F1 To BBC

[Kinky Gerbil]

The BBC has secured the television rights to Formula One from the 2009 season, it has emerged.

The five-year deal marks the return of the sport to BBC screens 12 years after ITV began broadcasting Grands Prix.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said: "I am delighted to conclude this new deal with the BBC.

"It is an exciting time in Formula One and the BBC has some innovative new ideas to consolidate and expand our UK fan base."

The deal covers all platforms and will see F1 broadcast on the BBC Sport website, as well as on TV and radio.

Dominic Coles, BBC Sport director of sport rights, said: "The biggest motorsporting event in the world is returning home after 12 years.

"We were delighted when Bernie Ecclestone approached us about the return of F1 to the BBC.

"F1 is a crown jewel of sports broadcasting, so to bring the rights back to their traditional home from 2009 is tremendously exciting.

"Fans will be able to enjoy uninterrupted, state of the art and innovative coverage from BBC Sport, across all of our TV, radio and new media platforms, for the first time since 1996."

 

[bright1064]

I bet Steve Ryder is well gutted now! His career is now going to take the same course as Des Lynham's and he will be presenting countdown before you know it!


Seriously though, I used to like F1 when it was with the beeb, I hope that they give it the coverage it deserves.

 

[clippedgull]

Good news for the BBC

At least we will be able to watch the race uninterrupted.

Hopefully it could be broadcast in HD as well.

ITV have been doing a good job to be fair, but they must have other fish to fry breaking a 5 year contract like that.

 

[JJ McClure]

I think ITVs coverage is pretty good to be fair. Not really fussed who shows it but would like the BBC to sign up Brundle.

 

[Dover]

I bet Brundle will say someting over the weekend. Or a driver will have a pop at him.

He's never diplomatic at the best of times.

I just hope Murray Walker is not dragged out of retirement.

 

[Vatican Citys No.2 Keeper]

I think ITVs coverage is pretty good to be fair. Not really fussed who shows it but would like the BBC to sign up Brundle.

I'd be quite happy for the beeb to nab all the current commenattors on itv who do it.

 

[Stoichkov]

Will they dust off the Fleetwood Mac LP?

 

[227 BHA]

Will they dust off the Fleetwood Mac LP?

Surely they'll have to?


It just wouldn't be BBC motorsport without it!

 

[Springal]

i like ITV coverage except for the advert breaks!

 

[El Presidente]

With the BBC having both Strictly Come Dancing and now F1, they will have a monopoly of pastimes masquerading as sport.

 

[Frutos]

Will they dust off the Fleetwood Mac LP?

I very much hope so.

 

[Easy 10]

Very strange that ITV have taken the opt-out two years early, especially as Hamiltons stock is just going to rise and rise. 10m tuned in for last seasons Brazilian GP, so they were certainly getting the numbers.

Just cannot work out why they've dropped it to be honest.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Very strange that ITV have taken the opt-out two years early, especially as Hamiltons stock is just going to rise and rise. 10m tuned in for last seasons Brazilian GP, so they were certainly getting the numbers.

Just cannot work out why they've dropped it to be honest.

I am guessing but.

I would assume they are after more Football, are the Premiership rights up for grabs again soon?

 

[Hannibal smith]

I am guessing but.

I would assume they are after more Football, are the Premiership rights up for grabs again soon?

I think

(1) Champions league Wednesday is up for grabs and I’m guessing ITV have gone big on that. They have already won the FA Cup with Setanta from next year which cost a fair wedge.
(2) Sony paid them no more than Honda did last year for advertising despite Lewis Hamiltons rise onto the seen. Simply, they aren’t making as much money out of F1 as they thought they would. As an aside, In the early days, some twats boycotted certain products that were advertised in the races as a protest at their coverage being interrupted. One bloke even sold his car and cut off his phone after one race.

 

[Woodchip]

Bring back the Fleetwood Mac riff.
Keep Blundell for the pit lane bit currently done by, daft ex-Jordan employee, Goodman.
Use the guy from Robot Wars in the commentary box with DC (as he'll have no drive next year), or the guys from Motors TV that have passion for anything on wheels.

 

[Horsham Gull]

prob one of the most famous tunes to be associated with a sporting event

[yt]gfoLMa8bET4[/yt]

this is FANTASTIC news!!!

 

[Horsham Gull]

Murray Walker, former F1 commentator for both the BBC and ITV, said: "I'm absolutely flabbergasted - I was lying in bed listening to the news this morning and I almost fell out of bed when I heard it.

"It's an amazing development because I think ITV did and do a superb job, and I think there is more to this than meets the eye."

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

prob one of the most famous tunes to be associated with a sporting event

[yt]gfoLMa8bET4[/yt]

this is FANTASTIC news!!!

sadly a pretty shoddy version of the fleetwood mac one....

 

[The Timekeeper]

Get Murray out of retirement.... His cock ups make F1. I remember his comment " and there goes Damon Hill, the car he is driving is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical" Priceless.

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Get Murray out of retirement.... His cock ups make F1. I remember his comment " and there goes Damon Hill, the car he is driving is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical" Priceless.

Or, his car is perfect.... except it's on fire - or something like that!

I miss him shouting "GO! GO! GO!" when the lights went out