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My Editor has asked me to approach my weekly blog in a different way. He’s the Boss, so I will. He wants me to be more controversial, nothing too extreme you understand, but just a bit more opinionated, perhaps. Also, he would like me to keep it shorter. So here goes.
My background is in commercial television so I am at least a little qualified to have a view on the news that the BBC is to renew its association with Grand Prix racing from 2009. On first hearing the news – I was not in bed at the time like my friend Murray Walker – I was not so very surprised. Not because I thought ITV was doing a bad job but because I knew the BBC was keen to get its hands on a major international sport at a time when almost all other sport seems to be slipping from its grasp. I was aware too, that ITV was determined to capture as much top line football as it could afford in the knowledge that the big European games are very popular with both advertisers and viewers alike. So, the news that the BBC had done a deal with Mr Ecclestone and that ITV had beaten its rivals to the best of the European football pretty much confirmed the rumours that have been swirling around in recent months.
I look forward, as most people do, to watching a Grand Prix without the tiresome interruption of mortgage and mobile phone advertising. I am not, however, convinced that the BBC, as it is today, will do a better job of the actual race coverage than ITV is already doing. I say this because – apart from their irritating obsession with Lewis Hamilton – I think ITV has done a generally excellent job of televising Grand Prix racing to the general public. Of course the real racing aficionado will never be entirely happy because he or she probably knows as much about the sport as those who front the programmes. The coverage is not primarily created for us real, long-time enthusiasts – it is designed to appeal to a far wider audience and this, I believe, it has succeeded in doing.
I simply wonder if the mooted ‘Top Gear’ approach to Grand Prix racing will work. The Clarkson/May/Hammond take on life does work for ‘Top Gear’ and its loyal audience. But the complex business of GP racing requires, in my view, a more studied approach. We get this on ITV from both Martin Brundle in the commentary box and Ted Kravitz (above) in the pits. Martin knows his stuff and delivers it in pithy and humorous style while Kravitz gives us the facts and figures we need. When he doesn’t know something, he finds the answer. Commentators are always in the firing line and I know from experience just how hard this job can be. James Allen may not have the populist appeal of Murray Walker but that is not the point any more. He, like us, is an enthusiast and his partnership with Martin Brundle may well be a safer bet than the rather more tabloid approach of Messrs Clarkson and Hammond, should that come to pass. Call me contrary, but I also think Louise Goodman does a great job behind the scenes. Tell me when she last missed getting hold of a driver just retired from a race.
I prefer Steve Rider on my football coverage but whatever he does in front of a camera, he’s totally professional. If I had to knock the ITV F1 show, I would only ask for less news on Hamilton and more news about the other 21 cars and drivers. Yes, I know Lewis is a remarkable new discovery – and a refreshingly raunchy racer – but even Manchester United is so much more than Cristiano Ronaldo.
But it’s a done deal, a deal that Mr Ecclestone finds to his liking. Let’s just hope the BBC brings something really special to the party apart from the largely unwanted “added value” of podcasts, mobile phone updates and Internet streaming. Most of us watch on telly. And I do know that throwing the ‘Top Gear’ format at Grand Prix motor racing will not be the answer.
Ryan Morrison, March 26th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I think people are reading too much into the Top Gear thing - I don’t for a second think we’ll see any of the three actually commentating - after all Jeremy Clarkson is the only actual F1 fan among them and he has far too many opinions to commentate.
I think we may see Richard Hammond in the presenters chair doing pre and post race stuff but he won’t be commentating.
And I think anything the other two do (or the three collectively) is more likely to be fringe stuff - sketches in pre and post match programmes - stuff around highlights - interviewing drivers and people around the race and maybe even presenting an analysis podcast.
DBT, March 26th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I’m very glad the BBC have coverage back, if only because I loved the old Fleetwood Mac theme music which they MUST revive (like the wildnerness years of ITV’s the Premiership it felt like coming home when the Match of The Day theme tune greeted me home from the game on Saturday nights).
I’ve never really been one to watch much of the buildup, just getting in for the warm up lap and start and turning off after the podium ceremony, but I can image for those who enjoy watching it (as I did for the first time in ages last weekend) that the Top Gear approach would be awful.
It certainly ruined Top Gear as a serious car show, and would do the same for F1.
But at least there won’t be any adverts during the race.
Not that this is the be all and end all, I still watch MotoGP live on Eurosport as their commentary team are superb. The best in the business, any business, as far as I’m concerned.
Stuart Booth, March 26th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Couldn’t agree more about your concerns about Top Gear - don’t let Clarkson anywhere near proper racing please! We don’t need the hooligan approach. Perhaps Motor Sport and its readership should lobby the BBC now.
Jp, March 27th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Looking for innovation in broadcasting?
INTERACTIVITY….
As previously seen on Digital F1+ I feel the inclusion of the timing screen, pit camera,on-boards and alternative audio via a red button mosaic screen are the key to a forward looking telecast.
We know it works…
It would be great to see the Beeb bring it to us all.
Jp
Clive Pritchard, March 27th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Whether the BBC or ITV broadcast F1 is slightly irrelevent, as some , if not all of the current presenters will transfer over to the Beeb, just as they did from BBC to ITV.
The important issue is to get the RACING on the track to be of interest to the current fans & to hopefully newcomers. The 1/2 hour hype-show we have before the practise & the race is there to give some infomation, but it seems the tittle- tattle (politics) is increasing.
Ask any fan & they always say “Give us Overtaking & Racing”
New items for the Beeb? How about some of the other races at the Grand Prix’s, 1/2 hr highlights would be great!
I also agree the coverage of MotoGP on Eurosport is superb.
Peter Fulbert, March 28th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I am in agreement with Clive Pritchard. Unless the whys and wherefores of TV contracts is your business, the transferral of F1 to the BBC is a mountainous non-event. Should the Beeb not possess the wherewithal to alter the sport to ensure overtaking is a fundamental component, whether it’s Richard Hammond or one of the Tweenies fronting the coverage is an utter irrelevance.
On the other hand, a Graham Norton feed to be suitably irreverent might instill an element of unpredictability otherwise lamentably absent…
Sarah James, March 28th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
While I have concerns about any involvement by the Top Gear presenters (I think F1 has enough problems without adding Clarkson’s special brand of sarcasm to the mix), the scheduling is something that I’ll be keeping an eye on.
We’ve got used to ITV abruptly ending its GP coverage to keep Coronation Street fans happy; how will the Beeb handle a similar situation? I don’t want to miss a juicy post-race press conference because it’s time for the Antiques Roadshow. Nor do I want to end up tuning into BBC3 for my F1 coverage.
Of course these may well prove to be unfounded worries, and I hope that is the case. As for bringing back Murray, as good as he was, I think there’s enough commentating talent out there to be able to leave the octogenarian to enjoy his retirement (if indeed he has slowed down at all). I only wish certain other elder statesmen in F1 would follow his cue…
R.Widdows, March 29th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Dear All
Well, at last a subject that lots of you want to talk about, and I’m not surprised. We deserve better coverage and if they can have it in America, surely we can have it here. After all, we have most other American things, for better or for worse.
No time to reply to you all individually as I’m trying to pack ready for going to Bahrain tomorrow. But thanks everyone for your pertinent and sensible responses to the TV debate.
From what I hear this week, not all the ITV people will automatically transfer to the Beeb. I just hope Martin Brundle makes the move. The Beeb would be mad not to take him.
RW
Colin Johnston, April 14th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Great stuff, bring it on!
Back on the Beeb with no advertisements, the ability to press “the red” button for extra/different coverage, the “iPlayer” to catch up or rewatch the race & the potential for excellent online coverage.
To be honest, I think the “Top Gear” suggestion is intended more for a magazine programme supporting the main coverage. Yes F1 needs serious and comprehensive coverage - long-term fans need their “nitty gritty” - but a relaxed & “witty” sister show to the race coverage would be welcomed by me.
I think ITV does a good job, but I’d be disappointed if James Allen made the move as commentator. He was excellent in his previous role of pitlane/strategy expert, but, personally, his commentary irritates. In my opinion Brundle has developed from being a pundit & does a better commentary job - ie actually calling the race. I appreciate it’s a very difficult job (and we’re all enthusiasts) but I think other experienced commentators need to be considered.
Just my opinion
Rob Widdows, April 17th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Colin
Agreed, some good points there. A magazine show to support the race coverage would be a real bonus. I think David Coulthard - if he retires this year - would make a great contribution to the magazine show. But yes, the Beeb must retain Brundle. I really don’t know if there are better options than James Allen - I haven’t seen or heard any, and it’s not an easy job.
I don’t mind the commercials too much - it’s a chance to make a cup of tea and grab a sandwich - and ITV have made very few howlers in the timing of the breaks.
Above all, we want to get closer to the action, to the heart of the matter, as broadcasters do in America. The whole show needs livening up with more atmosphere, more drama and more insight into what’s going on.
More pits-to-car radio would be a help and some more informal chats with the drivers.
TV has to be the closest you can get without being there………!
RW