The first indications as to ESPN’s plans for F1 broadcasts will not be including David Hobbs evidently as this article on Racer.com points out. At the age of 78, it is best that Hobbs enjoy a long healthy retirement. He’s been in the commentary business for so long that it’s hard to remember when he wasn’t in the booth. It seems though that there is actually some bitterness on Hobbs’ behalf, "They're (ESPN) not paying any rights fees, they aren't having any studio shows so there aren't any production costs. It's meant to be a generic team from across the ocean. That is irritating, that we're being ousted by what will be an inferior show. To be pushed out by a pathetic deal, including for the viewer, is sad.” My whole thing is, why does there need to be a pre and post-race studio show? If a network is going to do that, then they should do as SKY does and have their entire crew physically at the events rather than commenting from a studio 5,000 miles away. In this mode, it gives viewers a view of the atmosphere and it lends to a great sense of place. Hyping these races with pre and post-race smacks of NASCAR with their endless pre-race hype which no event may ever live up to. For F1, it should be easy. A ten minute preview, set the field, show us the course layout, a bit of local color, lights out (green flag). David Hobbs should be congratulated on his many, many contributions to racing. First, as a very versatile driver, he drove everything from F1, to sports cars, to Formula 5000 to CanAm to NASCAR to TransAm and as a commentator providing many colorful moments and inventing words like “klag”. As for Hobbs’ commentating mates, Steve Machtett and Leigh Diffey, no word on their future plans. Matchett could go back to writing entertaining racing books. Diffey could go back to Australia in a leaky boat. We’ll see soon enough how F1 will be presented on ESPN. Hopefully, they bring new blood to the deal but if Liberty follows through on their plans for pay per view, a-la Le Mans, that’ll be the way to go. http://www.racer.com/f1/item/145924-hobbs-preparing-for-broadcasting-farewell BHW
Great writeup BartonWorkman. I'm fine with an all new crew. The US coverage has always been a bit theatrical during the race (with the woahwoahwoahwoah!!!!!!!!! for example) and just filled with nothing but constant hype to try to keep the race entertaining. I understand the need to do it, but they go way overboard. Let's try getting some new voices. That or just grab the Sky coverage. I'd have zero complaints about that.
I don't have TV, but I would love to legally buy/stream sky coverage. Unfortunately, even if ESPN buys SKY's broadcasting team audio and in paddock video, it wouldn't be the same with US TV commercials tacked on. SKY runs commercialless as they have interesting in depth pre and post shows that they run the commercials during, followed by a commercialless race. I wish we could get the same.
Maybe it's because I just started watching F1 this year, and so I haven't been listening to Hobbs et al. for as long as many, but i actually like David Hobbes. Wish he would be on the coverage next year.
Have lost interest. MotoGP and NHRA are more exciting. Will wait to judge ESPN but I am not too optimistic.
I think Hobbs and Matchett and better than SKY for the race broadcast, but as far as the pre and post race and other goings on, SKY is miles better. I make it my practice to watch all the SKY F1 stuff on Youtube, many thanks to those who post it up for us Americans, and I always leave more informed watching SKY then NBCSN.
Hobbsie has always been my favorite. He'd be a cool uncle to have, one with tons of stories about racing everything from F1 to Can-Am to Porsche 962s to F5000.
Going to miss Hobbs and Matchett, I have been fortunate enough to meet both of them at our local Ferrari club events as well as meeting Hobbs in Indianapolis back in 2000. They really are true gentlemen and really are F1fans, not just talking heads. All the best in their future endeavors, whatever they may be.
Like Kimi ? Good announcers are quick on their feet. Cornering speeds have little relevance. Watching recent ex-Nascar guys announce is painful. I have no problem with Hobbs or Matchet. Even Diffy serves his purpose as ringmaster. When Varsha stepped in for a race there seemed to be quite the friction between him and Matchet. When SPEED turned the keys over this same crew went along. I wouldnt be surprised to see them at ESPN. Anyone but Costas. I'll quit the sport. The guy I appreciate most is Buxton. Always an inside view but that might be lost in a studio.
I may be in the minority, but I’m going to miss Hobbs, Machett and Buxton. Leigh, maybe not so much. Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat
Yes. Hobbs will be missed though. He really contributed very little but was entertaining and fun to listen to. Matchett seemed like he's been way too removed from the sport to be relevant. The Aussie guy was just annoying to listen too. Varsha pretty much the same.
I agree, they had chemistry and always seemed genuine, no matter if they called out the wrong car. I just fear its really gonna suck on ESPN.
ESPN is in the news again announcing massive layoffs. With that in mind, I can see them simply piggy-backing the world feed of F1. Does F1 have a generic announcing crew?
Heard this on CNBC (business channel) this morning. Disney making a $60 billion deal. I believe I heard SkySports were included in the deal. If so, there's your F1 announcers....for the moment.
Crofty and those guys. Total biased Ham-fosi. Its a major deal with Disney and Fox (Sky along with many others in the deal). So I'm thinking those guys from SkySports will carry over into ESPN..thats just my opinion as the deal will be solidified next week and more news to come out.
pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease! I do value good pre- and post-race shows, and Sky has the best out there, even with the Ham-centric crap. And NBC had its fair share of that too.
Disney paying $52B for Fox film, including Sky Plc, which owns Sky Sports, iirc. Sky Sports coverage upcoming for us in the U.S? https://reut.rs/2ytw9W1
