Formula 1: Sky vs. BBC

Barry · 11-27-2011, 12:50 PM

Anyone got any thoughts on the Sky vs. BBC F1 battle that will commence in 2012?

So far I've resisted the Sky Sports packages (no interest in soccer so it was never that hard). Time now to make a decision to stick with BBC (apparently Jake Humphrey & David Coultard staying with BBC) with their 10 live races and 10 delayed or jump ship to Sky (Brundle just signed with them). Not sure where Eddie Jordan is going?

I must admit I have been impressed with the BBC coverage over the last few years.

Who's doing what???

RossoVeloce · 11-27-2011, 02:24 PM

Um, excuse me being American, but what exactly is Sky? I am assuming a major TV network. Honestly, I would stick with what's familiar and free, BBC, but if I understand you correctly that you won't get half the season then I would take the plunge and get the "Sky Sports Package".

Barry · 11-28-2011, 01:50 AM

Nathan
Yes, Sky is a TV network for the UK & Ireland region. It has most of the major sports coverage for UK/Ireland. And from 2012 has the Forumla 1 as well.

Barry · 03-12-2012, 02:54 PM

Less than a week to go.

For those of us UK/Ireland based, who's sticking with BBC and who's jumping ship to Sky?

JazzyO · 03-12-2012, 11:23 PM

Hi Barry,

now that I'm based in Jersey, the only way to get decent TV is through Sky and since I like sports and HD I was already signed up for the new F1 channel that is provided with those packages free of charge (but if you don't have those packages you can't pay for only the F1 channel).

I personally like the Sky service in general, if I compare it to what I have available in Holland. There is a very good selection of movie channels, and a lot of content in HD.

It was interesting reading Nigel Roebuck's comment in Motorsport on the change, and his mini-interview with Martin Brundle, who made the switch from the BBC. The signs are good. Martin is saying that the channel will be for dedicated fans. It will have much more depth than the BBC could have. He has also said that there is a lot of money being invested in it, with a very enthousiastic team. He says he had sleepless nights about making the change to Sky but ultimately the vision of what the channel should be persuaded him. We will see if this is all marketing speak.

I think the BBC made a huge mistake here, and Brundle said part of his decision came from the fact that the BBC did the deal without even telling Brundle, Coulthard and and Humphrey who then had to announce it to the world 15 minutes later. It was a huge surprise to them as the BBC had a contract until 2014. Since I have Sky, I will be watching all the races live, which means at least half on Sky. If I like their programming, then perhaps I'll make the full switch. From next year we will have to anyway. It seems to me the BBC might as well have foregone the last season, it's really naff to do this half/half thing.

Since I left Jersey before the programming started last Friday, I haven't seen anything yet, but I noticed that the channel also does a lot of documentaries on F1 legends and stuff like that. I think this is a very positive thing, the history of F1 is fascinating as we have seen with "Senna".

In short, it seems that I am going to like this channel. Can't wait for the season to start and to find out.

Onno

Barry · 03-12-2012, 11:42 PM

Good points Onno. The other support programmes/documentaries themselves are probably worth the subscription alone.

weepee · 03-13-2012, 05:01 AM

I,m lucky in that next doors dish is within easy reach. so after dark ill be up the ladder with some cable and i,m sorted.

Granucci · 03-13-2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weepee

I,m lucky in that next doors dish is within easy reach. so after dark ill be up the ladder with some cable and i,m sorted.

Better hope he gets Speed

I'm with Comcast, so no real choice other than an Internet interface.

wetpet · 03-13-2012, 05:12 PM

i usually download the race in hd and watch it later. so i can do either. Really like the bbc version and don't know how they could possibly get more in depth. they already do like 10hrs of programming for each race.

redtrman · 03-13-2012, 06:38 PM

why pay for it, all the races are free and live on the web.

JazzyO · 03-14-2012, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redtrman

why pay for it, all the races are free and live on the web.

Not everyone lives in a place where you can get a decent internet connection. At my house in Jersey, I can only get 2 mb/s, nowhere near enough to watch on the internet, even downloading would take forever. And besides, not everyone has a TV that connects to the internet, and not everyone wants to watch on a laptop.

Onno

Barry · 03-14-2012, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Not everyone lives in a place where you can get a decent internet connection. At my house in Jersey, I can only get 2 mb/s, nowhere near enough to watch on the internet, even downloading would take forever. And besides, not everyone has a TV that connects to the internet, and not everyone wants to watch on a laptop.

Onno

I dream of 2mb Onno. Rarely get above 1 mb at home

mk e · 03-14-2012, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzyO

. And besides, not everyone has a TV that connects to the internet, and not everyone wants to watch on a laptop.

Onno

I just plug the laptop's HDMI into the TV......but I haven't found a site that streams the races free, link anyone????

wetpet · 03-14-2012, 07:06 AM

25mb/sec+

. and i could pay for more. but i can download a full dvd movie in less than 10m so no bother. Don't know what i would do without it. Even my rental in amelia island this weekend was giving me that download speed.

as far as hooking up the tv to the internet or playing downloaded files, there are several good boxes that do this and hook up to your computer or network through USB and output hd. I have used most of them and prefer my boxee box.

http://www.boxee.tv/buy

as far as the race streaming live goes, unless you use a server in UK or a proxy, i don't think you can get the bbc feed. the rebroadcasts on places like justintv are so poor and sketchy, i don't like them. i have tried most ways to watch the race and find the best quality and most relaxing is to download it after the fact and watch it at my leisure in hd on my 8ft wide screen with surround sound. Usually the evening of the race on sunday. Which is also the perfect time for me to dedicate 3hrs to watching. ymmv.

JazzyO · 03-14-2012, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry

I dream of 2mb Onno. Rarely get above 1 mb at home

When I download, I get up to 150kb/s.... 2mb is just a theoretical maximum, or perhaps it refers to 2megabits/s and not 2 megabytes/s.

At least the whole island is getting fibre-optic, from 2014 I should have 1000mb+.

Onno

JazzyO · 03-18-2012, 11:05 AM

Well, I must say I've been very impressed with Sky's coverage. Basically it's the same as the BBC formula, but with more depth because they've got more broadcast time.

I do miss Jake, DC and Eddie Jordan. And I hate saying that because I've never liked DC when he was racing. But he's a good bloke with very good analysis. Eddie's just bonkers but that is what makes fabulous TV. And Jake is "just" an amazing presenter that knows his sport.

But the Sky Team is not bad. Not bad at all.

Onno

wetpet · 03-18-2012, 05:27 PM

exactly what i was just about to write. Gotta say i prefer the jake,dc,eddie team though. They need to ditch damon hill. boring. don't mind trading dc for this one though! (if she gets rid of that dumb pony tail)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Well, I must say I've been very impressed with Sky's coverage. Basically it's the same as the BBC formula, but with more depth because they've got more broadcast time.

I do miss Jake, DC and Eddie Jordan. And I hate saying that because I've never liked DC when he was racing. But he's a good bloke with very good analysis. Eddie's just bonkers but that is what makes fabulous TV. And Jake is "just" an amazing presenter that knows his sport.

But the Sky Team is not bad. Not bad at all.

Onno

Barry · 03-19-2012, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Well, I must say I've been very impressed with Sky's coverage. Basically it's the same as the BBC formula, but with more depth because they've got more broadcast time.

I do miss Jake, DC and Eddie Jordan. And I hate saying that because I've never liked DC when he was racing. But he's a good bloke with very good analysis. Eddie's just bonkers but that is what makes fabulous TV. And Jake is "just" an amazing presenter that knows his sport.

But the Sky Team is not bad. Not bad at all.

Onno

Totally agree. I but the bullet and got the sky package.

Barry · 03-27-2012, 01:42 PM

Sky series on F1 Legends is good. Just watched Nigel Mansell, then Jody Scheckter, now settling down to watch the Jackie Stewart interview...

wetpet · 03-27-2012, 01:55 PM

thanks for reminding me, i meant to download those. will watch them tonight.

11-27-2011, 12:50 PM	#1
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,255	Formula 1: Sky vs. BBC Anyone got any thoughts on the Sky vs. BBC F1 battle that will commence in 2012? So far I've resisted the Sky Sports packages (no interest in soccer so it was never that hard). Time now to make a decision to stick with BBC (apparently Jake Humphrey & David Coultard staying with BBC) with their 10 live races and 10 delayed or jump ship to Sky (Brundle just signed with them). Not sure where Eddie Jordan is going? I must admit I have been impressed with the BBC coverage over the last few years. Who's doing what??? Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

11-27-2011, 02:24 PM	#2
RossoVeloce Join Date: Jun 2011 Ferrari Life Posts: 178 Name: Nathan	Um, excuse me being American, but what exactly is Sky? I am assuming a major TV network. Honestly, I would stick with what's familiar and free, BBC, but if I understand you correctly that you won't get half the season then I would take the plunge and get the "Sky Sports Package". "People who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are usually the ones who do,"- Steve Jobs

11-28-2011, 01:50 AM	#3
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,255	Nathan Yes, Sky is a TV network for the UK & Ireland region. It has most of the major sports coverage for UK/Ireland. And from 2012 has the Forumla 1 as well. Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

03-12-2012, 02:54 PM	#4
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,255	Less than a week to go. For those of us UK/Ireland based, who's sticking with BBC and who's jumping ship to Sky? Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

03-12-2012, 11:23 PM	#5
JazzyO Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Channel Islands Ferrari Life Posts: 4,281	Hi Barry, now that I'm based in Jersey, the only way to get decent TV is through Sky and since I like sports and HD I was already signed up for the new F1 channel that is provided with those packages free of charge (but if you don't have those packages you can't pay for only the F1 channel). I personally like the Sky service in general, if I compare it to what I have available in Holland. There is a very good selection of movie channels, and a lot of content in HD. It was interesting reading Nigel Roebuck's comment in Motorsport on the change, and his mini-interview with Martin Brundle, who made the switch from the BBC. The signs are good. Martin is saying that the channel will be for dedicated fans. It will have much more depth than the BBC could have. He has also said that there is a lot of money being invested in it, with a very enthousiastic team. He says he had sleepless nights about making the change to Sky but ultimately the vision of what the channel should be persuaded him. We will see if this is all marketing speak. I think the BBC made a huge mistake here, and Brundle said part of his decision came from the fact that the BBC did the deal without even telling Brundle, Coulthard and and Humphrey who then had to announce it to the world 15 minutes later. It was a huge surprise to them as the BBC had a contract until 2014. Since I have Sky, I will be watching all the races live, which means at least half on Sky. If I like their programming, then perhaps I'll make the full switch. From next year we will have to anyway. It seems to me the BBC might as well have foregone the last season, it's really naff to do this half/half thing. Since I left Jersey before the programming started last Friday, I haven't seen anything yet, but I noticed that the channel also does a lot of documentaries on F1 legends and stuff like that. I think this is a very positive thing, the history of F1 is fascinating as we have seen with "Senna". In short, it seems that I am going to like this channel. Can't wait for the season to start and to find out. Onno Future: 458 Italia (May 2012) Present: 550 Maranello, 330GTC, 365BB (x2) Past: eh - see above.

03-12-2012, 11:42 PM	#6
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,255	Good points Onno. The other support programmes/documentaries themselves are probably worth the subscription alone. Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

03-13-2012, 05:01 AM	#7
weepee Owner Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gods own Ferrari Life Posts: 96	I,m lucky in that next doors dish is within easy reach. so after dark ill be up the ladder with some cable and i,m sorted.

03-13-2012, 05:12 PM	#9
wetpet Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chevy Chase, Md Ferrari Life Posts: 6,599 Name: Ed	i usually download the race in hd and watch it later. so i can do either. Really like the bbc version and don't know how they could possibly get more in depth. they already do like 10hrs of programming for each race. Everything you know is wrong Stop chatting and start living the ferrarilife!

03-13-2012, 06:38 PM	#10
redtrman Owner Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Great Falls, VA Ferrari Life Posts: 1,153	why pay for it, all the races are free and live on the web.

03-14-2012, 07:06 AM	#14
wetpet Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chevy Chase, Md Ferrari Life Posts: 6,599 Name: Ed	25mb/sec+ . and i could pay for more. but i can download a full dvd movie in less than 10m so no bother. Don't know what i would do without it. Even my rental in amelia island this weekend was giving me that download speed. as far as hooking up the tv to the internet or playing downloaded files, there are several good boxes that do this and hook up to your computer or network through USB and output hd. I have used most of them and prefer my boxee box. http://www.boxee.tv/buy as far as the race streaming live goes, unless you use a server in UK or a proxy, i don't think you can get the bbc feed. the rebroadcasts on places like justintv are so poor and sketchy, i don't like them. i have tried most ways to watch the race and find the best quality and most relaxing is to download it after the fact and watch it at my leisure in hd on my 8ft wide screen with surround sound. Usually the evening of the race on sunday. Which is also the perfect time for me to dedicate 3hrs to watching. ymmv. Everything you know is wrong Stop chatting and start living the ferrarilife! Last edited by wetpet; 03-14-2012 at 07:13 AM.

03-18-2012, 11:05 AM	#16
JazzyO Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Channel Islands Ferrari Life Posts: 4,281	Well, I must say I've been very impressed with Sky's coverage. Basically it's the same as the BBC formula, but with more depth because they've got more broadcast time. I do miss Jake, DC and Eddie Jordan. And I hate saying that because I've never liked DC when he was racing. But he's a good bloke with very good analysis. Eddie's just bonkers but that is what makes fabulous TV. And Jake is "just" an amazing presenter that knows his sport. But the Sky Team is not bad. Not bad at all. Onno Future: 458 Italia (May 2012) Present: 550 Maranello, 330GTC, 365BB (x2) Past: eh - see above.

03-27-2012, 01:42 PM	#19
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,255	F1Legends Sky series on F1 Legends is good. Just watched Nigel Mansell, then Jody Scheckter, now settling down to watch the Jackie Stewart interview... Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

03-27-2012, 01:55 PM	#20
wetpet Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chevy Chase, Md Ferrari Life Posts: 6,599 Name: Ed	thanks for reminding me, i meant to download those. will watch them tonight. Everything you know is wrong Stop chatting and start living the ferrarilife!

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