F1 goes to Sky sports

[Al Weyman]

Wasnt that bad surely.

[Adam43]

The post race show is dreadful, lots of fun chat with people we have no interest in. People like Andretti, Villeneuve, Grosjean, Perez, Hamilton. Pathetic.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Wasnt that bad surely.

No it's not that bad, just that the BBC do it much better.

[Adam43]

The beeb are good at most things they do, except flotillas.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Adam43

The beeb are good at most things they do, except flotillas.

They certainly supplied plenty of rain.

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

They certainly supplied plenty of rain.

We have to keep up the National stereotype - it's what the tourists expect.

[Paradise City]

I think the Sky commentary team are OK. Croft is more uptight on Sky and does say a few minor dumb things but nothing stand out. Brundle is his usual efficient self but I've never warmed to the man; his commentary is more like that of an 'an instructor' as befits the expert. Serious, efficient stuff but I've never been able to make 'friends' with his commentary.

Edwards, I've listened to him for some years before Brundle. I associate him in my mind with other commentators I grew up with such as Walker and sometime Indycar commentator Paul Page. That's one of the reasons why I pluck with the BBC when they are live, personal reasons. Although I've never met the man I feel like I know him from his days of doing voiceovers for highlights on Speedworld.

Alot of the resentment and it's legitimate resentment is down to the fact that they are holding people who want to watch the race live hostage. It's not that Sky are offering a substantially superior product that you'd pay for. O.K the Legends programs are excellent but I saw plenty of stuff that was pure fluff on ther too. I'm an F1 fan not a Hello reader. I'm not interested in the Torro Rosso duo inside what looked like a giant hamster wheel with some flashy circus. Less of that silly lifestyle garbage. In fairness, they followed that up with Webber at the TT and a quiet interview with Alonso but I'm not interested in feel good promotional segments that masquerade as insight.

To those who aren't hostages to live broadcasting I couldn't recommend Sky. Even in its diminished form the BBC have a much more fluent approach.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

I'm not interested in the Torro Rosso duo inside what looked like a giant hamster wheel with some flashy circus. Less of that silly lifestyle garbage.

Have to agree, that was totally pointless and a waste of airspace, that said, the BBC did a bit with Michael and horses last year, equally pointless and a waste of airspace. They all do it. (Don't get me started on the tripe that ITV used to do either)

[Paradise City]

Originally Posted by Mr V

Have to agree, that was totally pointless and a waste of airspace, that said, the BBC did a bit with Michael and horses last year, equally pointless and a waste of airspace. They all do it. (Don't get me started on the tripe that ITV used to do either)

It's one thing for a free channel to tend to a mainstream audience, it's another thing paying for a dedicated channel for the dedicated fan and getting back gooey lifestyle fluff for some of your money. For all their boasts of new thinking when it comes to Skypads...etc they failed to have the imagination to break routine industry practice. I don't want to overstate Sky's faults. It isn't a bad service for a small fee but there's no sense in paying for the price it is now unless you're a live addict because there's not a lot new there and frankly there is much that is unsatisfactory in relation to the competition.

[p-matt]

Originally Posted by Mr V

Have to agree, that was totally pointless and a waste of airspace, that said, the BBC did a bit with Michael and horses last year, equally pointless and a waste of airspace. They all do it. (Don't get me started on the tripe that ITV used to do either)

Cooking with Olivier Panis?!

[Born Racer]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Crofty is no where near as good as the BBC commentator we used to listen to on the radio last year - everyone loved him.

He's not as good watching him on the races as he is in the practice sessions.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

It's one thing for a free channel to tend to a mainstream audience, it's another thing paying for a dedicated channel for the dedicated fan and getting back gooey lifestyle fluff for some of your money. For all their boasts of new thinking when it comes to Skypads...etc they failed to have the imagination to break routine industry practice. I don't want to overstate Sky's faults. It isn't a bad service for a small fee but there's no sense in paying for the price it is now unless you're a live addict because there's not a lot new there and frankly there is much that is unsatisfactory in relation to the competition.

Your entitled to that opinion of course, but i don't personally see the difference. Both stations (Sky and BBC) are padding out their shows.

[Paradise City]

Originally Posted by Mr V

Your entitled to that opinion of course, but i don't personally see the difference. Both stations (Sky and BBC) are padding out their shows.

It's a big difference between public broadcaster who have to cater for all interests and who have an obligation to maximise their viewership and a dedicated F1 channel offering a dedicated service. Cuddly lifestyle segments are there to draw in the interest of the non-racefan. It taps into the popular love of celebrity.

[bella]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

Cuddly lifestyle segments are there to draw in the interest of the non-racefan. It taps into the popular love of celebrity.

perhaps, but i like aforementioned fluff. with many of the drivers it catches them out of circuit mode and you can see what they're like as guys. when they're churning out their pr training in front of a camera you can't. it's a pointer towards their actions on track too.

[Paradise City]

Originally Posted by bella

perhaps, but i like aforementioned fluff. with many of the drivers it catches them out of circuit mode and you can see what they're like as guys. when they're churning out their pr training in front of a camera you can't. it's a pointer towards their actions on track too.

What I'd like to see are them like the Motorsport podcast. Swapping anecdotes - need only be for 30 minutes. It's cheaper, we get to see the real driver. Watching them smile uncomfortably while they clamber into a gigantic hamster thing isn't giving me much insight into their personalities.