At the end of 2015, it was confirmed that F1’s terrestrial home in the UK would be moving from the BBC to Channel 4 for this season.
BBC Sport was forced to make £35 million in savings and its coverage of the sport didn’t make the cut. However, change isn’t necessarily bad for F1.
The BBC ended its contract three years early, with many expecting ITV to take up the role of F1’s free-to-air broadcaster in the UK. However, Channel 4 picked up the rights to show half of the races live and the remainder as highlights.
Many were surprised by the announcement and it was a shame to hear the 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the BBC's last F1 race. I have really enjoyed its coverage and preferred it to Sky Sports F1 last season.
Here are a few reasons why I think F1 moving over to Channel 4 is a good thing for the sport.
1. Remaining free-to-air
This was crucial for F1’s viewing figures and popularity in the UK. I imagine quite a few people were casual viewers of the BBC’s coverage and this is an important aspect of the sport gaining new fans and capturing the attention of those tuned in or flicking channels.
Sky Sports F1’s viewer numbers were considerably less compared to the BBC throughout their time sharing rights due to it being pay-to-view. This limits the audience considerably and for F1’s future, it was very important that it remained on a free-to-air channel. Channel 4 came to the rescue and the deal means F1 will not fall behind a pay wall. Well, half of the races anyway.
2. A new approach
A broadcaster with no experience covering motorsport could be a big positive, bringing a fresh approach and format to F1. Sky Sports F1’s mix of awkward banter and long spells of conversation doesn’t make for particularly fun or enjoyable viewing. It has lost the spark the coverage had back in 2012 and 2013.
The BBC’s pre and post-race programming was more simple and stripped back, but Channel 4 coming in could bring something different to coverage of F1. Whether it is more in-depth, higher-budget features, more use of social media or new segments during shows, there are lots of possibilities out there. Channel 4 has a slightly younger audience and a variety of channels, meaning there is no shortage of space.
As well as more commercial and marketing opportunities for teams and brands compared to when F1 was on the BBC, the channel is also keen to provide more factual, historical programming and cross-platform content, as shown in the ten-point plan it presented in 2011 when going for exclusive F1 rights.
3. No adverts
This is a major win for F1 fans. When the sport was on ITV, several advert breaks would split up the races, causing viewers to miss some crucial moments. I am sure we all remember the frustration felt when that happened!
Channel 4 has promised races will be uninterrupted by commercial breaks and this is great news. There were fears that if ITV picked up the rights once again, adverts would reappear. It is good to see Channel 4’s early commitment to commercial-free live race broadcasts.
4. New talent
There has been a fair bit of speculation over Channel 4’s presenting team and that will only increase over the next month or so, before an announcement is made. But a new channel also means a fresh mix of people - we could well see Channel 4 using some in-house talent, as well as new ex-drivers joining as pundits.
Many of those who worked on coverage for the BBC were not exclusive to the channel and could well switch over. I really enjoyed the combination of Ben Edwards and David Coulthard in the commentary booth, so I wouldn’t mind if both moved across.
The most interesting aspect for me is the pundits. Coulthard does a good job but it would be good to see someone with more recent F1 driving experience join the team, like Mark Webber or even Susie Wolff. We will see though.
5. Additional content
As mentioned previously, Channel 4 was keen to introduce much more extra programming outside of race weekends when it tried to get F1 rights back in 2011. It certainly has enough channels and spaces to fit in more F1-related shows, just stop repeating Come Dine With Me a few times a week.
BBC had more limited space and didn’t seem keen to produce as many extra programmes and put them on other channels. This is something Channel 4 pushed before, with more broadcasting of historical footage, factual programming and documentary-style shows. Hopefully their vision hasn’t changed.
With Sky Sports F1 struggling to create the content it once did, due to budget constraints, Channel 4 would be smart to produce more F1 content and distribute it on more of its free-to-air outlets. You can only watch a repeated interview with an ex-F1 driver on Sky Sports F1 so many times…
What do you think of F1 moving to Channel 4? Let me know on
The BBC ended its contract three years early, with many expecting ITV to take up the role of F1’s free-to-air broadcaster in the UK. However, Channel 4 picked up the rights to show half of the races live and the remainder as highlights.
Many were surprised by the announcement and it was a shame to hear the 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the BBC's last F1 race. I have really enjoyed its coverage and preferred it to Sky Sports F1 last season.
Here are a few reasons why I think F1 moving over to Channel 4 is a good thing for the sport.
1. Remaining free-to-air
This was crucial for F1’s viewing figures and popularity in the UK. I imagine quite a few people were casual viewers of the BBC’s coverage and this is an important aspect of the sport gaining new fans and capturing the attention of those tuned in or flicking channels.
Sky Sports F1’s viewer numbers were considerably less compared to the BBC throughout their time sharing rights due to it being pay-to-view. This limits the audience considerably and for F1’s future, it was very important that it remained on a free-to-air channel. Channel 4 came to the rescue and the deal means F1 will not fall behind a pay wall. Well, half of the races anyway.
2. A new approach
A broadcaster with no experience covering motorsport could be a big positive, bringing a fresh approach and format to F1. Sky Sports F1’s mix of awkward banter and long spells of conversation doesn’t make for particularly fun or enjoyable viewing. It has lost the spark the coverage had back in 2012 and 2013.
The BBC’s pre and post-race programming was more simple and stripped back, but Channel 4 coming in could bring something different to coverage of F1. Whether it is more in-depth, higher-budget features, more use of social media or new segments during shows, there are lots of possibilities out there. Channel 4 has a slightly younger audience and a variety of channels, meaning there is no shortage of space.
 |
| Source: F1 Broadcasting Blog |
As well as more commercial and marketing opportunities for teams and brands compared to when F1 was on the BBC, the channel is also keen to provide more factual, historical programming and cross-platform content, as shown in the ten-point plan it presented in 2011 when going for exclusive F1 rights.
3. No adverts
This is a major win for F1 fans. When the sport was on ITV, several advert breaks would split up the races, causing viewers to miss some crucial moments. I am sure we all remember the frustration felt when that happened!
Channel 4 has promised races will be uninterrupted by commercial breaks and this is great news. There were fears that if ITV picked up the rights once again, adverts would reappear. It is good to see Channel 4’s early commitment to commercial-free live race broadcasts.
4. New talent
There has been a fair bit of speculation over Channel 4’s presenting team and that will only increase over the next month or so, before an announcement is made. But a new channel also means a fresh mix of people - we could well see Channel 4 using some in-house talent, as well as new ex-drivers joining as pundits.
Many of those who worked on coverage for the BBC were not exclusive to the channel and could well switch over. I really enjoyed the combination of Ben Edwards and David Coulthard in the commentary booth, so I wouldn’t mind if both moved across.
The most interesting aspect for me is the pundits. Coulthard does a good job but it would be good to see someone with more recent F1 driving experience join the team, like Mark Webber or even Susie Wolff. We will see though.
5. Additional content
As mentioned previously, Channel 4 was keen to introduce much more extra programming outside of race weekends when it tried to get F1 rights back in 2011. It certainly has enough channels and spaces to fit in more F1-related shows, just stop repeating Come Dine With Me a few times a week.
BBC had more limited space and didn’t seem keen to produce as many extra programmes and put them on other channels. This is something Channel 4 pushed before, with more broadcasting of historical footage, factual programming and documentary-style shows. Hopefully their vision hasn’t changed.
With Sky Sports F1 struggling to create the content it once did, due to budget constraints, Channel 4 would be smart to produce more F1 content and distribute it on more of its free-to-air outlets. You can only watch a repeated interview with an ex-F1 driver on Sky Sports F1 so many times…
What do you think of F1 moving to Channel 4? Let me know on
1 comment:
If Chanel 4 can produce what it say then I will be one of there supporters, we need more outside programs, we got to much "East Enders/Cori/Come Dance With Me/etc.etc I would love to watch documentaries on the the Factories/Building the cars/life on the Factory floor/a day with Williams, I think you got the idea. There is enough content in F1 to have weekly programs but it would also be nice if Chanel 4 had ALL races LIVE. Thanks for reading this.R.Dove Cornwall
Post a Comment