Early Starts
Asides

Early Starts

Oliver White
8th March, 2006
12 comments
1 min read

Tom just mailed me pointing out the early start of the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday 19th March. A 5.30am start, oh what fun! In the email, Tom wrote:

I assume from that [the listed qualifying times] the race will also be very early in the morning… (Sunday’s listings aren’t up here yet)

I read a story earlier on F1 Links Heaven about the lack of schedule for the Malaysian GP on UK television. Check it out here. I’m not going to post anything relating to this until it is confirmed, as I think ITV will show the race on ITV’s regular channel and they will also show it live. What else can they show at half five in the morning that will get nearly enough viewers as F1?

12 comments

  • Yes, so I hear. Like I say, I’m not going to rant until it has been confirmed (the race, that is). However, if all these rumours are correct, there is going to be one hell of an email heading ITV’s way!

    By the way K, I have no idea why your comments are continually going to moderation. I’ll work on it when I get 5 minutes 🙂 to correct that issue.

  • cheers 🙂

    i have a couple of friends who used to work for itv (on f1, amongst other things) and i don’t believe anyone reads the emails that get sent in, not even when they’re sent it on mass. nobody there gives a damn, not a tiny jot. much better to send emails to site’s like pitpass.com or make a lot of noise here. you could also contact Ofcom.

    looking at the problems itv is currently facing re: advertising revenues and a potential future hostile takeover – anyone have any thoughts on the long-term future of f1 on uk tv? would a buyout make coverage any better? will itv sit up and listen now they’re officially in trouble? will f1 get sold to sky or maybe back to bbc? will they ever fire JA, please?

  • I think ITV’s coverage is good, overall. I think Martin Brundle is excellent in his position, along with Louise Goodman and Ted Kravitz in the pits. The commentary is informative and many ‘new-to-F1’ friends of mine compliment the commentary because they feel they learn things when they are actually happening on track.

    However, should another company takeover the broadcasting of F1 in the UK, I would imagine that these people would be asked to move simply because it is obvious that they are good.

    Regarding the advert breaks, and now the possibility of not showing part of the event on mainstream TV? Well, that could be the straw that breaks the camels back!

    I think the BBC would have an equal coverage of the sport, but of course the commercial breaks wouldn’t happen and hopefully both qualy and the race will be shown live (regardless of time) on either One or Two.

    I really hope it doesn’t move to Sky – I have trees by my flat which means I can’t get the product. Although if necessary, a chainsaw could be hired for the day! 😉

    Good question K. Does anyone think the coverage would be better if it were provided by another company like the Beeb, or Sky? Would F1 attract as many viewers if it were on Sky?

  • I just checked my TiVo, and the listings are now showing the main race as being show:

    ITV1WA Sun 19th Mar 14:45

    Qualifing is indeed live on ITV3 (repeated on ITV1 on Saturday afternoon):

    ITVTHREE Sat 18th Mar 05:30

    ITV1WA Sat 18th Mar 13:00

    Of course, we’re still a week away, so this data may change!

  • I’m not impressed with Steve Rider, because it doesn’t seem like he has a clue what he’s talking about and is simply reading a script. Martin Brundle is the best thing about the coverage, and he counteracts James Allan’s inane babble quite well.

    I think the BBC would do a better job and could probably invest more (licence payers) money into it. I don’t think the advert breaks are that much of a problem though, because I know someone who tunes into Radio Five Live’s coverage during these times, and doesn’t miss a thing!

    There always seems to be a way to find out what you need to know.

  • Indeed WA is the initials tivo use for “WAles” – ITV3 of course is not regional!

    Chris, I have to agree with you about Brundle and Allen – his grid walks are the highlight of the pre-race coverage!

  • I’m not impressed with Steve Rider, because it doesn’t seem like he has a clue what he’s talking about and is simply reading a script.

    Didn’t Jim Rosenthal just read from a script as well?

    By the way, am I the only person who is secretly happy that Tony Jardine isn’t going to be on the show anymore? For me, he was only second to Allen on my hitlist!

  • What happened to Jardine? I really liked him actually.

    Oh, does anyone have any info on the new theme tune? I love it – DC looks especially sexy in it which is a huge bonus 🙂

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