42 replies to this topic

[sensible]

From www.thisislondon.co.uk

The BBC are attempting to buy back teh rights for F1 from 2005 it was reported. ITV are worried that they may lose out as finances are tight.

Oh please please please make it happen.

no more james allen
no more jim rosenthal
no more of the little glove puppet who does the analysis

please make it so

(and while i'm wishing, can you poach martin brundle)
((and also why wait til 2005))

[mikedeering]

Perhaps best of all - no more adverts!

[Clatter]

I agree, please let it be so.

One thing that worries me is BE as this would be a very real threat to the digital channel (at least in the UK). Coverage on BBC with no adverts would certainly put a lot of people off subscribing to BernieVision. The main reason I did it was to avoid the adverts.

[BMW FW22]

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

no more dutch tv, i'll watch great britisch commentary...

please !

[MJP]

Originally posted by sensible
From www.thisislondon.co.uk

The BBC are attempting to buy back teh rights for F1 from 2005 it was reported. ITV are worried that they may lose out as finances are tight.

Oh please please please make it happen.

no more james allen
no more jim rosenthal
no more of the little glove puppet who does the analysis

please make it so

(and while i'm wishing, can you poach martin brundle)
((and also why wait til 2005))

The move will be meaningfull only of they shake off Allen. On the other hand - isn't this the same org. which entertained us with M. Walker for years?

Ever since Brundle and Allen came on board, I watch (from necessity, rather then choice) ITV broadcast in mute-mode (by choice), whilst in background listening to Speed in audio. It would be a relieve to lead less complicated life.

[jonpollak]

More confirmation from a trusted Media siteThe Media Guardian

Only conjecture I am afraid

Jp

[Garagiste]

Autosport.com have the story too. BBC themselves are a bit quiet though.
Frankly I'm amazed that auntie beeb has the cash. Perhaps as they now have nothing else to spend their sporting budget on, and as itv are looking a bit weak they reckon it's worth a punt?
I hope they can win it back, and not just because of the adverts. The Beeb has a good record of sacrificing BBC2's scheduling so that they can cover sporting events IN FULL, even if they over-run for ages. Unlike itv, who will never risk starting Coro-sodding-nation Street five minutes late so that they can show us the press conference.

[Electric Sheep]

Go Beeb!

[VAR1016]

Points I remember about BBC coverage:

No advertising
No sodding electric drums
"The Chain"

Come on BBC; you know it makes sense.

PdeRL

[BRG]

We can but hope!

I wonder who the Beeb would use as presenters? I guess that Brundle would come back but I hope that they would find a new lead commentator and that Allen, Goodman and "Lenny" Kravitz would all be history. I for one would shed no tears over that.

[pRy]

I'm not so sure Brundle was ever "with" BBC. Murray Walker deffinately was, but I don't recall Brundle being part of the BBC line up. Am I wrong?

Either way, Brundle would no doubt be taken up. BBC may make Murray an offer he can't refuse too. After all, I still think ITV pushed him out.

I'd love F1 to return to BBC but frankly I'm not sure they can afford it.

[Wouter]

Go BBC
We can get them in Belgium, ITV not.

[Garagiste]

I don't recall Brundle being part of the BBC line up. Am I wrong?

No you're not, pRy, but my Gorl had to get the book to convince me!
His first year was 1997 "That didn't work, my friend!" and in '96 he was still doing cartwheels in a Jordan.

[Dudley]

Here's an educated guess or too.

Steve Ryder would host (ITV tried to get him back in 97).

Presumably they'd shift Legard from R5Live to join Brundle.

Pit Lane they'd probably just grab Louise, maybe Charlie Cox, although he's another nomination for the presenters job.

Didn't the BBC have Jardine in the pits before or am I insane?

They'd probably get Suzi Perry to do Turner's job.

[Fastcar]

Originally posted by pRy
I'm not so sure Brundle was ever "with" BBC. Murray Walker deffinately was, but I don't recall Brundle being part of the BBC line up. Am I wrong?

Either way, Brundle would no doubt be taken up. BBC may make Murray an offer he can't refuse too. After all, I still think ITV pushed him out.

I'd love F1 to return to BBC but frankly I'm not sure they can afford it.

Brundle was with BBC yes he was there on and off in between driving after James Hunt died in '93.
BBC would be awesome we'd see loads of old clips from the eightees and the choice of commentator would be more mature(its not hard!) and NO ADVERTS !!!!!!!! yesssssssss !!!

[Richard Jenkins]

Fastcar's right. When Hunt died, Jonathan Palmer replaced him & in 1995, Martin stepped in whenever he wasn't racing as that year, if you remember, he had a joint drive with Aguri Suzuki most of the year.
The BBC did have Jardine too. He was in the pits IIRC.

I think Dudley's more or less covered it all but John Watson is another name in the hat, as he is involved in the BTCC & Suzi Perry woul replace Goodman. Allen would go back to writing crap books, Kravitz would disappear into obscurity & Rosenthal would do his real job, presenting league cup football late at night, & still arsing it up.
I think Peter Slater will stick with the radio, as well as Maurice Hamilton, so
Presenter = Ryder
Commentators = Legard,Cox or Watson/Brundle or Watson
Pits = Perry/Goodman or possibly Allen/Jardine

although it has to be said that for some of the minor pit jobs, they do have a lot of talented young presenters coming through the ranks so it may be an unknown. Here's hoping, if only because it would help towards putting the BBC back where it belongs as the pinnacle of televised sport

[Dudley]

He certinally didn't do many BBC races though. The only time he wasn't driving in the post 93 era were a few in 1995.

[Dudley]

Suzi Perry woul replace Goodman.

Nah. Suzi won't travel to Gran Prix. She's a bike woman. Some of the rounds clash aand indeed she's said publically that she doesn't mind F1 but she prefers bikes./

[baddog]

like she'd turn that gig down if offered it.

Shaun

[Todd]

I thought F1 circa now was a snooze fest that fewer and fewer people could be bothered to watch. Why would any UK network want the rights? Why do some of you care?

[Hunt the Shunt Fan]

Is there anyone more ugly on British television than Louise Goodman? She looks like she has been beat across the face with a stick a few times. During the 2001 season there was a shot of her stepping out of an F1 car and taking off her crash helmet. When she pulled the helmet she had the look of a monster. It gave me the shivers.

[MJP]

Originally posted by Richie Jenkins
Fastcar's right. When Hunt died, Jonathan Palmer replaced him & in 1995, Martin stepped in whenever he wasn't racing as that year, if you remember, he had a joint drive with Aguri Suzuki most of the year.
The BBC did have Jardine too. He was in the pits IIRC.

I think Dudley's more or less covered it all but John Watson is another name in the hat, as he is involved in the BTCC & Suzi Perry woul replace Goodman. Allen would go back to writing crap books, Kravitz would disappear into obscurity & Rosenthal would do his real job, presenting league cup football late at night, & still arsing it up.
I think Peter Slater will stick with the radio, as well as Maurice Hamilton, so
Presenter = Ryder
Commentators = Legard,Cox or Watson/Brundle or Watson
Pits = Perry/Goodman or possibly Allen/Jardine

although it has to be said that for some of the minor pit jobs, they do have a lot of talented young presenters coming through the ranks so it may be an unknown. Here's hoping, if only because it would help towards putting the BBC back where it belongs as the pinnacle of televised sport

Eureka. I know I am digressing, but - YESSSSS... J. Palmer it is. Thank you Mr. Jenkins. I could not recall his name this morning. Dr. Palmer - what a knowledgeable person. My understanding is, that he was not too much liked in GB (accused from being too technical), but for my money - best from them all ITV/BBC and any US network had offered in past 15 years! Very neutral, and fair commentator - pleasure to spend an afternoon with him. Next to Watson - for what more a fellow can ask for?

[FredF1]

Jonathan Palmer got a bit of a rough ride in the 'popular' press for not being 'gung-ho' enough about the British drivers. Having the temerity to point out their errors is a treasonable offence to some folks.
IIRC he was pretty unenthusiastic about some of Damon Hill and David Coulthards errors in 1995 and wasn't shy in pointing them out.

Re: the Beeb taking over F1 again- I hope they do a better job than they did with the so-called coverage of the Rockingham CART race.

[Tomecek]

Originally posted by Wouter
Go BBC
We can get them in Belgium, ITV not.

How? Via satelitte? Via cable TV?

[Dudley]

like she'd turn that gig down if offered it.

I'd bet she would.

[Breadmaster]

but lets live in hope - she does prefer a leather trouser!

[Clatter]

Originally posted by Hunt the Shunt Fan
Is there anyone more ugly on British television than Louise Goodman? She looks like she has been beat across the face with a stick a few times. During the 2001 season there was a shot of her stepping out of an F1 car and taking off her crash helmet. When she pulled the helmet she had the look of a monster. It gave me the shivers.

A group of us discussing F1 just after she started and having said how ugly she was one of the group quitely muttered that she was his cousin.

[J Herbert]

What about Mr Irvine in the commentry box with Brundle? Just a thought

[Dudley]

Rarely a good idea having 2 drivers there.

[J Herbert]

It's not the two driver element thats a bad idea but not having the right mix. Murry and Hunt, Palmer, Brundle worked because they complemented each other.

Irvine would give the enthusiasm and exciment element (ala Murry) and Brundel the more considerd view.

We benefit in as much as they would both know what they where talking about and would probably disagree on most things - isn't that entertainment value?

[CZM]

I'm up for the BBC getting back the GP rights.

I would like to see Legard get a gig commenting with Brundle

The BBC could easily produce a better F1 Web site compared with the ITV-F1 rubbish

James Allen in the pits would be good

Hopefully they would bring back the great theme music that they used to have dum, da, da , da da da, da, da, dum , dum dum ...

[Electric Sheep]

Presenter: Steve Rider (very good, very professional, he actually knows about F1 and likes it!)
Analysis: Johnny Herbert (!) and Irv (if he retires)
Commentary: Brundle and Legard (or maybe Herbert)
Pit-lane: ??? (James Allen won't want to be demoted from his role as commentator)
Glamour: Suzy Perry (please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Just think:

- all races live
- all qualifying live (hopefully - probably on BBC2)
- all the Beeb's back archive

And no more:

- ads.
- "Nasal" Jim Rosenthal.
- "Juan Pablo, your engine blew when you were sixty seconds in front of Michael. How do you feel?"
- Lenny Kravitz pretending to be James Allen, but with even less insightful analysis: "Martin, I think Rubens will be pitting this race and he's on black tyres"
- when the screen shrinks and they tell everyone that Coronation Street will be on at 9pm or whenever.
- smarmy Tony Jardine.
- Mark Blundell's unique brand of English "I fink dat...".

[pRy]

Legard as commentary? I'm not so sure he would do that. He is their paddock guy and does interviews. I'm not sure he is suited to commentary to be honest. His first job is reporting. He would be more suited to being their man in the paddock.

Brundle would be the lead guy, and he would work with someone else, maybe Blundell perhaps, or even Murray. I am sure if BBC offered him one final year, he would jump at the chance.

Presenter: Steve Rider (Steve, is in my opinion, one of the best presenters in sport. However, he does have an equal best, in John Invadale. Either one of these guys would be perfect. I still remember Steve Rider standing on the grid to introduce the F1 coverage, that rocked. I've watched Invadale present the Worlds and Britains Strongest Men contest for three years and he is very very very good at his job.)

Analysis: Brundle, Blundell, Mansell, Hill .. it doesn't matter really, if they know what they are talking about, get them in the studio.

Commentary: Brundle and Murray.

Pit-lane: New up and coming reporter who has the tallent and knowledge. Possibly Legard.

Paddock Reporter/Interview: Legard.

Glamour: Hmm.. BBC didn't need "Glamour" really.

--

What I would do:

Get a studio with Steve Rider/John Invadale and get some guests in there such as Bernie Ecclestone, Eddie Jordan, Patrick Head.. people like that, get them in there before the race.

Put together a special "How F1 Works" series of prgrammes that can be displayed before each GP.

Stick around for the post race interviews.

[baddog]

Originally posted by Dudley


I'd bet she would.

and Id bet she wouldnt. so she likes bike racing better? thats nice, but this would be a chance to become 100 times better known, and make her career. If she is in any way a serious professional TV journo/presenter she woudl leap on it.

Shaun

[tania_walesuk]

no adverts so if i fall asleep i dont have to tape the blinkin adverts aswell as that so annoying !

[JR]

Good thing about the BBC getting it would be that like with almost all the other sports they cover they'd provide interactive features. Probably not like the features availible with BernieVision (unless he's serious about opening up the feed anyway) but stuff like:-

* Gallery of replays of a particular incident featuring all the angles availible to them.
* Gallery of pit lane interviews
* Audio options - TV commentary, Radio 5 commentary (?), No commentary - environmental audio only, etc
* Access to all the press conferences

and so on

I don't know about the timing. Whether they'd be allowed to provide their own not taken from BernieVision or whether the timing would still be copyrighted under any form.

Plus, WIDESCREEN!

[Car no.27]

The BBC coverage had been definitely better than ITV. Let's just hope they get it. Maybe they can intice Murray into coming back?

[MattC]

Originally posted by baddog


and Id bet she wouldnt. so she likes bike racing better? thats nice, but this would be a chance to become 100 times better known, and make her career. If she is in any way a serious professional TV journo/presenter she woudl leap on it.

Shaun

there's a good chance she'd want to keep the Superbike job, possibly squeezing in non-clashing GPs. The reason being, she makes a huge contribution to the bike coverage i.e. plans the content etc, so she doesn't just read a script handed to her in the pit lane, and wear the latest skimpy outfit picked by the producers.

Of course, if she was offered the same role she has now, but in F1, then I agree - she would be daft to turn it down (or just VERY keen on bikes!).


Incidentally, the Beeb are uniformly better at covering sport than ITV. They probably have a dozen commentators who could do better than Allen.

[alfaracer.com]

I think Suzi enjoys the characters involved in WSB and has probably got the hots for Bayliss or Edwards. Still they probably wont even be there next year and fame and fortune is enough to tempt anyone. I'm sure she would do an OK job and give the Beeb their token female required in this equal world of ours.

Does anyone know exactly how our fav J.Allen got the job in the first place. He has obviously got friends in high places. His ugly face and dull monotone voice is now on Pulling Power, a 2nd rate car/bike programme. Is there nno escape from this man.

I still cant think of many people I would prefer over Ben Edwards and John Watson. The Beeb could poach from BSKYB. Now theres a novel idea.

[Dudley]

Does anyone know exactly how our fav J.Allen got the job in the first place. He has obviously got friends in high places.

from the itv site

"James joined ITV in 1997 as pit lane reporter having fulfilled a similar role on the American sports channel ESPN since 1993. "

[alfaracer.com]

Well it sure begs the question how can someone with so little talent go so far.

[Fastcar]

The thing is James Allen does know his stuff I mean like any left-out schoolkid who's trainspotting nerd character would !

[Robbie]

Originally posted by alfaracer.com
Well it sure begs the question how can someone with so little talent go so far.

I really don't get the anti-Allen stuff -- sure his start of the race routine is awful -- but otherwise he's not bad at all.