv licence for them to broadcast
Give BBC a chance
Despite being a huge F1 fan for the past 16 years I nevertheless decided to give the highlights show on the bbc a chance before forking out £30 a month for sky. After two races I am plesently surprised with the extent of the highlights coverage which seemed to last at least an hour and a quarter. Probably not much less time than compared to ITV's coverage when taking into account the lost viewing time with ads. Naturally I would prefer to see all races in full not to forget the pre race and post race analysis but I do think the internet websites provide excellent in depth analysis already. I am concerned that the bbc coverage will gradually decline year on year and what happens in 2018 when the existing deal expires. I fully expect that in the long term Sky will be the media of choice.
For now I am more than happy to watch Jake, DC, Ben and Gary. Gary's experience as former technical director of Jordan GP makes him one of the best pit lane pundits around. That should at least save me 6 years of nasty subscription fees.
A bit of balance and perspective people please.
Why o why do people think they can get everything for free in the UK?!
If you can not afford something, it means you can not have it. TV is a luxury, not a right.
I work hard to earn as much money for my wife and family as I can, forsaking one thing to afford another. The balance may be a little in a direction that I selfishly don't like for a while, but life is a compromise.
So I say "hard cheese" to those that cannot afford to watch full F1 coverage on Payg TV. You still have BBC coverage whilst they can afford it, and don't forget, 3million or more are watching free gratis, whilst on State benefits...and who has paid for them? Me again.
So stop moaning for something you either can't afford or refuse to pay for. One way or another you could if you earnt the money or put yourself in a position to do so.
When I cannot afford to buy PAYG TV, I won't watch either, however for the moment I can and will. Guilt or greed, no. Paying for the way I live honestly and fairly, yes.
ExcessBaggage
No to Sky, the deal is a disgrace. The BBC didn't even discuss partnership with other channels, not even a single phone call to C4 to discuss a deal. For the BBC, they were in bed with Sky from the start, and who headed it up? Ben Gallop, sports editor, and ex Sky employee.
*slow hand clap*
Can pay won't pay
I don't want to pay for Sky purely to watch F1 so I will carry on with the BBC. After two races though the need to avoid all media for a substantial chunk of my weekend has already taken a toll on my interest.
For the next race that isn't live on the BBC I will be trying out some live feeds I've been sent. I will miss all the coverage outside the race but if it lets me actually have my life as well as watching F1 then so be it.
You can't polish a t**d no matter how hard you try..
Since the start of the season I have been fortunate to watch both. I say fortunate, but quite frankly Sky really aren't up to the job.
Sky have thrown millions at this thing, blinging it up to the point that it is the televisual equivalent of puff diddlys chrome plated humvee. But it doesn't work, Simon Lazenby flounces about and doesn't know what he's talking about. Damon Hill stands there looking aloof, and Brundle looks distinctly uncomfortable almost as though it has suddenly dawned on him that moving to Sky hasn't allowed him to do the features he wants, it's allowed Sky to get him to do the features Ferrari pay them for...
I thought Georgie Thompson was supposed to know about Motorsport. Yet she stands in front of the skypad asking supersillious questions to Davidson. Don't even ask what I think of the skypad...pointless, whatever happened to just 'playing a VT'
Meanwhile back at the BBC, Ben Edwards has filled Brundles shoes and DC has stepped it up too...yes I miss Brundle slightly, but do I miss him enough to pay for Sky? No.
Whilst Gary Anderson has got a way to go to become a finessed presenter, I learnt more from him in 5 minutes and his luminous orange pen, than the skypad imparted over the course of 3 hours..
Jake is on fine form, and ok he had a whiff of loner without EJ during quali, he still dives in and grabs interviews where he can.
James Allen on 5live appears to have had a brain transplant in the last 4 years because unbelievably he is no longer thencock he once was! Which means im perfectly happy to watch in bed with a completely legal and free eu stream and 5 live commentary.
Sky may eventually win, but at this point in the season even with reduced coverage the Beeb are still leagues ahead
Formula 1
I cannot afford to watch sky and have always been a formula 1 fanatic. Like all things good it is now unreachable. I have to hide away in silence so as not to hear the results and my summer weekends are a drag. I dont care for Martin Brundle anyway but sick person that I may be I like to watch at all hours of the day or night in real time. It is exciting and exhilerating. I feal robbed!!! When BBC had the coverage over the past cou[le of years it was the best reporting ever - sorry Murray but it was. Now although David and Jake make a good team with Eddie its the real time thing that is so important to me. £39 for sky sports and a £10 add on for formula 1 takes up most of my pension and I either eat or view or give up my car and view. It is as simple as that. Greedy people start wars and disputes and dont think of those that are the backbone of society. For the first time in my life I feel poor and unnecesary.
My favourite sport, but I won't be paying
I currently live in University Halls, and as such have access to Sky HD, including sports coverage. I have to say, the F1 coverage is truly excellent.
But come September, I'll be living in my own house, and I do not want to pay £30 per month to watch F1. I love the sport, but I don't love it £400 a year. I don't want anything else Sky does, all I want is the F1, and so it's not worth it to buy the coverage.
I don't know what will happen to my love of the sport. Maybe I'll get by with downloads of the coverage, who knows. All I do know is that this is the final time I will be able to watch F1 races live.
rich people only need apply
If the BBC and formula 1 want to see the demise of there sport just going this way and there will be no one outside the stadiums.
Keith Collantine | F1 Fanatic
The negative effect of the Sky deal on F1's popularity in the UK is obvious.
The best indication is that around one million fewer people watched the Australian Grand Prix - the first race of the season - this year:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/03/22/uk-tv-audience-falls-one-million-s...
The root problems is that F1 does not enjoy the protected status other sports enjoy - despite attracting larger audiences than several of them and despite more than half the F1 teams being based in the UK:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2009/11/14/why-the-government-must-protect-li...
Post new comment