SKY F1 Viewing figures

[RicksAlfas]

I'm not even sure how relevant "live" viewing figures are these days. The advent of PVRs (in whatever guise) mean fewer and fewer people sit down at a designated time to watch a specific programme. Favourite programmes are series linked and people watch them when it's convenient to them, not when the TV schedule demands.

[NickVyse]

IMO I think sky are probably doing a better job, just. However, I was expecting it to be pretty amazing, which it certainly isn't. Once the race gets under way, and if you don't play with the red button gadgets (not tried yet as I've not watched it live and not sure I could be bothered anyway), there's virtually no difference to the BBC.

Naively I had hoped for clever onboard shots, just look at what they can achieve with the dull as dishwater Oz V8 racing, but it's the same old picture feed from Bernie.

[B Huey]

Bluequay said:

Dubai said:

Naff comment imo.

F1 has a global audience of 500-550m, do you really think 2m viewers from the UK will cause a sponsor to cut budgets? No.

Aren't they Bernie's claimed figures and widely regarded to be bullst, with everybody watching anything F1 counted as a viewer everytime they watch something.
So if you watch Qualifying the race and the highlights for Australia you are 3 viewers, do this for the whole season and you are 48 viewers!!

Yes, even if you have just seen a clip on the news you are counted as a viewer.

Their was an interesting feature on Radio 4 re. global viewing figures. The (genuinely) most watched event in history was the starting ceremony for the Beijing Olympics, that had 300 million viewers.

[B Huey]

It may not be a popular view but given the BBC needs to save a fortune it should stop spunking big money on sport.

Let it all go to Sky or wherever.

I, for one, never watch it.

[P-Jay]

poing said:

P-Jay said:

The most telling figures will be for the China race. How many of those Sky viewers will they keep on a like-for-like live race basis.

Like others here I much prefer the Sky coverage to the BBC.

I had a choice this week, record it on Sky or BBC. I picked Sky.

2 reasons:

1. The coverage is better overall.

2. The most important part for me, it won't change to BBC2 if it runs late, or a politician says something rude, or a footballer chips a nail. Lost count of how many times it changed to BBC2, especially because I'm in Scotland so it happened even more than in England. With Sky it will stay on it's own channel the entire time and as the last race proved, it can run as late as it likes without upsetting all the people that need to watch repeats of the soaps!

I haven't decided which way I'll go yet, I've enjoyed the Sky coverage so far, my two favourite parts - the grid walk and the actual race are pretty much unchanged, the rest.... it's a little cheesy for my liking.

I suspect I'll watch the BBC pre-race, it's more relaxed, and I enjoy the EJ / DC show, Jake always good too. I might switch to Sky to actual race, I don't think DC is quite as good as MB.

I'm still waiting for when Jake and MB bump into each other on the grid.

And dare I say the F1 drivers and team bosses seems a little less inviting to MB now his Mic doesn't say 'BBC' on it.

[JonRB]

P-Jay said:

I'm still waiting for when Jake and MB bump into each other on the grid.

It has to happen at some point.

P-Jay said:

And dare I say the F1 drivers and team bosses seems a little less inviting to MB now his Mic doesn't say 'BBC' on it.

Yes, and no. Whilst 'BBC' does carry a lot of weight I think Brundle is well respected in the Paddock and that will open doors. Ok, he's not quite in the same league as EJ for that (nor does he have the brass face of him either) but it will help.

[voyds9]

The thing I miss from the BBC was knowing when it was on. Turn on BBC get an advert telling me time, channel and race. "Coverage from 6:30 on BBC2 the China grand prix"

Sky all you get is dedicated F1 channel, I then hunt for the channel number to look up race start time, agreed the coverage is watchable. "F1 now available in HD".

[JonRB]

voyds9 said:

The thing I miss from the BBC was knowing when it was on. Turn on BBC get an advert telling me time, channel and race. "Coverage from 6:30 on BBC2 the China grand prix"

Sky all you get is dedicated F1 channel, I then hunt for the channel number to look up race start time, agreed the coverage is watchable. "F1 now available in HD".

Go to the official F1 website at http://www.formula1.com for actual session times converted to your local time, including a countdown timer to the next session.

Obviously coverage times will be different but that will ensure you don't miss the race itself.

I also have the session times linked to my Google Calender which is pretty useful.

Edited by JonRB on Friday 13th April 14:26

[stuwalsh]

Not having Sky in any format at all I am not going to fund Murdoch's pot despite watching F1 sice the mid-60s. The first GP I saw was @ Aintree in 1962.

So how do I keep up to speed?


Simple, I stream Sky coverage off the internet in HD quality, plug my laptop into the TV and the only service I don't access is the red button.

Job done!

[Simpo Two]

stuwalsh said:

Simple, I stream Sky coverage off the internet in HD quality, plug my laptop into the TV and the only service I don't access is the red button.

I may be being naive but are you saying you can simply get paid-for Sky transmissions free off the net...?

[davepoth]

Simpo Two said:

I may be being naive but are you saying you can simply get paid-for Sky transmissions free off the net...?

I believe that is what he's saying, yes.

[944fan]

I was debating between watching the BBC coverage today or Sky and I noticed that BBC, even on HD, doesn't have surround sound. So I will stick with Sky

[weyland yutani]

I'd argue the HD picture didn't look quite as crisp on the BBC either.

[Lost_BMW]

Spiritual_Beggar said:

I much prefer the SKY coverage to the BBC at the moment.

The whole race weekend is covered in much more detail.

Have to agree - having been initially concerned I haven't watched BBC except once, after seeing the Sky broadcast to compare. Much prefer Sky and Brundle though wish Coulthard had gone with him. Love the build up shows/overall coverage and desperately want the Video controller Anthony Davidson uses!

[Simpo Two]

Just watched the BBC version. The commentary was adequate but not as good as previous years. Not sure who the main guy was but at times he sounded like a young enthusiastic Nicholas Parsons! I missed Martin Brundle's informed and wittily dry input.

[Rich_W]

stuwalsh said:

Not having Sky in any format at all I am not going to fund Murdoch's pot despite watching F1 sice the mid-60s. The first GP I saw was @ Aintree in 1962.

So how do I keep up to speed?


Simple, I stream Sky coverage off the internet in HD quality, plug my laptop into the TV and the only service I don't access is the red button.

Job done!

So you bleat on about Murdoch and how you won't line his pockets (presuably for your own ethical reasons) but see fit to STEAL from him? I guess you also like to loot Currys because they want a lot of money for a Panasonic Plasma Tv

Or maybe you're the guy that murders his girlfriend and her parents whilst they sleep and then gets sent to Prison. But feels the need to stab an Inmate Paedophile as it was a crime "against children"

Wow, your morale compass is properly fked.

[CatJ]

I too find it odd that people refuse point blank to pay for Sky, because of Murdoch's involvement, but yet it's OK to watch their coverage if they can blag it for free.

[anonymous-user]

CatJ said:

I too find it odd that people refuse point blank to pay for Sky, because of Murdoch's involvement, but yet it's OK to watch their coverage if they can blag it for free.

I used to be really idealistic and not have Sky, then I realised I was missing some great sport and TV

I am much happier now

[Meridius]

F1s boring, give me some rallying please.

[Lost_BMW]

stuwalsh said:

Not having Sky in any format at all I am not going to fund Murdoch's pot despite watching F1 sice the mid-60s. The first GP I saw was @ Aintree in 1962.

So how do I keep up to speed?


Simple, I stream Sky coverage off the internet in HD quality, plug my laptop into the TV and the only service I don't access is the red button.

Job done!

Could you please post your name and address so I can report you to the authorities, given that you are stealing from me and all the other subscribers as well as the demon Murdoch.

Do you refuse to shop in stores that sell anything 'unethical' too?

I bet you were cheering on the 'right on' looters fighting the evil capitalists and the system during the riots too. OK to steal, as long as it's from those you deem to be bad.