Update

henners88 · 17 Jan 2012, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Down F0rce

Only on the races the BBC won't be showing live (apart from Silverstone)...

Will this make the audience sway over to Sky?

I highly doubt many will be swayed into digging deeper into their pockets because Damon has joined Sky for some of the season. He did pieces for the BBC in the past and although it was nice to have have as a guest, he didn't bring anything extra special IMO. He too thinks the deal is fantastic for the fans, but its puzzling why all the celebs, ex drivers, and broadcasters think its fantastic, yet the majority of the fans don't even at this late stage? Do they know something we don't?

Mr V · 17 Jan 2012, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by henners88

yet the majority of the fans don't even at this late stage? Do they know something we don't?

Depends if you have Sky as to wether you think its a fantastic deal

I'm not sure a little poll on a motorsport forum could form a majority opinion.

Paradise City · 17 Jan 2012, 14:28

I think you're either a Sky F1 man or you're not given the money involved.

I doubt if Sky promised to channel Fangio at a Sky seance it would be enough to get people to part with that type of cash if you weren't willing to do so in the first place.

henners88 · 17 Jan 2012, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr V

Depends if you have Sky as to wether you think its a fantastic deal

I'm not sure a little poll on a motorsport forum could form a majority opinion.

I think the level of negative coverage the deal has had in the press combined with the proposed viewing figures from Sky suggest a significant majority of fans will only be watching the BBC, so I think that speaks for itself in terms of a majority opinion.

I'm sure some people with access to Sky like myself are still considering the damage this deal will have on the interest level in the UK regardless of the fact others in the same boat are selfish with the notion they have it, so sod everyone else.

strider · 17 Jan 2012, 16:30

I've always thought that whilst it was a good idea to get the debate started early, the poll itself was premature because we didn't know all the facts.

It would be interesting to have another now that that we do.

Kunal Shah · 17 Jan 2012, 19:06

Well, here's where Formula1 can possibly learn from the Indian Premier League.

I have written a blog post on how 'Google and YouTube can solve the Formula1 TV rights saga' which clearly affects the UK TV viewers more than anyone else I know. Do read and share your thoughts.

**Adam43** · 17 Jan 2012, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbot

Damon Hill is to be part of the Sky team. He will be on hand to give insight into the practice sessions, qualifying and the race itself. Very good news indeed.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97055

Damon!

I'm going to cancel sky and resubscribe this is such good news. Damon being on has forced me to do this.

What?!

He was on the old F1digital+ and was very good. As well as the studio comment they offered an alternate commentary team with Damon as part of it. It was a more relax chatty type affair. Very good too. Of course you had to not listen to Ben for that.

henners88 · 17 Jan 2012, 21:19

Oh dear, not sure Damon was a good edition to the team. He was incredibly dull when he attempted to cover for Brundle a couple of years ago at the Hungarian GP (I think). Obviously this is a different role, but not convinced his voice is made for TV. I could change my mind of course.

**chunterer** · 17 Jan 2012, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by henners88

Oh dear, not sure Damon was a good edition to the team. He was incredibly dull when he attempted to cover for Brundle a couple of years ago at the Hungarian GP (I think). Obviously this is a different role, but not convinced his voice is made for TV. I could change my mind of course.

He's not doing commentary/summariser work though is he? He's doing the magazine and comment style stuff.....

bravo · 17 Jan 2012, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbot

I hear that Virgin subscribers are now able to get the Sky F1 channel with their Sky sports package.

Edit: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97040

Yes they can. For £22.50 a month extra on top of what they pay now - and they'll only get standard definition.

£270 for 10 races in SD on top of the free to view HD races on the BBC. I'd rather skip some of the more boring circuits and go watch the races live.

strider · 18 Jan 2012, 00:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbot

Damon Hill is to be part of the Sky team. He will be on hand to give insight into the practice sessions, qualifying and the race itself. Very good news indeed.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97055

I like Damon very much and normally I would be as enthusiastic as everyone else about this. But the other day I watched an interview he did with Peter Windsor on The Flying Lap. I was expecting him to be good, but was disappointed. It may be that he doesn't like Windsor, but if that's the case he shouldn't have agreed to go on the show.

He was very softly spoken, so much so that the mike was almost in his face. He seemed to think before every reply, whereas on TV he will need think on his feet more and be positive. I hope it works out, because I like him as I say, but I'm wondering.

**JeremySmith** · 18 Jan 2012, 01:14

I watched that as well Strider. Unfortunately most of the time the audio is rubbish, and dear old Peter has a tendency to interrupt all the time..

I think Damon will be fine, he is very articulate and quite knowledgeable, I thought the interview was pretty good..

**ghinzani** · 18 Jan 2012, 02:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paradise City

I doubt if Sky promised to channel Fangio at a Sky seance it would be enough to get people to part with that type of cash if you weren't willing to do so in the first place.

That had me in stitches, bravo!

However the news that Damons going to be part of it seriously makes me reconsider. I was going to ditch my Sky account in feb/march and just get Eurosport player rather than stump up another ten pounds a month, but Damon is such a superb person to listen to its almost worth the money, he has all his Fathers dry wit but in a more quietly spoken package and I for one cant get enough of it. He is also a thoroughly decent human being, and the complete anithesis to EJ. Then again theres alway all the illegal streams on the Internet, I am sure people will go out of their way to provide the streams. Are Radio5 definately going to provide live, full coverage for every race?