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Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Discussion started by GroveF1 , 24 November, 2011 20:17
Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
GroveF1 24 November, 2011 20:17
I hope judging by this people havecurrently got Sky or Virgin just now. Reading Facebook comments, I don't believe Sky Sports is required.

Another good thing is Martin Brundle and David Croft look to be the commentators. Liked Coulthard though. Maybe like Jake he refused to jump.


Quote:
F1 Times.com
Sky will reportedly set up a dedicated Formula 1 channel, available to Freeview customers for just £10 per month, whilst Sky and Virgin Media users will enjoy the extra content for free.
The satellite broadcaster gained the rights to show all 20-races live next season - leaving the BBC with just half - which prompted thousands of complaints, including 40,000 on the governments official e-petitions website.

In response to the criticism, and as a way to lure those with tighter budgets from the BBC's reduced coverage, Sky will broadcast all three practice sessions, qualifying and the race, live, through a monthly subscription channel available through their own service, Sky TV, as well as rivals Virgin and Freeview - the latter of which is a free service but has optional content available through a subscription service.

Whilst the news will come as a relief to some, it may not be enough to appease most viewers who have enjoyed free-to-air coverage in the UK since most can remember. It is however a massive reduction compared to Sky's basic sports package which costs £50+ per month.

Martin Brundle is expected to partner David Croft on commentating duties, whilst Simon Lazenby, a former Rugby presenter, will anchor the show. Jake Humphrey, who has been the face of the BBC's coverage since 2009, reportedly turned down an offer to jump ship.

Full confirmation from Sky is expected next month, which is likely to include repeats, lower category racing and an F1 legends programme.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Darron 24 November, 2011 20:49
They had to do this, in fact I think they should do it for all their sports

They've finally realised that some people aren't gonna fork out for the full sports package, to watch one sport

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
ghettonation 24 November, 2011 20:53
If the reports are true and they are going to be showing other forms of motorsport and an F1 legends (?) program then yes I'll quite happily pay £10 per month.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Xerro 24 November, 2011 21:27
I'm not surprised they weren't able to lure Humphrey away, if he went with Sky he'd only have F1, but with BBC he gets F1, olympic games, and other events. It's better for his career in the long term to stick with the BBC.

As for Brundle, he seemed fairly angry with the BBC, much like most of the viewing public, he's made a few sniping comments during commentary, though he always made them funny. So i'm not too surprised if he's departing for Sky. Especially since his skills focus around F1 and not commentating in general.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Ozzy Osbone 24 November, 2011 22:47
Hmmmmm. Grumble, grumble. I hate Sky. Might go for this though. Harumph. Dammit.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
FrankDC 24 November, 2011 22:50
If Sky buys F1 rights, i suppose this should apply to every country with SKy or not?

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Ozzy Osbone 25 November, 2011 00:28
No, I think this is just UK. Sky Germany are considering ditching F1 because they can't make it pay. I suspect that's why there is now this massive backtracking in the UK.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Alex the Lad 25 November, 2011 07:10
I thought that the plan was that Jake was going to give up F1 next year, anyway, as he was going to head up the olympics coverage.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Mansell`s flying wheelnut 25 November, 2011 08:32
I hope sky dont take croft, what about before Legard got the job in 09 there was a rumour that Brundle vetoed croft then, I cant stand the bloke, he has an over inflated opinion of himself and is ultra tetchy, I cant see Brundle who has just started being the number 1 commentator wanting another comentator alongside him, he will want a summariser.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Ozzy Osbone 25 November, 2011 08:46
I actually like Crofty's commentary. Not sure how it will fit with Brundle but there is some talk of Martin returning to his original role. Maybe that is his choice. Maybe he's not enjoying the anchor position as much. Who knows. As long as it's not Allen or Legard, I'm happy.

If this is true, I think I'll get the Virgin Tivo thing installed. Looks pretty good anyway.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Beer_Stalker 25 November, 2011 12:41
No info on Freeview availability:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96445

"Sky says the channel will be provided at no extra cost to existing Sky Sports 1 and 2 or Sky HD subscribers, and will also be available online and through mobile and tablet devices via Sky Go."

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
roadie 25 November, 2011 14:22
If, and I guess it's a big if, will it be HD on Freeview? There are only 4 HD channels at present. Also, my Freeview HD box doesn't have a card slot, so I'd have to buy another. However, £10 a month doesn't seem too unreasonable if the content is there.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Ozzy Osbone 25 November, 2011 19:37
I can't see they will put it on Freeview. The main part of this has to be to force people to pay the basic Sky sub. I think they have miscalculated not only the feeling in the fans but also the simpl fact that at the moment, many, many, many families can in no way justify £500 a year for telly.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
GroveF1 25 November, 2011 20:48
BBC reveal their coverage for 2012:

[news.bbc.co.uk]

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Mansell`s flying wheelnut 27 November, 2011 10:29
I see this morning Brundle has confirmed he will commentate for Sky next year and no mention of croft which is good in my book, I can see Sky getting another ex driver in the role alongside Brundle, Blundell perhaps ?

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Alex the Lad 27 November, 2011 11:14
The important question now is with Brundle gone who's going to call the races for the BBC? How about Ben Edwards and Karun Chandhok?

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Mansell`s flying wheelnut 27 November, 2011 11:29
I like Ben Edwards but maybe they will give it to Croft or get Legard back, I'm not too bothered because I will be watching Sky.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Ozzy Osbone 27 November, 2011 13:05
Can't blame him. I will miss his excellent commentary. Ben Edwards will do nicely though. I think he's excellent on BTCC. Maybe DC will stay with the BBC and co-commentate.

I've resigned myself to highlights in 2012. Depressing but there you go. I've got 3 young kids so maybe it's not all bad. Will get less greif on a Sunday.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Mansell`s flying wheelnut 27 November, 2011 21:44
Still got 10 races live ozzy so it's not all doom and gloom, and I assume you have a PC, shouldnt be to hard to find a stream.

Re: Sky to offer F1 Channel for Free - Almost!!
Xerro 27 November, 2011 22:03
I like how BBC steered clear of choosing the live races that have question marks hanging above their head such as Bahrain... though that's a particularly boring race anyway. And i could of done without having Spain live, i know it's the start of the european leg but it's not a circuit that provides classic races... i think 1996 was the last one it provided that i considered a classic.

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