Watching F1 this year
Discussion
I'm not a Sky subscriber so I've investigated other means this year to watch F1 (in the UK... I appreciate licensing results in differing services depending on location).
Please feel free to add any means I've missed, or special offers that might help the PH collective save a bit of money on watching F1.
- F1TV is a non-starter unless you have a credit card issued in a country where it is available... I used a VPN when setting up my account but failed the CC check and even an e-mail to F1TV with a friend's address in Portugal didn't cut it.
- Now.TV monthly passes - Sky Sports (which includes F1). Currently a 3 month 25% discount if you enable by 2nd July. Price after discount is £25 per month for the first 3 months (auto-renews at £33.99/month if you don't cancel!) plus £3/month for HD, but you need to sort it out no later than 2nd July. So, you should be able to get the full set of fixtures for £75 in SD, £84 in HD. Bonus if you are into football as you get that too. Obviously requires a compatible "smart" device or computer. You can get mobile-only passes for £5.99/month, and day-passes for £9.99 if you only want to watch some of the races.
- RTL - Free in SD. RTL is available on some satellite installations. Not HD, commentary in German. I've heard that some people mute it and listen to BBC Radio 5-live to get commentary. HD is available if you buy a viewing card online.
Please feel free to add any means I've missed, or special offers that might help the PH collective save a bit of money on watching F1.
- F1TV is a non-starter unless you have a credit card issued in a country where it is available... I used a VPN when setting up my account but failed the CC check and even an e-mail to F1TV with a friend's address in Portugal didn't cut it.
- Now.TV monthly passes - Sky Sports (which includes F1). Currently a 3 month 25% discount if you enable by 2nd July. Price after discount is £25 per month for the first 3 months (auto-renews at £33.99/month if you don't cancel!) plus £3/month for HD, but you need to sort it out no later than 2nd July. So, you should be able to get the full set of fixtures for £75 in SD, £84 in HD. Bonus if you are into football as you get that too. Obviously requires a compatible "smart" device or computer. You can get mobile-only passes for £5.99/month, and day-passes for £9.99 if you only want to watch some of the races.
- RTL - Free in SD. RTL is available on some satellite installations. Not HD, commentary in German. I've heard that some people mute it and listen to BBC Radio 5-live to get commentary. HD is available if you buy a viewing card online.
I've always either found a dodgy streaming site or gone to the pub. But I think this year since I'm so desperate to watch some F1 I'll be doing that 3 month Now TV deal considering it will cover the entire season (That has so far been confirmed).
As long as I can watch it on me xbox one I'll be happy as a pig in s
t 
As long as I can watch it on me xbox one I'll be happy as a pig in s
t I've noticed Sky are offering the F1 channel (in HD) for £10 a month on a 31 day rolling contract for existing Sky customers. Has anyone done this and are there any downsides? For Sky it seems unusually generous that you're not tied in for more than a month.
We're running our 18 month contract down to leave Sky entirely early next year, but as far as I can tell adding F1 won't make any difference to that.
We're running our 18 month contract down to leave Sky entirely early next year, but as far as I can tell adding F1 won't make any difference to that.
ukaskew said:
I've noticed Sky are offering the F1 channel (in HD) for £10 a month on a 31 day rolling contract for existing Sky customers. Has anyone done this and are there any downsides? For Sky it seems unusually generous that you're not tied in for more than a month.
We're running our 18 month contract down to leave Sky entirely early next year, but as far as I can tell adding F1 won't make any difference to that.
Thanks for sharing this, I was about to get a now TV pass before seeing thisWe're running our 18 month contract down to leave Sky entirely early next year, but as far as I can tell adding F1 won't make any difference to that.
poosemon said:
Worth pointing out that the NowTV package only covers when the race is been broadcast on the sky f1 channel. You can't use it like a catchup service.
I am unsure of how many times it repeats on the same day after the live race?
Highlights at 6pm and full re-run at 9pm by the looks of things. As I have a young child I've opted for the £10 Sky option instead so I can watch as and when I can and pause as necessary.I am unsure of how many times it repeats on the same day after the live race?
ukaskew said:
Highlights at 6pm and full re-run at 9pm by the looks of things. As I have a young child I've opted for the £10 Sky option instead so I can watch as and when I can and pause as necessary.
Annoying thing is with that I'd need the basic sky package too..... So as with now tv they'll show a full replay at 9pm?
That's what I'll have to do as i'll be busy
ukaskew said:
I've noticed Sky are offering the F1 channel (in HD) for £10 a month on a 31 day rolling contract for existing Sky customers. Has anyone done this and are there any downsides? For Sky it seems unusually generous that you're not tied in for more than a month.
We're running our 18 month contract down to leave Sky entirely early next year, but as far as I can tell adding F1 won't make any difference to that.
Arse Too late for me. We're running our 18 month contract down to leave Sky entirely early next year, but as far as I can tell adding F1 won't make any difference to that.
I re-joined SKY last year for F1 but had to signup to an 18 month full sports package.
All the soccerball, golf and cycling etc. I'll never watch
Ok so without the 25% discount for now tv that only lasts 3 months anyway it would only cost £1 extra to get the basic sky tv package with the discounted £10 a month F1 channel compared to now tv which you can't record races on.
As long as the f1 channel stays £10 per month for the entire season I think I'll be doing that.
Never been a sky customer before...
As long as the f1 channel stays £10 per month for the entire season I think I'll be doing that.
Never been a sky customer before...
Danez said:
Ok so without the 25% discount for now tv that only lasts 3 months anyway it would only cost £1 extra to get the basic sky tv package with the discounted £10 a month F1 channel compared to now tv which you can't record races on.
As long as the f1 channel stays £10 per month for the entire season I think I'll be doing that.
Never been a sky customer before...
It's a good point, with the discounted Sky deal it does look basically the same price and of course you get Sky's other basic channels and content.As long as the f1 channel stays £10 per month for the entire season I think I'll be doing that.
Never been a sky customer before...
Does that factor in cost of the box and whatever setup they charge these days? From memory those charges can normally reduced/removed if you haggle though.
TheDeuce said:
It's a good point, with the discounted Sky deal it does look basically the same price and of course you get Sky's other basic channels and content.
Does that factor in cost of the box and whatever setup they charge these days? From memory those charges can normally reduced/removed if you haggle though.
Ah yeah forgot about that- it's a one off £20 fee which isn't too bad Does that factor in cost of the box and whatever setup they charge these days? From memory those charges can normally reduced/removed if you haggle though.
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