WRC TV coverage
Discussion
Does anyone else think that the ITV coverage of the WRC is less than good..? I really miss the programme that used to show on Ch4... Thing is, I know that I need to get some sort of freeview or sky package ( Still in the dark ages with 4 channels here- or 3.5 depending on reception), but which option has the best programmes for the Rally..? Any sign of Penny Mallory or Robbie Head..???Any recommendations...?
Morty said:
Thing is, I know that I need to get some sort of freeview or sky package
Freeview won't get you any extra motorsport; anything good costs more £. I tried Freeview for a while but the only thing different from ordinary TV was Channel 12: UKTV History, and trying to record it blew my head up (three products and two sockets) (plus they have an infuriating habit of stringing every episode of a series together) so the box is now in the attic doing nothing. Digital schmigital.
Morty said:
So, it's sky then. Just as I feared.. My sitting room already looks like a branch of Dixons, now I can enhance the exterior as well..! Simpo two,have you got Sky now instead..?
Most certainly not. I'd rather stare at the wall* than pay more cash on top of the licence fee. Either/Or, but not both!
* or surf PH - which I'm currently doing as the final of Restoration was pissing me off. Sod TV, I have the internet :-)
sstein said:
Presumably ITV paid a not unsubstantial amount of money to get the WRC coverage, then dont show it!?
Only time I have seen it on air has been late at night, and even then the coverage is awful. Channel 4s was better, although not by much.
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Stuart
Only time I have seen it on air has been late at night, and even then the coverage is awful. Channel 4s was better, although not by much.
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Stuart
Channel 4 had a very large amount of money to throw at it. ITV haven't. In fact, the budgets have been squashed very tight over the last couple of years as the sport is getting rather expensive of late. This isn't the fault of ITV or the company that produces the programming.
The core personnel haven't changed though, the stage cameramen are the same guys year in year out. They're the best in the business.
I'm so glad I'm not alone in thinking that WRC coverage hit rock bottom the day ITV got the contract to screen it. The Channel 4 coverage was much more dynamic ~ made you feel more involved, and was less mainstream in the way it's presented (sometimes feels a bit 'Janet and John do WRC' on ITV).
I'm also gutted that they shove it where they have got spare time in the listings. I notice that F1 (driving round in circles IMHO) gets a whole afternoon devoted to it, whereas we just end up with the witching hour (unless there's no other sport on in the afternoon, at which point they'll begrudingly let us have an hour). Give it back to C4 ~ at least they knew what to do with it!
I'm also gutted that they shove it where they have got spare time in the listings. I notice that F1 (driving round in circles IMHO) gets a whole afternoon devoted to it, whereas we just end up with the witching hour (unless there's no other sport on in the afternoon, at which point they'll begrudingly let us have an hour). Give it back to C4 ~ at least they knew what to do with it!
i think people are forgetting just how bad C4's coverage of the WRC was towards the end.
they started off with a great program, which, just like ITV ended up, being broadcast at all sorts of funny hours, and C4 towards the end, you never even knew which day it was coming on, and was sometimes weeks later than the rally.
it just annoys me that argueably the most exicting form of motorsport is relegated to an hour for a whole event, thats broadcast in the small hours.
they started off with a great program, which, just like ITV ended up, being broadcast at all sorts of funny hours, and C4 towards the end, you never even knew which day it was coming on, and was sometimes weeks later than the rally.
it just annoys me that argueably the most exicting form of motorsport is relegated to an hour for a whole event, thats broadcast in the small hours.
i watched wrc shakedown on men and motors yesterday, which i thought was quite good in a magazine/lifestyle sort of way - however i particularly liked the presenter, i thought he was very funny.
however the rest of the coverage is ok, or at least it would be if it was on at a decent time - but as said earlier, you can blame the lack of a front running british driver for that..
however the rest of the coverage is ok, or at least it would be if it was on at a decent time - but as said earlier, you can blame the lack of a front running british driver for that..
From what I've seen this year Eurosport's coverage is no different to ITV's, just on more often.
You're right about C4's coverage, it started great but went downhill and David Richards pulled the plug for contract breaches IIRC. BBC weren't that much better, you had to wait a week for it to appear, although the standard was good.
But the real problem is the WRC itself, it's deeply in the doldrums with very little manufacturer support and even less competition right now. Rows over cost cutting rules have hardly aided its cause and even with the best programming and production, I doubt ITV would pick up many viewers right now.
You're right about C4's coverage, it started great but went downhill and David Richards pulled the plug for contract breaches IIRC. BBC weren't that much better, you had to wait a week for it to appear, although the standard was good.
But the real problem is the WRC itself, it's deeply in the doldrums with very little manufacturer support and even less competition right now. Rows over cost cutting rules have hardly aided its cause and even with the best programming and production, I doubt ITV would pick up many viewers right now.
wit.kevin ritson said:
But the real problem is the WRC itself, it's deeply in the doldrums with very little manufacturer support and even less competition right now. Rows over cost cutting rules have hardly aided its cause and even with the best programming and production, I doubt ITV would pick up many viewers right now.
The lack of manufacturer support is likely to be a problem, however, it's unlikely that manufacturers will be enticed back to the WRC when they're not getting the TV coverage that they'd expect for such an expensive sport. I suppose it's a vicious circle really, and the only solution I can see would involve the TV peeps, the FIA and the manufacturers sitting down together and agreeing to an all-parties deal.
I'm worried that if the participation of high-profile teams continues to decline, the telly folk may decide (on our behalf, and without consultation, as is typical for them) that people don't want to watch it, and therefore stop screening it. Now that really would be a tragedy.
stockhatcher said:
i watched wrc shakedown on men and motors yesterday, which i thought was quite good in a magazine/lifestyle sort of way - however i particularly liked the presenter, i thought he was very funny.
I enjoy that show too, but hardly see it as I never know when it is on.
At least 1 hour of rally coverage a day would be good (as per ch4). You just can't fit so many hours of motoring into 1 hour.
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