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Talking Point: Sky F1, Do You Believe It's Better?

NEWS STORY
16/06/2012

After the magnificent seven opening rounds of the 2012 season, we thought this would be as good a time as any to get your views on TV coverage of what some are calling the greatest start to a season in living memory.

Being a UK-based website, we are mainly concerned with how fans feel about this year's coverage and in particular the 'split' between Sky and BBC however, if you have any particular feelings about coverage where you are please feel free to contribute - after all, Pitpass is said to be Bernie Ecclestone's "pet website" so you know he'll get the message.

While Ecclestone has told Pitpass that F1 will not move entirely to pay-per-view, it is a fact that a precedent has been set and while some will remain free-to-air more and more coverage is likely to become subscription based. However, before you all rush to blame Mr E, let's remember that - other than the BBC's decision to change its original contract - the teams have made no secret of their desire to see the sport bring in more money from television.

Interestingly, while the BBC now issues viewing figures shortly after each race, the silence from Sky is deafening. Surely, one would have thought, had figures lived up to, or exceeded, expectations, Sky and Bernie would have been shouting it from the rooftops.

Judging by my mailbox and comments on our forum, other than the fact that it is only showing half the races live, the BBC's coverage is not suffering, indeed, under the circumstances viewing figures are extremely healthy. The team has survived the loss of several key members, most notably Martin Brundle and Ted Kravitz, while Ben Edwards is proving popular.

As for Sky, much of the 'stiffness' witnessed in the season preview in March has gone and with each race 'the team' seems a little more at ease with itself.

Brundle and Kravitz remain the main assets, while Natalie Pinkham appears to improve with every race having moved away from the (BBC) style which suggests the presenter is more important than the subject they're presenting.

Regular pundits, Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert - can he ever answer a question without beginning the response 'well....? - are good, while Jacques Villeneuve's contrary approach was much welcome in Canada. Also good to see that, unlike some, there is no one particular team, that Sky F1 is sucking up to.

Anthony Davidson does a good job, though the Sky Pad remains just a little too gimmicky, while the look on Georgie Thompson's face as he explains turn-in and DRS suggests he really is talking rocket science. Then again, her admission (in China?) that "the boys" had had to walk slowly through the paddock as she was having difficulty walking in her high heels lends some weight to those critics, mainly on newspaper forums, who want to know what is the point of her.

Simon Lazenby remains one of the weak spots; never convincing, always giving the impression that the questions he asks are being fed to him through an earpiece. That said, there is talk elsewhere that following his Monaco faux pas he will be moved quietly aside at season end.

Personally, my biggest criticism of Sky's coverage, and one which has - on more than a few occasions - had me seeking the remote, pondering whether to switch to the Beeb, has already been covered by Glen Crompton.

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