13 replies to this topic

[juanan]

It's in headlines today: http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/55335


I think it's the wrong direction. F1 races must be free. Pay per view should be a complement to that countries that already have a free live coverage.

In Spain we had during several years just PPV races. As I couldn't afford PPV I had to ask for RTL tv recordings to a friend in germany.

That made this competition not very popular during several years around here.


Agree with you, MR.Ron

[FonzCam]

Apart from the fact that we're not talking about Pay-per-view here (this is about moving to a subscription channel like Sky Sports not the move to a pay per race service like PremPlus)

As Mr Haug says in the article, the best for both worlds would be FTA on a national broadcaster and then an enhanced subscription service for those that want it. I'm hoping that they set this up direct online rather then having 2 TV deals per country which is going to leave the FTA broadcaster with the option to not show qualifying because those who really want to see it can always become subscribers.

[carbonfibre]

I think Norbert Haug is spot on.

Let it see on a free channel but also give them a choice to pay for it and get more exclusive stuff. Premiere in Germany are a perfect example. Multiple F1 channels with onboards, replays, pitlane stuff etc etc.

[fifi]

Originally posted by carbonfibre
I think Norbert Haug is spot on.

Let it see on a free channel but also give them a choice to pay for it and get more exclusive stuff. Premiere in Germany are a perfect example. Multiple F1 channels with onboards, replays, pitlane stuff etc etc.

yeah i'd agree
when we had f1 digital here in the uk it was a ppv service but we also had it free on itv so people had the choice

[Modern Lover]

Originally posted by carbonfibre
I think Norbert Haug is spot on.

Let it see on a free channel but also give them a choice to pay for it and get more exclusive stuff. Premiere in Germany are a perfect example. Multiple F1 channels with onboards, replays, pitlane stuff etc etc.

Indeed. The casual fan, or the fan with a small disposable income might settle for the free-to-air while the more interested fans whom might priority F1 can choose to pay for the more extensive package.
Only having the pay package available will hurt 'recruiting' new fans and will push other established fans over to other free-to-air genres. Hope it is not a strategy of CVC in order to get more TV revenue

[kismet]

Apparently I'm not manly enough for MTV3 to want me or my money anywhere near their precious live F1 broadcasts. *****!

[noikeee]

I'm lucky to already be subscribed to SportTV.

Quality of broadcast is going to be much better for sure, but i do feel sorry for the fans who don't have it. I'm quite certain the popularity of the sport is going to diminish here (altho PPV isn't the only exclusive reason for it...).

[brett_sequeira]

a perfect example would be canada.
F1 is available on the expensive cable options and is not free to air. Hence people who cannot afford to pay ridiculous cable fees like myself cannto watch the race. we have to rely on live timing and other means for seeing a race.
i think this is a bad idea for the sport.
I got into f1 only because i saw a few races free on tv and got hokked. if it was on pay channels i would never have seen a race. i dont know if they want to make f1 as popular as soccer but if they do this is not the way to go.

[Fortymark]

I would gladly gladly pay if I could watch the races without commercials

[stevewf1]

Hey, maybe F1 TV coverage should only be available to the sponsors and thier employees (perhaps it should include family members of said sponsors)...

After all they are the ones paying for the privilege, right?

[Dudley]

Originally posted by fifi


yeah i'd agree
when we had f1 digital here in the uk it was a ppv service but we also had it free on itv so people had the choice

Except then PPV probably won't make enough to be viable.

[aportinga]

SPEED just announced a 3 year deal.

[snark]

The way the the free tv channels have treated F1 on Oz, I'd be very happy to see it on PPV. The delayed starts and lack of qualy to me make it a no brainer.

[Wolf]

Originally posted by aportinga
SPEED just announced a 3 year deal.

So did our (Croatian) national TV, and (to rub it in to snark) in God knows how many years of watching, I can't remeber many times when races were not shown, or tape delayed (maybe 4 or 5)- all go live, and if in ungodly hours (Asian and Australian races) it's additionaly either rerun, or shown in report, in the afternoon.