BBC and Sky to share F1 coverage

[Jon notbutton]

OK guys,

I have held out this long on the Sky purchase and find myself thinking that it really isn't worth it.

So far this year I would have missed 2 of the live races due to travel commitments for work.

I miss Brundles grid walk. Eddie & co are annoying me but it sounds like the Sky option has a lot wrong with it so how do they compare? Are many viewers going to keep going with Sky and if so why is it worth the extra cash?

I am not really interested in spending entire weekends in from of the TV and neglecting my family so really it's just the quali and race coverage that is of main interest to me!

[Podge 90]

Eddie and co won't annoy you after you experience the drab and dreary Lazenby and co. Seriously, the rapport between the two groups is so stark, and yeah it is something that can only improve on Sky, but they've got a hell of a long way to go. After watching the first few races on Sky, it was actually good to see Eddie again! It's better that they aren't afraid to disagree with each other.

I managed to get the Sky Go option (if you know somebody with Sky they can set up 2/3 devices -computers or smart phones - that can access Sky free of charge, so I get Sky F1 on my laptop then hook it up to my TV), but whenever the coverage is on the BBC I'll watch it on the beeb. It's all just less 'try-hard' and pretentious.

In my view, the commentary team of Coulthard and Edwards is fantastic, and while Brundle was a loss to the team, I don't think you could ask for two better substitutes. And Gary Anderson (struggle as I might to understand him sometimes) is a great addition.

Like I said, coming back to watch the BBC coverage, it all just seems......better. It's worse off for losing Brundle and Kravitz, (and obviously only having half the races!!) but that's it, in my eyes.

I'd say it's definitely worth asking friends or family if they have Sky and then trying the Sky Go option.

[bewildered_jim]

I agree about Edwards; I've barely thought about the commentary which is good. And they're happy to give the cars a moment to make their sound!

Anderson is okay, but I get a bit annoyed at how 'totally utterly obvious' everything is to him, and then about 10% of it actually bears out. Could do with being a bit more 'Dunno - let's wait and see'.
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"With its F1 coverage from 2012 set to play second fiddle, the BBC promises to get fans close to the true experience - of being Mark Webber" #HIGNFY @don_lyall

[The YC]

[Editor]

Is it me?

Or does Croft's voice change from the practice sessions to qualifying and the race.

The moment he came on for qualifying his voice sounded different to practice, a sort of low shout and heavily accenting on certain syllables.

It's very odd.

[The Rumble Strip]

I'm confused by this whole skypad thing.

For sure it is detailed but the Ant has just spent about five minutes explaining why Perez crashed in Q1.

It would have been simpler to say, he ran a bit to wider than he had previously, allowing for his potentially damaged car.

[White Lightning]

[Editor]

As much as I loathe the BBC I really feel that I cannot take Croft any longer.

His shouting is really ruining it.

It is totally unnecessary

[Editor]

Also, can Johnny Herbert reply to a question without beginning the response "well..... "

[Jon notbutton]

He could alternate with "I'm glad you asked" and "that's a great question"...

All suitable responses while you try to engage brain!

[francisn]

Today I watched qualifying with Sky on the TV and BBC on my laptop and switched the sound between the two as things took my interest.

What was interesting was how the two shows were almost identical in when they went to various features (last race, quali, interviews etc) so not much to choose between them there.

I ended up watching more Sky than BBC because I thought Damon and Johnny were more interesting than Eddie. I did watch BBC when Gary Anderson was speaking as he is always worth listening to.

Contrary to what Rumble Strip wrote, I thought Ant's analysis of the Perez crash was very illuminating and relevant, and Brundle had already mentioned the possible failure of a steering arm so it all added to the info. No criticism there.

I think Crofty is getting better and didn't find him unduly irritating today.

So - I will continue as I did today, with both offerings live as well as the live timings.

BUT - if I HAD to choose between them - I would probably go for Sky.

Sorry if that doesn't match what you want to hear.

[Editor]

[francisn]

No Chris - not aimed at anyone in particular.

By chance I just caught a replay on the BBC of the Perez crash yesterday and Ben Edwards was doing a pretty good job of screaming

For a moment a I had to double check which channel I was watching!

Anyway - aren't we lucky to have a choice.

[White Lightning]

Wow...I've not got Sky on, but I hear something rather unnecessary was just said.

[francisn]

Simon Lazenby made a flippant mention of Princess Grace and driving on the steep roads above Monaco. It was a bit tasteless (though not exactly the end of the world). To be fair he did apologise 5 minutes later.