2013 Formula One

[chrissa1]

Does anyone know what channel the F1 GP season is being shown on this year? TIA

[excelsior-1]

unfortunately, sky sports F1 again

the bbc will have only a few of them live ... they will be highlighting the rest of them

just like last year

[chrissa1]

Bummer. My son and I were sure we heard Jordan and Coulthard state at the last GP, that BBC1 would be covering the whole series this year.

I said "yay" and cancelled my Sky Sports subscription.

[Zacs-Master]

Only covering 10 races but with the gorgeous (and knowledgable) Suzy Perry!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17238688

[ChillDoubt]

Suzy Perry is nice but I actually prefer Lee McKenzie, a twinkle in her eye and that soft, Scottish brogue.
Yummy!

[excelsior-1]

i'm not happy that sky took it off the bbc in the first place

[chrissa1]

Me too excelsior-1. I much prefer the BBC coverage and discussions.

Thanks Zacs-Master.

[Mattk]

Love the Beeb coverage. It is done in a relaxed and non-stuffy way but I am nervous that Suzi Perry will ruin the dynamic.

The Beeb highlights are so extensive that I don't miss the live race at all.

Most races have a significant number of laps which are dull so the highlights just takes those out.

[buttons77]

Do you still get Sky?
You don't need the sports subscription to watch the Sky Sports F1 channel. It's channel 406.

[excelsior-1]

i do not have sky .... i have virgin media

i am also p****d at them for taking the live oscar ceremonies away from the bbc - and also taking away the james bond films from itv

[ABerrant]

The current contract which sees the BBC and Sky "partnering" on F1 coverage runs until 2018.

In 2011 the BBC was looking at ditching F1 at the end of the then contract (2013) because of its obligation to make the budgetary cuts imposed by the Government back in 2010. ITV, Channel 4 nor Channel 5 had any interest in bidding for the upcoming broadcast rights meaning that no UK terrestrial channel would have shown F1 after that date. F1 would have moved exclusively to Sky.

BBC and Sky entered into this partnership for broadcast rights which allowed Sky full access 2 years earlier than would otherwise have been able, and the BBC to pay less but still show all races (half live, half as highlights) for many years after it would otherwise have disappeared off terrestrial TV. Without Sky this would have been the last season of F1 on BBC - now it exists until at least 2018.

[chrissa1]

I didn't know that Aberrant. I just thought it was Sky doing its usual "muscle job" on the BBC.

Buttons77, yes I have Sky but just the basic package. Sky Sports F1 costs an extra £10.