6 replies to this topic

[Weaverbird]

I’m a faithful lifetime follower of GPs. I have been to both Suzuka and Fuji. I have a good knowledge of Japan. Their GPs are extremely exciting, interesting and the locals re knowledgeable snd fun. The culture and scenery and behind the paddock -stands, food, fans etc are exceptional and make great fill-ins and cutaway shots when the presenters can't find anyone interesting to interview, or racing held up. In fact, why doesn’t someone make a whole programme built around the culture of all the GPs. For anyone who doesn’t know why a visit to a particular country’s GP, such a programme would draw interest, ticket sales, tourism etc. They have the cameramen there at great expense, so why not capitalise on it all. this rant is just to ask - Is it me, or was Channel 4s coverage of raceday yesterday absolutely dire. Beginning and end - time wasted with a bad actor droning on. More time wasted in the studio - Nothing against Steve Jones, David Coulthard and Billy Monger who are always good, but I had the feeling they were struggling to fill in with waffle. (I don’t have Sky as motor sport is the only ‘sport’ (I use the expression advisedly) I’m interested in. I expect they are wonderful - but I purposely don’t listen/ watch anything lest I hear the result. I really felt cheated yesterday! So, was it just me??

[LodgeCorner]

When I watch C4 I just fast forward to the actual race!

[pacificquay]

Channel 4 can only use a certain percentage of the race in their highlights programme.

 

As the Japanese Grand Prix only ran to just over half distance, they had a lot less minutage of race action available to them for the same scheduled time slot they had allocated.

 

Given they weren’t expecting that, they couldn’t just magic up the sort of features you suggest.

[RekF1]

I’m a faithful lifetime follower of GPs. I have been to both Suzuka and Fuji. I have a good knowledge of Japan. Their GPs are extremely exciting, interesting and the locals re knowledgeable snd fun. The culture and scenery and behind the paddock -stands, food, fans etc are exceptional and make great fill-ins and cutaway shots when the presenters can't find anyone interesting to interview, or racing held up. In fact, why doesn’t someone make a whole programme built around the culture of all the GPs. For anyone who doesn’t know why a visit to a particular country’s GP, such a programme would draw interest, ticket sales, tourism etc. They have the cameramen there at great expense, so why not capitalise on it all. this rant is just to ask - Is it me, or was Channel 4s coverage of raceday yesterday absolutely dire. Beginning and end - time wasted with a bad actor droning on. More time wasted in the studio - Nothing against Steve Jones, David Coulthard and Billy Monger who are always good, but I had the feeling they were struggling to fill in with waffle. (I don’t have Sky as motor sport is the only ‘sport’ (I use the expression advisedly) I’m interested in. I expect they are wonderful - but I purposely don’t listen/ watch anything lest I hear the result. I really felt cheated yesterday! So, was it just me??

FYI sky are ****

[Weaverbird]

Of course I understand all that - but did you actually see the wasted 10 minutes at the beginning with the actor, pre-planned for the programme and long before the stoppage - then repeated at the end?!    

'Magic up the features' - in Saturday's qualifying programme, there were plenty of cutaway shots of fans and added lots of colour to the production.

When I suggested instituting separate 'culture' programmes for each country, it's just a dream for the future! 

[F1 Mike]

Have to say I've generally been a fan of channel 4s production including their features and interviews. They're miles ahead of what sky slap together. I know that's not a good reference point, but it's the best there is currently.

It's a relief there's still a full time highlights package on free to air TV, and hope it continues.

[Weaverbird]

I agree, Mike - that's why I was so disappointed In the wasted time at the beginning of Suzuka race day programme with an actor - I didn't understand most of what he was spouting, but then I'm obviously getting old....