97 replies to this topic

[Les]

I'm enjoying this channel a great deal. The thing is they have so much time to fill on the channel I would have liked to have seen longer versions of the legends interviews with Stewart and Fittipaldi the shows could have been easily four times as long at least and probably even then would have only scratched the surface.

I can hear what people are saying about younger fans. I'm probably on the younger scale of interest for TNF at 31 but its baffling to me too to see the lack of interest in motorsport histroy (off-topic its the same in music as that's something that younger folk don't have much interest in). I'm not a fan of the if it didn't happen last week then it isn't relevant opinion but that's what modern society seem to believe for whatever reason. Also off-topic but Helen Stewart in her day

Edited by Les, 12 March 2012 - 22:31.

[Stephen W]

I was told by a friend that they showed the whole of the 1969 British Grand Prix. Did anyone watch it?

Yes, I did for one, that almost race long Rindt/Stewart battle was a classic, one of the greatest races I'd seen, though I have absolutely no recollection at all of what was going on down the field.

I think you had to be there as the Rindt/JYS battle was covered exclusively.

Yes, I watched it live from on top of the pits!

Yes, from the Stow grandstand!

Yes, from the Woodcote grandstand.

[Mark 13]

That idea would appeal to our Government as a new tax. If they introduced it they'd need a catchy name though, how about 'TV licence' ?

They expect to pay that. It is paying monthly for a specific package that they cannot get their heads around.

[David McKinney]

I have no problem with the concept of paying for a monthly package on top of my TV licence - I already do (to Sir Richard Branson). But it has to be worth the outlay, and - as I keep saying - 2012 effone isn't, to me

[Stephen W]

I suppose I am an old fuddy-duddy but I cannot see any value in any SKY package. If, like me, the only thing you would really want is motor racing it is rather expensive and you get lumbered with lots of unwanted crap!

[Allan Lupton]

I have no problem with the concept of paying for a monthly package on top of my TV licence - I already do (to Sir Richard Branson). But it has to be worth the outlay, and - as I keep saying - 2012 effone isn't, to me

Branson's company has sent me an unsolicited advertising item in the post more or less every week since I moved house 2½ years ago - you would think even the work-experience child who sends them out would twig that anyone who thought it a good deal would have signed up in that time. The "packages" are clearly meant to appeal to games enthusiasts and people who call films "movies" (I'd hope they offered "talkies") but do not seem to offer telephone or internet connection tariffs that appeal cf. other companies' offers.

[kayemod]

Branson's company has sent me an unsolicited advertising item in the post more or less every week since I moved house 2½ years ago - you would think even the work-experience child who sends them out would twig that anyone who thought it a good deal would have signed up in that time.

I'm pretty sure that those unsolicited advertising items go out indiscriminately to every house in the road. I've been with Virgin, though phone & broadband only for years, and I seem to get just as many from them as you do.

[nicanary]

I suppose I am an old fuddy-duddy but I cannot see any value in any SKY package. If, like me, the only thing you would really want is motor racing it is rather expensive and you get lumbered with lots of unwanted crap!

And crap it is indeed ,sir. My daughter persuaded me to enter the modern world with the full package. Admittedly I can now see Test matches live, but apart from that there's nothing of any remote interest.

I realise that it's a case of "one man's meat" etc., but there are about 900 channels, and some days I can't find a single thing worth watching. Don't waste your money on supporting this "barrow-boy" - (this designation is purely that of this author, and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the website organisers)!

[David Beard]

I'm pretty sure that those unsolicited advertising items go out indiscriminately to every house in the road. I've been with Virgin, though phone & broadband only for years, and I seem to get just as many from them as you do.

The other day some junk mail was pushed though our door, trying to sell us a stair lift. Aside from the fact that we are both healthy enough not to need one, we live in a bungalow!

[Vitesse2]

The other day some junk mail was pushed though our door, trying to sell us a stair lift. Aside from the fact that we are both healthy enough not to need one, we live in a bungalow!

I get 'em for conservatories. Not really a practical proposition in a first floor flat

[man]

I would strongly consider purchasing SKy if the F1 channel would rebroadcast old F1 races from the 1960's to early 1990's in full. I don't mean stuff from Duke or other such companies which have produced films/documentary type reviews but rather material as broadcasted from the time - and the main thing must be that they dono simply show the same old Senna/Prost/Schumacher races that BBC Classic seemed so obsessed with. Surely they can afford access to Bernie's archive plus are capable of obtaining material from other TV channels around the world.

[David McKinney]

About a year ago I saw a "No Junk Mail Please" sign in a stationers' and thought, although it might not have worked, it was worth a try. Since then instead of perhaps ten items a week I've had a total of just one. I happened to be near the door at the time and hailed the delivery chap, who informed me that Ikea had instructed its deliverers to ignore such signs....

Branson's company has sent me an unsolicited advertising item in the post more or less every week since I moved house 2½ years ago - you would think even the work-experience child who sends them out would twig that anyone who thought it a good deal would have signed up in that time. The "packages" are clearly meant to appeal to games enthusiasts and people who call films "movies" (I'd hope they offered "talkies") but do not seem to offer telephone or internet connection tariffs that appeal cf. other companies' offers.

When cable came to my street (a dozen years ago?) the local company - now, after several changes, Virgin Media - offered me a deal for phone, TV and unlimited broadband for a much lower price than I could get BT. I suspected it might be like an energy company ploy, where they offer you a much cheaper rate than you're paying, then after six months whack the price up to more than you'd been paying previously, but it's stayed competitive. Certainly less than offers I've seen from BT or Sky

[D.M.N.]

I would strongly consider purchasing SKy if the F1 channel would rebroadcast old F1 races from the 1960's to early 1990's in full. I don't mean stuff from Duke or other such companies which have produced films/documentary type reviews but rather material as broadcasted from the time - and the main thing must be that they dono simply show the same old Senna/Prost/Schumacher races that BBC Classic seemed so obsessed with. Surely they can afford access to Bernie's archive plus are capable of obtaining material from other TV channels around the world.

They will be once they've finished showing the season reviews.

[Nigel Beresford]

They will be once they've finished showing the season reviews.

Speaking of Season Reviews (and I know this is hardly nostalgia), but the in-depth reviews they are showing of the 2011 season are excellent, with candid excerpts of radio exchanges and in-garage and pit stand dramas that undermine the image of todays drivers as media robots. For example Hamilton's mid race assessment of Schumacher at Monaco as a "dirty driver" gives you a taste of the kind of thing I'm on about. It's anything but a re-hash of the FOM stuff transmitted by the BBC last year.

I understand and respect that this coverage isn't within everyone's means, and I despise Murdoch as much as anyone, but I'm not going to cut off my nose to spite my face if I don't have to. I also understand that contemporary F1 isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Anyway, back to the nostalgia....

Edited by Nigel Beresford, 15 March 2012 - 21:06.

[Doug Nye]

Being slow on the uptake, am I right in the sudden realisation that The Dunnunder Grand Prix is going to be shown live ONLY on the Dirty Digger's channel, and not at all on the Beeb? They are instead only showing edited highlights?

If that's the case, my level of interest - and resistance to blackmail - is such that I'll cheerfully pass on the live coverage this year and instead eagerly await the Beeb's highlights.

Whoopeee, more sack time.

DCN

[arttidesco]

They expect to pay that. It is paying monthly for a specific package that they cannot get their heads around.

I gave up with the TV and the TV License in 1989 in an ongoing one man protest against the inanity of most of the medium and the way things are going I do not expect to pay for a TV or TV license ever again, as for the idea of paying for have the stuff piped in or a subscription

If I'm desperate I can usually find a pub to go and watch a race but it's amazing how soon the novelty wears off.

[LittleChris]

Being slow on the uptake, am I right in the sudden realisation that The Dunnunder Grand Prix is going to be shown live ONLY on the Dirty Digger's channel, and not at all on the Beeb? They are instead only showing edited highlights?

If that's the case, my level of interest - and resistance to blackmail - is such that I'll cheerfully pass on the live coverage this year and instead eagerly await the Beeb's highlights.

Whoopeee, more sack time.

DCN

Correct Doug. See post 26 for the BBC live shows. Even though the BBC are showing them live, you may want to have a lie in on 15th April and 14th October !!

[Vitesse2]

Being slow on the uptake, am I right in the sudden realisation that The Dunnunder Grand Prix is going to be shown live ONLY on the Dirty Digger's channel, and not at all on the Beeb? They are instead only showing edited highlights?

If that's the case, my level of interest - and resistance to blackmail - is such that I'll cheerfully pass on the live coverage this year and instead eagerly await the Beeb's highlights.

Whoopeee, more sack time.

DCN

I was under the impression you already had Sky for the cricket, Doug? If that's so - or even if you have just Sky HD - then you will find Sky F1 nestling on channel 408 ...

[ryan86]

BBC Radio still holds live rights, so you can still listen live on Channel 706 (Freeview) with the two JA's, James Allen and Jaime Alguersuari (youngest GP pundit ever?). I've never been particularly sure motor racing works that well on radio, but I'll give it a go this weekend.

[BRG]

BBC Radio still holds live rights, so you can still listen live on Channel 706 (Freeview) with the two JA's, James Allen and Jaime Alguersuari (youngest GP pundit ever?).

Whoopee! Failed TV commentator and failed F1 driver - a killer combination.

[Doug Nye]

I was under the impression you already had Sky for the cricket, Doug? If that's so - or even if you have just Sky HD - then you will find Sky F1 nestling on channel 408 ...

Even more confused now. Mrs N. invested in a Sky contract when I was away larkin' about in Australia some years ago. She made me a present of it for the cricket, despite my protestations because I am not a Murdoch fan and never have been. But what's all this now about a dedicated F1 channel demanding extra payment? Or is a non-HD feed available as you mention on the existing 408? I tend to glaze over with anything uninteresting, and I can't wrap what remains of my mind around this TV business at all. Thanks for your valued advice.

DCN

[Vitesse2]

Even more confused now. Mrs N. invested in a Sky contract when I was away larkin' about in Australia some years ago. She made me a present of it for the cricket, despite my protestations because I am not a Murdoch fan and never have been. But what's all this now about a dedicated F1 channel demanding extra payment? Or is a non-HD feed available as you mention on the existing 408? I tend to glaze over with anything uninteresting, and I can't wrap what remains of my mind around this TV business at all. Thanks for your valued advice.

DCN

If you have Sky Sports, you get the ordinary SD feed on channel 408. If you have Sky HD (with or without Sky Sports) you get the HD feed on channel 408. No extra charge if you have either of those subscriptions. There are also lots of extras available via the red button and/or SkyGo on your computer.

[Vitesse2]

Whoopee! Failed TV commentator and failed F1 driver - a killer combination.

What's the Spanish for "GO! GO! GO!"?

[kayemod]

What's the Spanish for "GO! GO! GO!"?;)

VAYA! VAYA! VAYA!

[Doug Nye]

If you have Sky Sports, you get the ordinary SD feed on channel 408. If you have Sky HD (with or without Sky Sports) you get the HD feed on channel 408. No extra charge if you have either of those subscriptions. There are also lots of extras available via the red button and/or SkyGo on your computer.

OK. Got it. But to be honest I am uncertain whether to be pleased...or disappointed...

DCN

[Stephen W]

OK. Got it. But to be honest I am uncertain whether to be pleased...or disappointed...

DCN

Maybe ambivalent would best describe your condition Doug?

[Doug Nye]

I don't mind as long as NOBODY suggests bisexual.

DCN

[pacificquay]

Rupert Murdoch does not own sky.

He has a minority stake in a company that owns a minority stake in sky.

[David McKinney]

Who owns bSkyb (British Sky Broadcasting plc)?

James Murdoch is chairman of directors...

[paulsenna1]

According to Wiki... News Corporation (Murdoch) owns a controlling 39.14 percent stake in the company.

[Aykay]

I like others on this forum had no desire to pay Sky to watch F1. I could live without live coverage. However I have just seen the GP thanks to German channel RTL. I was fortunate the there was a dish on this house when I moved in and I already had an old decoding box. If you don't speak German you can turn down the sound and listen to the radio.

[Stephen W]

According to Wiki... News Corporation (Murdoch) owns a controlling 39.14 percent stake in the company.

With "controlling" being the operative word!

[kayemod]

I like others on this forum had no desire to pay Sky to watch F1. I could live without live coverage.

I watched the 2pm BBC offering, and I thought it was almost as good as last year, didn't bother to watch qualifying earlier, but didn't think I was missing anything at all. The fact it wasn't live so I already knew the result didn't bother me in the slightest. The only slight problem is the the new commentary guy who will take a bit of getting used to. Maybe he'll calm down a little in time, at the moment he's too Murray Walker-ish for me, but what did other TNFs think of the Sky coverage?

[LittleChris]

I was also a little disappointed that Ben Edwards was a bit more shouty than I remember his commentary being in the past. Apart from that I think he did okay.

[Vitesse2]

The only slight problem is the the new commentary guy who will take a bit of getting used to. Maybe he'll calm down a little in time, at the moment he's too Murray Walker-ish for me, but what did other TNFs think of the Sky coverage?

That's Ben Edwards. He was always a bit shouty when he did F1 before for Eurosport and Bernievision. But in those days he had Wattie alongside him as a counterpoint. (We were younger then, Chris! ) Wattie wasn't afraid to call a spade a spade, but DC has always come over as a bit too "corporate" for my liking and I do wonder if he's quite the man to put alongside Ben. Time will tell. I wasn't over-keen on Gary Anderson: no offence intended, but his Ulster accent is rather shrill and can become near-unintelligible when he talks at speed. Which he did a couple of times. I was one of many who reckoned Ben should have got the ITV gig with Martin when Murray retired - Ben and Martin would actually be my "dream team".

On Sky David Croft came over a bit shouty as well, but with Brundle in the box I think he'll calm down. He's far more used to radio, which requires a different technique for F1. And he also does darts (believe it or not!) which tends to need a shouty style to be heard over the crowd! Ant was seriously under-used on race day, as was Ted Kravitz: I almost got the impression we heard more from Lenny Kravitz! Damon needs to relax a bit.

The few comments I've seen about James Allen on R5 haven't been exactly effusive either. Apparently "GO! GO! GO!" became "GOOOO!"

[Tim Murray]

The few comments I've seen about James Allen on R5 haven't been exactly effusive either. Apparently "GO! GO! GO!" became "GOOOO!"

I overslept and missed the first half of the race but James Allen didn't seem to have improved at all. He came out with some weird things at times, which often confused co-commentator Jaime Alguersuari who didn't know how to respond. Alguersuari himself was OK, but not in the Davidson league as an expert analyser.

[pacificquay]

Regardless of personalities, Sky won the day for me because it was live.

There is no substitute for live coverage.

[kayemod]

Regardless of personalities, Sky won the day for me because it was live.

There is no substitute for live coverage.

Not exactly disagreeing, many will agree with you of course, maybe even the majority, but I only want to see racing. The result and the fact that I'll know it in some detail before the programme even starts, doesn't bother me in the slightest, it certainly doesn't spoil my enjoyment. Recorded BBC highlights done as well as they were today, are perectly OK as far as I'm concerned.

[Thundersports]

Maybe Ben has spent to long doing BTCC hence the over excitement. My dream team would be Ben and Martin, I thought Damon looked very uncomfortable and wasn't sure what to say so pointed out the obvious. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't see out the season.

[Stephen W]

I wasn't over-keen on Gary Anderson: no offence intended, but his Ulster accent is rather shrill and can become near-unintelligible when he talks at speed. Which he did a couple of times.

Totally agree - rather than a calm and calculated approach Anderson seemed to think that he had to rush through his comments whilst it would have been far better if he had just taken his time. At least he might have been understood!

Edited by Stephen W, 19 March 2012 - 10:30.

[fw07c]

Having missed the Australian Grand Prix due being kept overnight in hospital. I found the bbc highlights the worse broadcast I have ever seen with comments about previous year not relavent to the action . In future if I want live coverage which will be BBC radio or F1.com live timing. Where at least I will follow the race as it unfolds. I have attended Grand Prix since 1961 where all you got was a 30 secound advert frm Dunlop showing the winner crossing the finishing line. THings have improved tremedously since then.
It was the most backward step taking TV coverage off free to view channels.

[Sharman]

Maybe Ben has spent to long doing BTCC hence the over excitement. My dream team would be Ben and Martin, I thought Damon looked very uncomfortable and wasn't sure what to say so pointed out the obvious. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't see out the season.

Must agree, Edwards always appears to be on the verge of hysteria. Probably some director recently transferred from Pimp my Knickers insisting on it being made more exciting. Did not see Mr Hill

[Cargo]

If I'm desperate I can usually find a pub to go and watch a race but it's amazing how soon the novelty wears off.

Myself, a Freeview-only fan of F1 coverage, but would be interested in watching at least one of the new Sky live races in a pub or similar premises. But notice that the Oz, and Malaysia races are going out live at non-pub hours (very,very early morning). Are there any pubs doing such coverage? In the Brighton area (UK)?

Have to notice that the opinions on various forums about the comparisons between Sky/BBC progs of the Melbourne race are "mixed". Seems the Beeb does better "quality" coverage where Sky has more "quantity" - which means Sky wins on sheer bulk of coverage - hours. I thought yesterdays BBC highlights prog' was just fine (no complaints). But the fact that it's NOT live really counts against it ..

Edited by Cargo, 19 March 2012 - 16:25.

[Thundersports]

I watched both as my Sky sports subscription was offered at half price for 3 months before christmas; it was the last Sky offering i'll be watching for a while. I tuned in to both to compare them and to see whether it was worth paying for Sky and I have to say it wasn't.

[Gwynston]

I thought BBC's highlights show worked fine. Due to family commitments, I often have to record the races and watch in my own time while avoiding hearing the result in the meantime (especially the early morning races). BBC's highlights saved me having to skip past stuff myself!

The race coverage itself was pretty comprehensive, while the cutting down of the pre-race stuff perhaps went too far. The hour long build-up of previous years was too much, but what we ended up with for Melboure was a bit too short, especially as the 1st race of the season.

Post-race was good, and the individual driver interviews are more informative and interesting than the offical podium press conference. Would like to have seen more of the podium presentation though.

Delighted to still have the BBC's Red Button service too, as my wife was hogging the Sky+ box on Saturday evening, so I could watch qualifying on an old freesat Sky box. Except that the graphics didn't seem to fit on a 4x3 screen, so I couldn't see the driver's names on the left-hand-side grid order column. It was on an old telly with a lot of overscan, but I've never had the problem before on that receiver/TV setup.

I miss Martin Brundle too...

[Vitesse2]

Delighted to still have the BBC's Red Button service too, as my wife was hogging the Sky+ box on Saturday evening, so I could watch qualifying on an old freesat Sky box. Except that the graphics didn't seem to fit on a 4x3 screen, so I couldn't see the driver's names on the left-hand-side grid order column. It was on an old telly with a lot of overscan, but I've never had the problem before on that receiver/TV setup.

I miss Martin Brundle too...

FOM have changed the graphics to 16:9 this year. You can fix that by changing the settings on the Sky box: Services > System setup > Picture settings. Toggle picture format to 4:3 or 4:3L, scroll down to Save New Settings and press select. 4;3L should produce a "letterbox" picture with black borders top and bottom and retain the 16:9 picture. Ordinary 4:3 might cause pictutre distortion.

[Gwynston]

FOM have changed the graphics to 16:9 this year. You can fix that by changing the settings on the Sky box: Services > System setup > Picture settings. Toggle picture format to 4:3 or 4:3L, scroll down to Save New Settings and press select. 4;3L should produce a "letterbox" picture with black borders top and bottom and retain the 16:9 picture. Ordinary 4:3 might cause pictutre distortion.

Bvgger!
I thought I had all my picture settings right. We have the 2 receivers each plugged in to 2 TVs, one of which is 16:9, the other is 4:3. It always seemed to work OK with the Sky boxes switching depending on which TV is being used. But if FOM are no longer broadcasting 4:3-friendly graphics no amount of reformatting by the receivers will help.

Unless, as you say set to 4:3L, which greatly reduces the vertical picture size...

[David Lawson]

After the coverage of the Malaysian Grand Prix today they showed an excellent interview with Jody Scheckter at his organic farm. He ran through his career and walked round his collection of his cars from the Formula Ford through to the championship winning Ferrari. I liked his dry humour and an ego that seemed well in check but once again with this series of interviews it could do with being a good bit longer.

David