SPEED TV Formula 1 coverage in the United States [merged]

Good thing the alternative these days isn't nothing.

Yea but the alternative doesn't permit live viewing? Or does it?

I can tape delay BBC, but I'd rather watch live.

Good thing the alternative these days isn't nothing.

Peter Windsor was terrible. I hope he never comes the the USA again. Considering the carnage and unpaid bills he left in his wake I wouldn't doubt if he skipped the Austin race.

Not trying to be a smart ass here, but really? I did not realize that there was an other free to air broadcast of F1 available in my part of the United States? Yes, there are other sources for information/viewing available to US fans today thanks to the advent of technology, but when it comes to free TV, Speed is it. Take it or leave it.

As MightyMouse said, I know I can locate a BBC feed online (illegally) and stream it through my iMac which is wired into my 60" plasma, but is it really worth all of that effort? I have done it a few times and the quality of the feed has not been all that great compared to the HD feed from Speed.

I thought this discussion was about Speed and their quality of coverage of free to air racing. I was merely pointing out that while being far from perfect, it is a hell of allot better than what was available only a few years ago.

Is SPEED really free to air in your area? Our local (national) conglomerate, Comcast, requires that you buy a premium sports package (it's only an extra 5 dollars a month), in order to watch Speed. The thing is, I've had this for years, and have looked at alternatives.

The streaming quality is usually quite terrible, yes. But if you don't have to watch it live, the bbc provides a much better broadcasting package, and you can even get it in HD.

If you look back on my posts in this thread, you will see that I did discuss the quality of Speed coverage, and my opinions on it. The BBC comparison can be used as a model for what we would like to see and what we would not like to see.

Speed, on Comcast, has always been part of our basic cable package.

Edited by Seanspeed, 14 May 2011 - 11:53.

Edited by T-Mobile, 22 May 2011 - 13:07.

Edited by Bunchies, 22 May 2011 - 16:00.

Honestly, their work only deserves a patronizing glance and a shake of the head. It is simply AWFUL.

The BBC has a thread, and after today's Turkish Grand Prix I felt compelled to start a SPEED TV thread for us few US fans. While I have typically enjoyed Speed's Formula 1 coverage, some things are getting better while others aren't.

For one, there were way too many commercials. I believe there was one on lap 40-42, and then another one on lap 46. As luck would have it we also missed Webber's pass on Alonso. I read on another forum that FOM restricts picture-in-picture commercials similar to Indy Car, where you still see the race in the corner. Does anyone know about this?

Aside from that, the new graphics are atrocious. Here in the first year of high-definition F1, we have graphics so large that they cover the action on screen. During the parade lap, SPEED displays driver pictures and names showing their starting position. OK, but do these graphics have to take up nearly half of an HD picture? While there is not much action on a parade lap, I'd still like to be able to see the cars.

Of course, the fact that we only have Will Buxton on location is also problematic. It would be nice to have more on-location content. Then again, that probably just reflects F1's popularity in the US. I envy fans overseas who talk of watching F1 in a pub. The day I get to watch a GP during the evening at a pub while enjoying some hops is the day I die happy. I don't even have any friends remotely interested in F1. People give me blank stares when I speak of it.

As for the commentators, I don't really want to complain. Unless we know of people who would certainly be better, I am fine with Bob, David, and Steve.

...and if Will Buxton keeps saying 'unlucky' every time a driver retires I might just mute the TV.

Thoughts?

Edited by Sakae, 12 June 2011 - 18:53.

I do that too. The Speed announcers are unwatchable. The average fan at home can work out what's happening better than those three.

I knew the races on FOX were bad but this was shameful- the broadcast started after the cars had already taken off. They are going through the starting grid on the 3rd lap...no pre race at all. They didn't even show us the cars on the grid.

That's normal for Fox. At times there was a pre grid on Speed but not today. I am surprised that they are carrying it past the two hour time slot though some markets may have switched to local programming.

The only one there that I don't mind is David Hobbs. Bob varsha is always making idiotic comments not related to what's actually going on and still to this day can't pronounce Senna's name.

The best speed coverage is the on line practice sessions that they don't broadcast. There is no commentary, only the sound of the engines. Bliss.

Edited by bourbon, 14 June 2011 - 03:14.

Edited by alexocfp, 18 June 2011 - 04:16.

Edited by T-Mobile, 18 June 2011 - 23:07.

Using tape delay is ridiculous. There's just no reason for it... Wimbledon will be shown live here, as is every other European sporting event that finds it's way to network TV over here. The European season is great here on the east coast because an 8:00 race along with coffee and breakfast is a great way to start the day.

Now it's dead in the middle of the day and I have to avoid finding out the results. Damn you Fox!

The post before yours explains it perfectly.

...For example, most hotels DON'T carry the Speed Channel. So you're screwed if you're traveling. The one thing Bernie doesn't do well is TV.

Some millionaire(s) need to buy out the commercial time so we don't get interruptions.

Except that they're not building an audience - they'd have to actually promote the race with ad time to do that, and I've seen no evidence of that. Frankly, I think they'd have much better luck showing the races live in the morning rather than trying to compete head to head with NASCAR in the middle of the afternoon.

The numbers on Fox are typically twice to four times the numbers for Speed.

We have around 310 million people in the US and how many watch SPEED's F1 coverage? 300-600,000?

It actually felt strange for me to be watching a GP at a 'normal' hour like 2PM. I am kinda used to and expecting to be watching at odd hours. Though I do enjoy it..

Can someone, please, post the audio of it after the red flagged part?

I would love to listean to Bob and David comments

Using tape delay is ridiculous. There's just no reason for it... Wimbledon will be shown live here, as is every other European sporting event that finds it's way to network TV over here. The European season is great here on the east coast because an 8:00 race along with coffee and breakfast is a great way to start the day.

Now it's dead in the middle of the day and I have to avoid finding out the results. Damn you Fox!

Edited by alexocfp, 22 June 2011 - 03:21.

I depise watching tape delay Formula 1 races because once the race is over. ESPN will show who won the race and makes it impossible to enjoy the race good or bad. Can someone give me a link in my PM so I can watch the next race live instead of tape delay.

Edited by Watkins74, 22 June 2011 - 03:51.

Is it some kind of requirement that you watch ESPN the morning of the race? How about walking the dog? Cutting the grass? Having the Grand Slam breakfast at Denny's? You do have some control about what choices you make the morning of the race...don't you?

BTW - Go to the race thread on the day of the race and ask then for a link via PM and someone will help you. When it comes to sharing race links via PM's we are all brothers and sisters no matter what team or driver you support.

Well I like watching highlights from the night before and I don't have grass in front of the house. But the crazy part is I try to sleep late until 12pm, but I usually wake up around 8am for the morning of the race, Maybe it's a routine.

Does anybody have any links so I can watch the race lice from The US?