Not sure how I feel about this season ....
Discussion
Derek Smith said:
I've been following F1 since 1966. My main sport is rugby. I don't have Sky sports, but have BT for rugby.
Seeing F1 as highlights is what used to happen in the early days, and it kept my interest. It's no hardship going back to that. I've penciled in four races for NOW! this season. I'll cope. I've already got another hobby, and will be starting another in a month or two. Life doesn't end without F1. Odd though it seems, I was dreading this season. Now I think 'whatever'.
The point, I think, is how many others, in the homeland of F1, will think the same way?
Liberty Media really should be worried about this attitude spreading, but I'm not sure they are. They really dropped the ball with the F1TV offering last year & if they cock up again this year I'm not sure they'll get another chance. It's interesting that Premier Rugby decided that pay TV is not the way to go & they want to stay on terrestrial FTA.Seeing F1 as highlights is what used to happen in the early days, and it kept my interest. It's no hardship going back to that. I've penciled in four races for NOW! this season. I'll cope. I've already got another hobby, and will be starting another in a month or two. Life doesn't end without F1. Odd though it seems, I was dreading this season. Now I think 'whatever'.
The point, I think, is how many others, in the homeland of F1, will think the same way?
Given the complaints from the promotors & the difficulties Liberty have had in reforming the rules I wonder if Liberty will look to offload F1 if someone makes an offer? There have been rumours.
Only had time to watch a couple of the races live last year, there's far to many other things to be doing these days, as above I wait until the family stuff is done then watch when I can, even found myself fast forwarding through qualifying and parts of the races, it needs a bit more 'zing' , plus things like banning grid girls as they are 'bad' / objectify women, then getting to the US GP and Liberty rolling out the Cheer Leaders as they are OK
I do find it a great shame that so many people seem to have lost some love for F1.
I'm thoroughly looking forward to the season. I think the Sky coverage is excellent and happy to pay for it. I'm not interested in other sports and have invested most of my life into following F1 and I can't see my enthusiasm dwindling any time soon. I like that my son also shares my passion for it and he and I will be supping beers on many a spring and summer Sunday afternoon discussing the why's and wherefores of the race in hand.
I'm thoroughly looking forward to the season. I think the Sky coverage is excellent and happy to pay for it. I'm not interested in other sports and have invested most of my life into following F1 and I can't see my enthusiasm dwindling any time soon. I like that my son also shares my passion for it and he and I will be supping beers on many a spring and summer Sunday afternoon discussing the why's and wherefores of the race in hand.
Lost interest pretty much digitally when the hybrids arrived in 2013 having slogged to Spa - with unconvinced family in tow (2 cars) - to see the 'spectacle' of modern F1 live.
After the GP2's the main event was dull as f
k and I stopped going to races after 10 years of doing so.... I felt a bit of a fraud after the build up I'd given to get them all over there!
Then the reduced access via 'free TV' has sucked the rest of my enthusiasm away. I still watch some of the CH4 stuff and will continue to do that but essentially its over
Started going to BTCC and tbh .... it's better ! Cheaper: more 'basic' and closer to home.
After the GP2's the main event was dull as f
k and I stopped going to races after 10 years of doing so.... I felt a bit of a fraud after the build up I'd given to get them all over there!Then the reduced access via 'free TV' has sucked the rest of my enthusiasm away. I still watch some of the CH4 stuff and will continue to do that but essentially its over
Started going to BTCC and tbh .... it's better ! Cheaper: more 'basic' and closer to home.
Mr Pointy said:
Liberty Media really should be worried about this attitude [mine, not quoted] spreading, but I'm not sure they are. They really dropped the ball with the F1TV offering last year & if they cock up again this year I'm not sure they'll get another chance. It's interesting that Premier Rugby decided that pay TV is not the way to go & they want to stay on terrestrial FTA.
Given the complaints from the promotors & the difficulties Liberty have had in reforming the rules I wonder if Liberty will look to offload F1 if someone makes an offer? There have been rumours.
I used to watch with a varying sized group of mates. We'd go to various houses and take food and others would take beer. This started in '86, built up towards 2000 and gradually dropped to perhaps two or three. Last season I was on my own for most races, although four of us met up for Silverstone. Odd, really, and most would go to the circuit and there would be just three or four left to view it at home in the 'old days'. I still get texts from the old guys, and one girl, but normally just asking for updates during the race.Given the complaints from the promotors & the difficulties Liberty have had in reforming the rules I wonder if Liberty will look to offload F1 if someone makes an offer? There have been rumours.
I'm off to see British GT and Blancpain this season. I'll also go to some historics, including Silverstone, and Goodwood.
As you say, there have been some rumours about Liberty getting a bit concerned.
The odd thing is that the last few seasons of F1 have been tremendous. OK, so 2018 ended a bit early for the WDC, but there were some memorable races.
I'll still watch the highlights. Mind you, I watched the highlights when I'd seen the race live. I'll Now TV four or so races.
I want the enthusiasm to return but somehow I seem to doubt it. A few races live will probably be enough. All rather sad.
Derek Smith said:
I used to watch with a varying sized group of mates. We'd go to various houses and take food and others would take beer. This started in '86, built up towards 2000 and gradually dropped to perhaps two or three. Last season I was on my own for most races, although four of us met up for Silverstone. Odd, really, and most would go to the circuit and there would be just three or four left to view it at home in the 'old days'. I still get texts from the old guys, and one girl, but normally just asking for updates during the race.
I'm off to see British GT and Blancpain this season. I'll also go to some historics, including Silverstone, and Goodwood.
As you say, there have been some rumours about Liberty getting a bit concerned.
The odd thing is that the last few seasons of F1 have been tremendous. OK, so 2018 ended a bit early for the WDC, but there were some memorable races.
I'll still watch the highlights. Mind you, I watched the highlights when I'd seen the race live. I'll Now TV four or so races.
I want the enthusiasm to return but somehow I seem to doubt it. A few races live will probably be enough. All rather sad.
The good races and seasons seem to happen in spite of of all the changing crap for the sake of it, not because of it. The atmosphere before and after the races, both on TV coverage and at the circuit, seems more desperate and false than ever, and attempting to diminish the race to something that happens between media and social rubbish. There's a subconscious feeling of trying too hard.I'm off to see British GT and Blancpain this season. I'll also go to some historics, including Silverstone, and Goodwood.
As you say, there have been some rumours about Liberty getting a bit concerned.
The odd thing is that the last few seasons of F1 have been tremendous. OK, so 2018 ended a bit early for the WDC, but there were some memorable races.
I'll still watch the highlights. Mind you, I watched the highlights when I'd seen the race live. I'll Now TV four or so races.
I want the enthusiasm to return but somehow I seem to doubt it. A few races live will probably be enough. All rather sad.
I used to watch 1 or 1/12 hours before and after races, now I will turn on at 10 minutes past the hour, or even during the formation lap.
I think there are numerous reasons for some long term F1 fans losing interest.
the obvious are the spectacle, the noise, the poor racing, the expense and the lack of action.
But the others are social media, other sports doing a better job.
I have never been to an F1 race, the last time I went was 2000 for qualifying, it was a freebie and I was bored rigid.
I learned a long, long time ago that there are tens more series that offer better racing, access, value, action, spectacle than F1.
Sadly a lot of motrosport fans only rotate to F1, for some that's enough, but for me and it seems a lot more, it just isn't anymore.
And believe me once you leave, you will never look back!
the obvious are the spectacle, the noise, the poor racing, the expense and the lack of action.
But the others are social media, other sports doing a better job.
I have never been to an F1 race, the last time I went was 2000 for qualifying, it was a freebie and I was bored rigid.
I learned a long, long time ago that there are tens more series that offer better racing, access, value, action, spectacle than F1.
Sadly a lot of motrosport fans only rotate to F1, for some that's enough, but for me and it seems a lot more, it just isn't anymore.
And believe me once you leave, you will never look back!
I've been watching F1 since the mid-60s, and still do - but I'm never going to pay Sky for it! I'm quite happy with the C4 highlights - so long as I can avoid the result before I've watched it.
I'll watch any motorsport I can find - I always have. I seem to remember watching Short Circuit racing in the 70s - Hot Rods, Caravan bangers, etc. Then back in the late 90s when I had cable I used to watch NASCAR (Eurosport I think).
Now I just stick to F1, MotoGP, BSB & WSB highlights. Plus the BTCC, but I record that as the support races just don't do it for me - I've never been a fan of one make racing.
I'll keep going to some Club meets as well.
I'll watch any motorsport I can find - I always have. I seem to remember watching Short Circuit racing in the 70s - Hot Rods, Caravan bangers, etc. Then back in the late 90s when I had cable I used to watch NASCAR (Eurosport I think).
Now I just stick to F1, MotoGP, BSB & WSB highlights. Plus the BTCC, but I record that as the support races just don't do it for me - I've never been a fan of one make racing.
I'll keep going to some Club meets as well.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Quite right StevieBee, I’m sure there are lots more of us fans out there, we just don’t take to the internet to complain about something we like.
F1 is an odd one. Folk love to moan about it, saying things like "its really boring, I havent watched it for years"
How do you know its boring if you havent watched it for years?!
There are different ways of "watching" F1. Die hard fans will want to watch all races live. Less die hard fans will mix and match between live and highlights. Some will watch only highlights and some will follow through reading or watching race reports. They are all following F1 but in many different ways.
I plan to use Radio 5 for live coverage this year. I have a good imagination and know what the circuits are like so and can visualise what is happening (or not happenings as may be the case in some races).
I plan to use Radio 5 for live coverage this year. I have a good imagination and know what the circuits are like so and can visualise what is happening (or not happenings as may be the case in some races).
DoubleD said:
F1 is an odd one. Folk love to moan about it, saying things like
"its really boring, I havent watched it for years"
How do you know its boring if you havent watched it for years?!
Completely agree."its really boring, I havent watched it for years"
How do you know its boring if you havent watched it for years?!
I'm very much looking forward to this year!
There was plenty of action last year, I'm quite confused why people are saying there wasn't. And for the others that say 'X motorsport is better', it's possible to watch and enjoy multiple forms of motorsport and enjoy them for what they are. I like MotoGP, WRC, Le Mans and some BTCC. They all have their pros and cons.
Daston said:
I am seriously thinking of canning my Sky package as I tend to use Netflix and Prime more.
Things I watch on Sky:
Game of Thrones (finishes this year)
F1 (losing interest)
Le Mans (I believe Amazon now show this too)
All available on the internet. Just get rid of Sky. Get a phone/tablet or laptop and a connection from that to your TV (whatever to HDMI). Google is your friend as to how to find the content to save me from getting banned for suggesting it. If you can't be arsed connecting to the TV, just watch it on your device instead.Things I watch on Sky:
Game of Thrones (finishes this year)
F1 (losing interest)
Le Mans (I believe Amazon now show this too)
Sky win because people want the convenience and traditional mindset of people sitting on their arse with the remote.
The internet way requires minimally more effort but if you really want to watch something, it's a piece of piss to do so.
I am excited for the season's start and I will be watching, probably via a combination of NowTV passes, my mate's Sky go login and C4 highlights depending on whether I'm at home or not.
I'm disappointed in the defectors to be honest, particularly as a significant proportion of these grumps will turn up and darken the race threads despite their instance that F1 was better in their day.
I thought last season was great and I think this season could well be better.
I'm disappointed in the defectors to be honest, particularly as a significant proportion of these grumps will turn up and darken the race threads despite their instance that F1 was better in their day.
I thought last season was great and I think this season could well be better.
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