How long before.....

[dougc]

we lose F1 coverage from 'normal' TV and it goes the same way as the Football/Rugby/Cricket and ends up in Rupert Murdochs portfolio? The appearance of Lewis Hamilton as a seriuosly handy driver and a (I don't think I'm overstepping the mark here) potential World Champion in the next couple of seasons if he/the team carry on like this has stoked up a lot more interest than has been seen in the last 10 years. Big new following = potential huge income from pay-per-view coverage...

Is RM sitting rubbing his hands waiting for the ITV contract to finish?

[Scuffers]

dougc said:

we lose F1 coverage from 'normal' TV and it goes the same way as the Football/Rugby/Cricket and ends up in Rupert Murdochs portfolio? The appearance of Lewis Hamilton as a seriuosly handy driver and a (I don't think I'm overstepping the mark here) potential World Champion in the next couple of seasons if he/the team carry on like this has stoked up a lot more interest than has been seen in the last 10 years. Big new following = potential huge income from pay-per-view coverage...

Is RM sitting rubbing his hands waiting for the ITV contract to finish?

won't happen.

AFAIK, F1 is on the list of sports in the public interest, ie. can't move to subscription.

Sky tried the multi-screen package a couple of years back (Bernie's digital TV) but it just did not work out financially - shame really as it was good for the Geeks amongst us...

[FourWheelDrift]

I don't care if Murdoch gets it I want quality coverage. What Sky can do is give it proper live airtime. No shunting to obscure nightly slots or part broadcasts having to cut away at the last moment so that the plebs can get their nightly fix of Coronationenders Farm and no braindead commentators or anchormen.

See what Sky in Italy provide - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[anonymous-user]

given that sky sports have completely revolutionised the television coverage of football with massive amounts of in depth analysis, weekend preview/review shows and through the "red button" player specific cameras, fans commentary etc, i can only hope and pray that they get F1 soon too!

[belleair302]

I think that HD will dictate where F1 goes....ITV may well keep covergae, but Sky will also show 'select' races with split screens, trackside data etc. It all boils down to manufacturers demands, sponsor ad rates and Bernie talking honestly to Murdoch Junior!!! Senior has no time for him, as bernie does not really grasp multichannel TV, web, HD or any other form of technology.

[Eric Mc]

"Bernie talks honestly".

An oxymoron I suggest.

[belleair302]

I agree but he knows when market forces will make him move. bernie is a survivor and will deal before his bluff is called.

[deevlash]

The teams wont go for it, the viewer numbers would be awful compared to terrestrial and theres not as many casual F1 fans as football fans willing to switch specifically for F1 so theres not as much to gain for Sky. Although the lewis factor might change that I think Bernie stated previously that he preferred terrestrial, but then again that could be taken with a pinch of salt.

[belleair302]

I agree but I believe he will do a deal which allows both digital carriers in 2010 or whenever to split signals and allow one to have HD F1 with the bells and whistles ofr a fee and the other ITV or BBC to carry a vailla offering, ie what we have now. There is also room for more in depth coverage, a more behind the scenes lifestyle look and some historic (ESPN Classic) stuff too. Bernie needs to release more post 1982/3 footage for less money.