Formula 1 NOT in HD on BBC
New update
Still no HD on the BBC but The Chain will be kept as the theme tune and there will be multi-screen options when viewing through the red button.
No HD
Formula 1 WILL NOT be in HD on the BBC from launch although the BBC Sports team are hoping to secure a feed eventually.
Roger Mosey of BBC Sport said “F1 won’t yet be available in HD though we’d very much like it to be. I’ll keep you posted.”
He went on in a later comment to explain that it wasn’t down to the BBC. He said: “the BBC very much wants F1 to be in HD. The problem is the world feed is currently in standard definition, and it depends on the demand from broadcasters other than the BBC before it will be upgraded. We’ll keep lobbying…”
So the answer is 1) wait and see and 2) get in touch with F1 teams, advertisers and bodies to convince them to go HD if that is what you really want.
Now back to the original speculative article.
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone is expecting the BBC to be innovative with its coverage of the sport when it returns to the corporation in 2009 and this could include HD, interactive and more. He says the BBC have “all the rights they want”.
This is a few days old but I thought it was worth reporting anyway – given the amount of coverage I’ve already handed to Formula 1 over the last few days – or at least to Top Gear and Formula 1.
This time, instead of speculating about the involvment or not of the Top Gear team I’m going to publish and look at an interview with Bernie Ecclestone on the BBC Sport website.
In the interview a surprised BBC reporter talks to Bernie about what he thinks we can expect from the BBC when it covers F1 from 2009 and the basic gist is that the coverage will include Online, iPlayer, Podcast, Radio, HD, Television and Interactive.
First lets look at the video together and then I’ll post my thoughts on it afterwards (coming from someone without a big background in or love of F1 (I’ve asked Doctorvee if he fancies writing a beginners guide to the sport – if he doesn’t I’ll put my journalistic skills to the test and have a go at doing it myself).
I have to admit I’ve never seen Formula 1 on ITV in full but do have an idea, from reading a number of blogs on the subject over the last few days and the basic gist seems to be that, with the exception of a commentator and the adverts ITVs coverage is pretty good.
So the feeling is that the BBC should offer at least the same level of coverage – this shouldn’t too difficult as it works on a similar model to that offered by the BBC with Football – a pre and post match/race programme, full detailed coverage of the race, warmups, practices, qualifiers and interviews as well as a website to back it all up with streaming and extra information.
On top of that though the BBC can, and from what Bernie has said probably WILL, offer High Def races, alternative commentary from the radio team, race highlights on the iPlayer (possibly even whole races if the rugby is anything to go by) as well as clips, interviews and related stuff on the BBC F1 website.
Don’t work your thoughts of the website and what it will be out from what you see at bbc.co.uk/formula1 right now as within the next few months the BBC Sport website is going to get a major re-design that will allow more information to be included.
I think, given that F1 will be the last major sport the BBC will have the rights to (with the exception of England Games) they will go all out and give it some serious budgets.
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I seriously hope the BBC do something amazing with the F1 coverage. It will be interesting to see where it will sit (will the qualifying and race be on BBC1 for every race weekend? Where will race repeats be broadcast, if any?).
I’ve been watching F1 on ITV for 5 years now and yes, they generally do a good job. It will be nice to see the ads go and have uninterrupted coverage of the race. Its nice to see Ecclestone working with the BBC. From what I understand, in recent years, he’s been pretty opposed to any F1 being broadcast over the web. I’m really excited by the idea of a video podcast of race highlights. The BBCs “Chequered Flag” podcast is ok but lacks energy and that special something. With the extra investment in the broadcast of F1 on the BBC maybe that will change.
Let me know when it's in HD then I will start watching!
Apparently the BBC are heavily lobbying F1 and the other broadcasters for HD feeds so maybe by the 'next' season.
If there is no HD feed then how come the cinemas show it all in HD??? where is there feed coming from. I know last season Hatfield Odeon offered every race in HD
Charch makes a very good point. My local Odeon also showed all races in HD or so they claimed. Why is that the BBC feel it right to broadcast some children's TV shows in HD (like the kids really care if its in HD or not!) and can't show F1 in HD – a huge disappointment. Still, at least it won't be interrupted by adverts like the ITV coverage.
The cinema coverage wasnt in HD, just upscaled.
Yeah, what's happening with this HD feed myth? Last season ITV heavily advertised their F1 HD service at every ad break, which unfortunately, was only available on the red button. It therefore follows that there IS a HD feed.
Ok.. I've been watching Formula 1 now for around 15-20 years.. I was watching the grand prix season on BBC 2 with Murray Walker commenting on the young and upcoming new driver that Benetton had unscrupulously poached from Eddie Jordan.. yes.. Mr Schumacher himself.. of course he was no match for our very own Nigel Mansell.. but I digress.. my point is.. I've watched F1 go from the BBC to ITV.. I've watched a LOT of rule changes.. grooved tyres.. limited engines.. crazy downforce rules.. the coming and going of electronic driver aids.. and the one thing that has affected my enjoyment of F1 more than any of the "safety" changes that have reduced racing action.. was the move to ITV.. and their coverage of F1..
I understand that ITV need to generate advertising revenue, but there was nothing worse than cutting to a break and coming back only to be told you've just missed the most crucial overtake.. or major error/accident of the race. We have always been at the mercy of foreign directors following the wrong battles because their own national hero is battling for 7th and they don't care about the battle between raikkonen and hamilton at the front etc.. but the insistence of ITV to squeeze every last second of advertising opportunity out of it was damaging.
I would have much preferred to see integrated advertising.. splash screens on replays etc.. along with an extended commercial break.. or even quick succession breaks either side of an uninterrupted race.
In short.. this year is the first year in a LONG time that I don't feel robbed for paying my TV licence..
As for HD.. Although many countries around the world still use standard definition broadcasts, the BBC should be committing to the British GP in HD, and work together with as many of our European cousins to get at least 50% of races in HD. This would then give much more clout to Bernie and co when they're negotiating new circuits and considering dropping others.
It will take time, but I firmly believe the BBC should hold the exclusive F1 licence for as long as possible.
Real F1 Fan – Some good points there.
The main issue though is that all of the race coverage is produced by Formula 1 Management (with the exception of Japan and possibly Monaco), which is run by Bernie. They do not produce a HD feed for any of their races therefore the only possibility of getting HD is if Bernie decides to implement it. The BBC have their hands completely tied and as far as I am aware they take HD capable broadcast equipment to the races – they could'nt be more ready if the feed was there.
I have heard rumours that the FOM track side camera's have HD lenses but the onboard cameras are still SD. This is probably still one of the sticking points.