21/09/2004
NEWS STORY
In a surprise move, Chinese Central Television (CCTV) has opted to hand over broadcasting duties at the forthcoming Chinese Grand Prix to Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management (FOM).
Originally it was agreed that FOM would work with CCTV, however there was concern that standards might slip due to the company's lack of experience of the sport. With F1 hoping, and praying, that China's entry to the 'F1 Club' will open up prosperous new markets, there is no room for error, as the sport wants to give the right impression from the very start.
"We have withdrawn by request of FOM," Zhang Xing, head of CCTV's F1 unit told China View. "CCTV is willing to participate and welcome the challenge but it's also understandable that FOM changed ideas. Anyway, FOM has the right to do on their own according to the agreement."
It's widely thought that FOM intends to become the host broadcaster for more and more events in 2005 and beyond, with many convinced that poor (local) coverage has been one of the reasons for the sport's decline in popularity in recent years.