F1 fans are being spoilt this year, right? They have the choice of 2 top channels to watch their F1 coverage on, 1 with a highly established team but only 10 races and the other with all the technology and scope we could ask for, with an amazing line up to match.
Sky Sports F1 Launched their dedicated F1 channel, Sky channel 408, in full HD with all the team (bar Pinkham and Croft) in the studio. A 2 hour preview of the season guided us through the run up to Australia and reviewed all the driver and team changes, as well as looking over testing.
Sky Sports F1 HD was the answer to the BBC's bailout. The BBC are showing 10 races live, and the rest in a highlights show in the evening, to cut costs. Sky took the opportunity with both hands and have given F1 fans more coverage and hours of viewing we could ever ask for. Plus, we get more in depth into how F1 teams work, get to know the drivers and teams better while still watching it from our own sofa's.
The studio is a medium sized space, consisting of 3 main area's. The sofa and table area is where most of the debating goes on. The wing shaped table is a beautiful piece of furniture and keeps the link to F1. Then there is the SkyPad area, where a large touch screen iPad style piece of electronics is displayed. This has a large number of functions for analysing footage, explaining technical details and reviewing race data. This area is also where Ted uses the 3D car which appears, with Ted able to move the car around so he can analyse all the car's features. We saw the Mclaren MP4-27 and Caterham CT-01 on display on the launch, a highly innovative piece of kit which i have been told is very difficult to use. Then there is the area to the right, where they had Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull RB7. Not only was it a joy for viewers on pre and post advert camera panning but also helped Ted explain some of the rule changes.
Most of the Sky Sports F1 team (Brundle, Hill, Lazenby, Thompson, Kravitz and Davidson) where at the launch. Simon Lazenby, not well known by F1 fans but a talented presenter, anchord the show and illustrated his increased knowledge and skills at presenting. Martin Brundle and Damon Hill were on the sofa, providing driver knowledge and analysis that was on point and interesting. Ted was using his 3D car, SkyPad and the Red Bull RB7 to emphasise his f1 knowledge, he really is the brains of F1. He took us through all the car changes and also had features on testing too. Georgie Thompson and Anthony Davidson analysed some footage from last year and used the technological SkyPad to analyse some of the overtaking moves from last year and look on to the prospects of 2012. Thompson also sat down with Jenson Button for an exclusive interview. Pinkham did make an appearance with a feature in the company of Mark Webber, visiting the Chelsea vs Manchester United football game before some post game interviewing.
The features were well put together and extremely focused on giving us the best and most in depth knowledge. The Mercedes team brought the Sky Sports F1 camera deep into their team and gave us an exclusive look at how the team works. They also had access all area's into the first drive of the Force India VJM05 with Brundle interviewing driver Paul Di Resta while he was driving the car.
Not only were the features well put together, polished and containing great content, the presenters were all at their best and extremely comfortable in the environment. The 2 hour show went off without a hitch, despite the odd advert break. Adverts will not be during the race, qualifying or practice so an advert in a non-live action show is fine by me. Maybe that's what the BBC are getting wrong, they don't get that income through advertising.
I am by no means comparing BBCF1 to Sky Sports F1. They are completely different and brilliant in their own rights. This review of the Sky Sports F1 launch shows that they are committed and have high quality people making the shows great. There is no competition because they both produce things in different ways. I saw on twitter people being almost told off for watching Sky Sports F1 and for hating it too, but people have their own opinions.
For me, the BBC were great from 2009 to 2011 but Sky are bringing forward a dedicated, full F1 channel just for the sport i love. They will have 14 hours or more of coverage per race weekend as well as a number of mid week features which I feel is amazing. Keep it up Sky.
 |
| (c) Sky Sports F1 |
Sky Sports F1 HD was the answer to the BBC's bailout. The BBC are showing 10 races live, and the rest in a highlights show in the evening, to cut costs. Sky took the opportunity with both hands and have given F1 fans more coverage and hours of viewing we could ever ask for. Plus, we get more in depth into how F1 teams work, get to know the drivers and teams better while still watching it from our own sofa's.
| (c) Sky Sports F1 |
Most of the Sky Sports F1 team (Brundle, Hill, Lazenby, Thompson, Kravitz and Davidson) where at the launch. Simon Lazenby, not well known by F1 fans but a talented presenter, anchord the show and illustrated his increased knowledge and skills at presenting. Martin Brundle and Damon Hill were on the sofa, providing driver knowledge and analysis that was on point and interesting. Ted was using his 3D car, SkyPad and the Red Bull RB7 to emphasise his f1 knowledge, he really is the brains of F1. He took us through all the car changes and also had features on testing too. Georgie Thompson and Anthony Davidson analysed some footage from last year and used the technological SkyPad to analyse some of the overtaking moves from last year and look on to the prospects of 2012. Thompson also sat down with Jenson Button for an exclusive interview. Pinkham did make an appearance with a feature in the company of Mark Webber, visiting the Chelsea vs Manchester United football game before some post game interviewing.
The features were well put together and extremely focused on giving us the best and most in depth knowledge. The Mercedes team brought the Sky Sports F1 camera deep into their team and gave us an exclusive look at how the team works. They also had access all area's into the first drive of the Force India VJM05 with Brundle interviewing driver Paul Di Resta while he was driving the car.
Not only were the features well put together, polished and containing great content, the presenters were all at their best and extremely comfortable in the environment. The 2 hour show went off without a hitch, despite the odd advert break. Adverts will not be during the race, qualifying or practice so an advert in a non-live action show is fine by me. Maybe that's what the BBC are getting wrong, they don't get that income through advertising.
I am by no means comparing BBCF1 to Sky Sports F1. They are completely different and brilliant in their own rights. This review of the Sky Sports F1 launch shows that they are committed and have high quality people making the shows great. There is no competition because they both produce things in different ways. I saw on twitter people being almost told off for watching Sky Sports F1 and for hating it too, but people have their own opinions.
For me, the BBC were great from 2009 to 2011 but Sky are bringing forward a dedicated, full F1 channel just for the sport i love. They will have 14 hours or more of coverage per race weekend as well as a number of mid week features which I feel is amazing. Keep it up Sky.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.