Any news on NBC Sports plan for F1 coverage?

F1 is not like other sports (baseball, football, etc...) where being at the event lets you see the action better.

There is no better seat in the house (for seeing everything that is) than your sofa. It makes sense to do the commentary off-site where it's easier for everyone to get to and more money can be spent on other behind-the-scenes things (like statisticians, etc...) that better enhance the experience for us at home.

 

The difference is are you reporting sport or spectacle.

If its sport, a studio is better. If you are reporting a spectacle, you need to be there.

 

I have an open mind on this and hope they do a good job. I did not have any problem with the SPEED coverage as it was better than anything we had ever had here previously - and having no comparison to what they get in the UK or Europe.

I am even going to give Diffey a chance - though I really think his fake excitement at the slightest thing - "VETTEL REMOVED A TEAR AWAY GOING DOWN PIT LANE! THIS COULD HAVE CONSQUENCES LATER IN THE RACE!" - is going to drive me nuts. In fact, I will go on record saying that I wish Varsha had moved to NBC as well. (So much for giving Diffey a chance )

 

There are things a good journo learns only on scene

 

Beg to differ. I agree that many spectators are better off watching many events from their sofa's. [The NFL is a prime example IMO]

But there's many damn good reasons why the press send entire teams of journo's to many events, and it's not just for fun. National broadcasters that are serious about the sport send their own teams to cover it. That expense needs justifying to the suits.

I haven't been in a modern press box, but suspect they've got almost as many TV's etc as Charlie. They've got access to much more than the "World feed" that Speed etc rely on. They interact, both with each other & the teams, share stories and so on in ways just not possible from a bunker in Charlotte.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Well.
Will they or won't they be broadcast?

 

Agreed on all points. I'm not a Diffey fan for the reasoned mentioned and always kind of like Varsha. I really hope they tone down Diffey or he could get old quickly.


Mark

 

Ian,

Are you still moving back to limeyland? Maybe you could earn some pocket money with an f-chat subscriber-only VPN and access to the BBC feed?

 

Indeed...... Nice to know someone reads my BS...... Probably >6months out right now.

Ya know - That's not such a crazy idea!........ I've said many times the "geographical" model is dead and there's gotta be a better way. I do think I'll "probe" the concept once I get the appropriate permissions.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Geez Marie, this illegal alien BS has gone too far!!!

 

To answer the question regarding Formula 1 broadcast schedule. One only needs to look at ?bc sports web page to see that Indiana go cart and Libation transport car broadcast schedules are already posted.
“To buy a thing is to control a thing.” I saw that motto on the wall of a big corporate Executive.
We bailed him out last year.
If any of the other motor racing sport had to shift, turn right, brake, turn left right, push on the throttle at -GGG's, pull +GG's, for 2 hours and or 60 laps open cockpit, open wheel, you would probably have to vac the driver out of seat and remold them so they can go to the awards ceremony.
Hey that would make a good shop vac commercial.
But I digress!
Jon Miller is the Executive @ NBC sports, they bid for the rights to broadcast Formula 1, broadcast = a schedule Mr. Miller or is “to buy a thing is to control a thing“.
Yes NASCAR AND INDY CART are racing with great challenges.
FORMULA 1!! I’LL PAY SKYBOX TO LIVE STREAM IT or would you like to sell commercial time and broadcast the races on NBC sports.

 

Buried amongst the Nascar and Indy news, there is a preview video for NBC's coverage of the Australian Grand Prix posted on thier website:

NBC Sports Video Player

Also a generic season trailer:

NBC Sports Video Player

However the implication is that actual coverage starts on Saturday March 16th which in turn implies qualifying, and no Friday practice.

They also have a schedule posted.

 

That will be very disappointing, if that's the case...

 

found this nugget hidden away. Same broadcasters from SPEED with one exception [Leigh Diffey on play-by-play, with David Hobbs and Steve Matchett ]. Not sure about Leigh is or how good he is and won't google the 'fans' .. will wait on that.

and it will be live via one NBC network then into another for the remainder.

state they will broadcast over 100 hours live play and on-line too.

NBC Announces Their 2013 F1 Broadcast Team, and It Sounds Like Old Times | Bleacher Report

 

For those of us hoping that they send the crew to the tracks for this year's grands prix, this is slightly promising...Hobbs and Diffey at Barcelona testing. Taken from "David Hobbs Honda" Facebook page! Notice Diffey sporting the NBC Sports jacket...
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

From the article:

Full article:

NBC Announces Their 2013 F1 Broadcast Team, and It Sounds Like Old Times | Bleacher Report

 

As I recall from SpeedTV advertising, they would only promote the race itself, even though they also broadcast FP2 and qualy. They streamed FP1 and 3 too. I'm sure NBCSP will do no less. I hope so, anyway.

Believe it or not, NBC is dedicated enough to Euro/Olympic sports that they run a whole channel for them, Universal Sports. Every day you'll find some combination of alpine skiing, bobsled, luge, skeleton, biathlon, curling, and figure skating in the winter, and adventure sports, distance running, track and field, swimming, triathlon, and cycling the rest of the year. I wouldn't despair for the future of F1 broadcasting just yet.

 

Just checked the Comcast site to make sure that I'm set.
Seems I may need an "upgraded box" to receive it.
Anyone else hear about this?

 

Saw a commercial for F1 coverage last night while watching NBC sports. They were really playing up the "glamor" aspect of the sport

 

TifosiUSA
thats what I saw, they were showing celebs at the races more than the races!

 

My (somewhat ) ex is on Comcast - I'll check it out next time I'm there.

However, I'm pretty sure if you have a "reasonably" modern DVR from them you're all set. She didn't, and when they went all digital they supplied (FOC IIRC) a "baby" decoder box.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Intriguing.

I followed up with Comcast and I'm set to go.
F1 in HD on a regular basis, how cool.
Now if I can just set up an ongoing recording instead of programming each race ala SPEED I'll be all set. I shouldn't have to worry about it randomly switching channels to an incorrect number either. Happy days.
Assuming that there's something worth recording.

 

They must be a Ferrari dealer on the side

blinker oil is on sale ... me thinks [seriously, how different could HD from SPEED be than NBC over last year? or are they doing it in 3D ]

 

Cool. Did you ever did get to the bottom of your "phantom" channel changes? I remember you whining, but that's about it.....

I have high hopes for this year..... I reckon they're gonna be *very* close. Also seems they're starting to get their heads around the tires.

Sky is doing it in 3D. I've never seen anything that way TBH, but for sure Sky's customers are pretty excited about it.

Cheers,
Ian