In the round-up: The British government could debate the issue of free-to-air F1 if a petition attracts sufficient support.
Links
Top F1 links from the past 24 hours:
Keep Formula 1 Free-to-air in the UK (HM Government e-petition)
Most online petitions don’t amount to much as they don’t impel anyone to take action. But this one seems the best chance for British F1 fans who are upset at the loss of free-to-air F1 broadcasts to make a difference.
The government’s e-petitions site – which only opened yesterday – allows people to put matters directly to parliament, providing sufficient signatures are received.
At the time of writing this petition to keep F1 on free-to-air television is the second most popular petition on the site. Hundreds of similar petitions were discarded for being duplicates.
The government has the power to act on this matter. It can – and should – add F1 races to the list of protected sports events, which would mean they have to be broadcast on free-to-air television.
As explained here earlier, F1 already fulfils all the requirements the Department for Culture, Media and Sport sets down for protected events. Several events which are already protected attract smaller audiences than F1 does.
I urge all British F1 fans to back this petition. At present the site appears incapable of coping with the demand from people trying to sign petitions, so do try to sign again later if you don’t have any success this time. I will run reminders in subsequent round-ups.
- Sign the ‘Keep Formula 1 Free-to-air in the UK’ e-petition
- Why the government must protect live F1 broadcasts on free-to-air television
“Despite what you think, a few weeks ago we had zero free F1. Thanks to Bernie a mid-way solution found. Not perfect but better than zero. […] FOM income is also given as a percent to teams. They need money to keep show going. So do not think the images can be free. Complex business model. […] Why do people think [Channel 4] and others were an option? I will show F1 if Bernie gives me free! But teams will go bust. Business model complex.”
Via the F1 Fanatic live Twitter app
How Pollock got his hands on an FIA man (Autosport, subscription required)
“[Gilles] Simon, 53, chaired meetings of engine suppliers (including his future boss) in June and July without disclosing potential conflicts of interest.”
“A very empty race bay here at the McLaren Technology Centre – all part of the 2 week enforced shut-down that kicked in after the Hungarian GP. http://pic.twitter.com/KVnXxQz”
Via the F1 Fanatic live Twitter app
Bahrain Grand Prix delayed again (FT, registration required)
Bernie Ecclestone: “They [the Bahraini government] didn’t want it up the front so I’ve had to screw the whole calendar up.”
Would race-date change affect F1 subsidy? (Austin-American Statesman)
“What happens if the comptroller sends USGP a $25 million check based on the current application, only to find out later the race date has been pushed back two months? Would the company be asked to conduct a new economic impact study and resubmit its application? Would the state get a $25 million refund from Ecclestone pending a review of the new paperwork?”
Follow F1 news as it breaks using the F1 Fanatic live Twitter app.
Comment of the day
JK suspects the environmental issue is among the factors putting car manufacturers off F1:
Is F1 the rightful place for car manufacturers in terms of their eco-friendly plans going forward, they can hardly say “save the planet drive a Prius” on one hand then on the other go and burn 250 litres of fuel in 90 minutes for sake of us petrolheads getting our fix on a Sunday afternoon!
In 2011 with fossil fuels running out and all car manufacturers using eco-friendly/green credentials to entice customers to buy there cars I am not sure they want to be that hypocritical. Ferrari/McLaren being the exception to some extent as they only make supercars which are not exactly eco orientated-cars in the first place so no worries of being construed as hypocrites.
The other thing is also how restricted F1 is becoming, in their eyes they may see F1 slowly moving to being ‘GP1′ where every car is the same, Manufacturers want to be unique and develop their machinery to be the best it can be for the benefit of transferring technology to their own road cars and some of the other Series’ are still able to give them that level of freedom to be unique and represent the brand
JK
From the forum
Madbob85 is crunching data from the Predictions Championship.
Site updates
Earlier this week you’ll have noticed a new “rate the race results” article penned by a new guest contributor, Daniel Thomas.
This is the first of a group of new regular features written by guest contributors. Keep an eye out for more appearing over the next few weeks.
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Katy and Paul Gawne!
On this day in F1
Juan Manuel Fangio won the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring Nordschleife 55 years ago today.
At the wheel of a Ferrari D50 he led home a quartet of Maseratis comprising Stirling Moss, Jean Behra, Paco Godier and Louis Rosier. These five were the only classified finishers.
Elliot Horwood
5th August 2011, 0:04
Lets get this petition trending on twitter! i want FREE F1
Leon
5th August 2011, 19:46
Yep ! C’mon everybody.
Get this UK Gov petition signed !
We need a massive sign-up.
Keep F1 free-to-air in UK.
Pink peril
6th August 2011, 9:37
It won’t let me as i’m not a uk resident :(
stewy33 (@stewy33)
9th August 2011, 15:41
Same here, I’m an American and it will not allow me to help you guys out.
Jane Hunt
12th September 2011, 16:39
Just put that you are. You can use my address which is Bermondsey Wall West London SE16 4TL (that’s not the full address but it accepts it)
Alan OBrien
20th August 2011, 11:07
I for one who have Sky, will cancel my contract.
I`m fed up with pay, pay, pay.
Time to draw a line.
Magnificent Geoffrey (@magnificent-geoffrey)
5th August 2011, 0:04
I’d like to take a second to recognise Paul Hembery not only for the work he and his company have done for the sport this season but for how he’s gone out of his way to connect and communicate with the sport’s fans. Wish there were more individuals like him involved in the heart of running the sport.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
5th August 2011, 6:40
Paul Hembrey’s great. There are a few journalists who are really good at interacting as well, but as far as people from within the paddock, Paul Hembrey has topped them all in fan interaction, especially on the BBC issue. He says he’ll pass the fans perspective and displeasure on to the powers that be, and I get the feeling he really will too.
GeeMac (@geemac)
5th August 2011, 7:12
Seconded. His use of twitter to answer F1 fans (sometimes silly) questions has to be applauded, no one in the sport can say they are too busy when they see how many questions he churns through on a (almost) daily basis.
BasCB (@bascb)
5th August 2011, 7:13
I agree, he really seems to make an effort to understand and communicate with the fans.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
5th August 2011, 13:31
Certainly agree with you on this one. He’s a brilliant face for the sport and really gets involved.
Fixy (@)
5th August 2011, 17:48
He’s really a great lad. He is always available for interviews, and his Italian with English accent is wonderful!
David A
5th August 2011, 0:07
Not sure if it’ll help anything get done, but I signed the e-petition.
Ral
5th August 2011, 10:38
Me too. Gogo democracy. Or something ;)
Adrian J
5th August 2011, 13:53
I tried, repeatedly but keep getting sent round in a loop whereby I complete the form and then get told an email will be sent with a link to click on to complete my submission.
I click on the link and it takes me back to the first screen…so has my signature been added or not??
JimN (@jimn)
5th August 2011, 18:00
You have to click on the add signature once again, then there is a message at the top of the screen saying your signature has been added. Far from the best designed website I’ve used!
Adrian J
5th August 2011, 18:39
Ah, hardly surprising that they can’t get that right is it!!
Jane Hunt
12th September 2011, 16:41
It should have been
Magnificent Geoffrey (@magnificent-geoffrey)
5th August 2011, 0:08
Also, is it Katy’s birthday today!? Well you know what that means, don’t you?
Ms Katy Peach,
Devout Red Bull fan.
She’s an F1 Fanatic,
But she isn’t a man.
She lives up in Leeds,
A place I’ve never been.
Home to Chris Moyles,
And a naff football team.
Girlfriend to Tom,
A Really Rubbish Racer.
They live in a flat,
Where there isn’t much space-r.
She likes to make things,
Like invites and cakes.
Then logs on to Twitter,
And talks F1 with mates.
She’s a lover of tea,
But a big trouser hater.
And she’s also the Forum’s
Number 1 moderator.
Regular attendee,
Of many Grands Prix.
But each race she goes to,
Is won by Ferrari.
She’s blagged her way in,
To the Energy Station.
And been on the telly,
Beamed out live to the nation.
So a big ‘Happy Birthday!’,
To this F1Fanatic.
I’ve forgotten her present,
Guess I’ll go raid my attic.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
5th August 2011, 1:02
Nice. Happy Birthday again Katy!
sato113 (@sato113)
5th August 2011, 1:08
nice! :D
Stephen Jones (@aus_steve)
5th August 2011, 1:25
haha, trust Mag to write a poem..
Happy Birthday!
David A
5th August 2011, 2:05
Happy Birthday Katy!
F1Yankee (@f1yankee)
5th August 2011, 3:25
i’d love to see you make a cake!
TommyB (@tommyb89)
5th August 2011, 7:13
Love it Mag!
Happy Birthday Katy!
BasCB (@bascb)
5th August 2011, 7:15
A worthy sonnet for your Birthday Katy!
Katy (@katy)
5th August 2011, 7:50
Aw that’s brilliant, I love it! Haha thanks Mag :)
Thanks for the Birthday messages :)
sato113 (@sato113)
5th August 2011, 10:29
happy birthday!
Dan Thorn (@dan-thorn)
5th August 2011, 7:56
Haha awesome! Happy Birthday Katy!
ajokay (@)
5th August 2011, 9:10
Magnificent Geoffrey, the King of Rhymes! Happy Birthday Katy!
bosyber
5th August 2011, 9:11
Nice! Happy birthday Katy :)
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
5th August 2011, 9:20
That is fantastic! :D Well done Magffrey, that was probably better than (dare I say it?) the one you did for Steph.
Oh, and happy birthday Katy! Have a terrific day. Sorry this is the best present we can all give you, but we’re all thinking of you! :D
Steph (@)
5th August 2011, 10:05
Love it Mag especially the Ferrari winning part ;) Happy birthday Katy!
daykind
5th August 2011, 12:41
Agree about the Ferrari part! Mag, can i have one on October 19th please? ;)
Happy birthday Katy! Good to know there is more than just me in Leeds!
beneboy (@beneboy)
5th August 2011, 12:15
Brilliant MG !
Happy Birthday Katy !
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
5th August 2011, 13:33
Fantastic poem! :D
Happy Birthday Katy :)
TommyB (@tommyb89)
5th August 2011, 23:18
COTY
JCF1 (@jcf1)
6th August 2011, 0:54
??????
PaulK (@paulk)
6th August 2011, 1:57
That’s probably because I’m a little drunk now, but it’s a great poem.
Happy Birthday Katy, be happy,
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
6th August 2011, 3:52
Nice work.
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
5th August 2011, 0:08
I’ve made my views clear in a blog post. http://craig-woollard-f1.tumblr.com/post/8486890850/rant-f1-sky-people And included a link to that e-petition too.
John H
5th August 2011, 0:26
That is one excellent post I’ve just read Craig-o. Very nicely written piece with some good memories, Jardine aside!
Bill
5th August 2011, 7:21
Good blog but I have to disagree with the no abuse to the BBC bit. If some of their staff weren’t paid such excessive wages then maybe they would still be able to afford to show all the races live. Wages should be cut before race coverage so it’s obvious to me that their priority lies with protecting their greedy staff at the expense of race fans so in my view they deserve all the abuse they get.
Sush Meerkat
5th August 2011, 8:43
No Bill, if a company moves location and you can’t relocate you don’t walk up to a middle manager and scream in his/her face.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 8:49
The BBC is currently paying about forty million dollars for the rights to Formula 1. I’m pretty sure they’re not paying Brundle, Coulthard, Kravitz, McKenzie, Jordan and Humphrey eight million pounds each.
There is no simple solution in all of this, however much you might like it. It’s not a case of making one change and the BBC can keep the coverage.
Rob
5th August 2011, 8:59
If you just cut wages then people will start to look elsewhere for work, and the business will not be able to function properly. If your employer just cut all wages by 20% (for argument’s sake) do you not think that important people will just go to work for the rival who hasn’t cut wages?
Then when the BBC cannot attract the best people the coverage would suffer, audiences would decrease, and then they would most likely give up the rights anyway because it isn’t cost-effective, leaving everyone in the same position as now.
RIISE (@riise)
5th August 2011, 12:05
Fair enough but
I don’t believe that for a second.
James
5th August 2011, 0:11
I feel that the e-petition is in vain, although I have signed it regardless. If there is even the slenderist of hopes that the BBC keeps F1 live and free-to-air I’ll back it.
Hopefully the Government will look at the quality of a petition rather than the quantity that have signed it (i.e. bringing back the death penalty – it just wont happen…). Here’s hoping
f1alex (@f1alex)
5th August 2011, 0:13
Me too, but anything that shows how many people disagree is a good thing I guess.
James
5th August 2011, 0:19
Three hundred e-signatures in 20 minutes the round up was posted. Not bad. Lets hope the momentum continues and increases.
BasCB (@bascb)
5th August 2011, 7:19
If you get about a 100.000 people to sign, it will at least have to be discussed in Parliament. That is hardly in vain.
Sure, it might not be enough to turn back the deal, but it might at least ensure the BBC will show as much as possible long term as well, as I do not for a moment think they aren’t currently planning on quitly pulling out in the next few years.
Adrian J
5th August 2011, 13:56
Actually it will have to be looked at by a Select Committee who will decide if it is worthy of being table for debate in the Commons.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th August 2011, 18:24
Ah, right. But normally that amount of supporters should get it on for debate.
verstappen (@verstappen)
5th August 2011, 14:54
I had a little backlog in reading F1F, so I post this variation on a comment I put today at yesterdays RU here:
First: I sincerely hope that this petition helps. But I do want to share my experiences in the Netherlands with you.
I’ve been thinking about football here in the Netherlands: A big hallmark television program is sunday’s studio sport which consist most of the time of summaries of all the major football matches (dutch ‘eredivisie’, Ajax, PSV etc). It’s a massive succesful program, which suffers all the problems the BBC summaries will have:
– possibility to know the result before you watch the program,
– not live,
– only a summary.
But the program is very, very succesfull. And for the hardcore fans, there’s ‘Eredivisielive’ a subscription to watch the games live.
So, I think the Sky deal is bad for F1Fanatics, but for the casual fan, it might be a better deal. Think of it:
– a nice edit with all the action compressed in 75 minutes,
– a time slot in the evening, so you can do other things with your afternoon,
– And as a bonus : All the ‘bore’ can be editted out!
I think that if the BBC makes sure the summaries are of top quality and they find a suitable fixed slot, it good be big succes in attracting new (young) fans.
So, in my view it’s not entirely bad to try this concept out, as I know from my own experience it can be succesfull (I mean, the only football, except from World- or European Championships, I ever watched were summaries – if those weren’t there I wouldn’t have bothered at all).
Now, I do wish all the F1F’s that this petition gets through, but maybe the Sky deal is better for the sport then you think.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th August 2011, 18:20
That is an interesting thought Verstappen.
Calum
5th August 2011, 0:16
^^^
Signed.
Ads21 (@ads21)
5th August 2011, 0:21
Great of you to give the petition a boost Keith. If the F1 petition is the first to reach 100,000 signatures it’d be a massive deal. I usually think that e-petitions are a load of rubbish, but the mainstream media and politicians are watching these petitions to parliament. If we can beat Guido Fawkes and his Death Penalty campaign, and the EU Referendum Campaign by the Daily Express, then it might make Parliament consider making F1 a protected sport. Since FOTA is completely unwilling to stand up for fans, signing the petition is the only way for F1 fans in this country to make a meaningful protest about the long term damage the current deal will do to the popularity of motorsport in Britain.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
5th August 2011, 6:23
Good luck! I wish those of us outside the UK could sign it to give you a boost, but I’m sure it’ll get the needed support even within the UK.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 7:26
They are. The only one I know of that actually worked was from fans of the CBS series Jericho who wanted the network to un-cancel the series. The network listened, but the show got re-cancelled within six months.
FOTA have to look out for themselves first. If they don’t exist, the fans can’t exist. The money paid for the broadcast by the exclusive rights holder forms a significant share of the end-of-year pay-out to the teams – and in a lot of cases, that pay-out takes up a serious percentage of their budget for the next year. If FOTA somehow forced the sport to stay on free-to-air television, they’d be forced to take a major cut from the end-of-year pay-out (since the BBC would only be willing to pay the minimum price for the rights), which could potentially jeopardise the future of some teams. Look at Williams – they’ve been struggling a lot this year, the public floatation has been a disaster, and all that is really keeping them going is money from PDVSA and the FOM pay-out. If they decided to drop Pastor Maldonado at the end of this year and FOTA decided to force the sport to stay on free-to-air, Williams would have a drastically-reduced budget and would be at serious risk of closing.
Pinball
5th August 2011, 11:02
No, if the fans don’t exist, then the teams don’t exist, and there is no FOTA, and therefore no F1. Without fans there is no F1, but F1 doesn’t seem to understand that. Pushing the sport on to pay TV is a pretty good way to turn off the fans, and ultimately kill the sport.
Look after the fans (the real fans, not the corporate / celebrity) types and the rest will take care of itself.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 13:02
Which would be true if your assumption that only Britain has Formula 1 fans was actually correct.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 8:21
I know what you mean. But seeing as this is service set up by the government with the goal of bringing public initiatives into parliament, I think it’s worth a try.
The previous government had a similar system and in 2007 petition against road charging attracted millions of signatures. This arguably had an effect on policy.
And the government has a clear means to intervene on this via the protected events list (it’s a shame the petition’s originator didn’t think to include that in the description).
snowman
5th August 2011, 9:08
That petition is really badly worded, there is another much better wrote one but unfortunately it only has a 10th of the signatures of that one.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/46
For anybody like me who is not from the UK and can’t sign the goverment one you can show your support here. they already have 30,000 signed and target 1 million
http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/keepf1onthebbc
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 9:25
Splitting the effort between multiple petitions will obviously only weaken its force. The existing petition may not be perfect but it’s best that everyone focus their efforts on that one.
Tiomkin
5th August 2011, 11:27
The petition will be thrown out because it does not tell the facts.
BBC will show HALF the races, Sky will show ALL the races. Any lawyer worth his salt will nullify it because it is flawed and untrue.
The Best and only way to overturn this is NOT to pay SKY for the coverage. Simple. SKY fails to turn a profit, SKY won’t want F1 anymore. Please people do something constructive, boycott SKY.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 11:37
Everyone knows what the facts are, they’ve been covered amply in many places.
The petition is a protest, not a piece of journalism.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
5th August 2011, 9:28
I’m not going to sign it. Just because something is sent to debate to the Commons, what does it mean?
When F1 in Britain was threatened far more severely by the prospect of losing the British Grand Prix, Parliament did nothing. They will do nothing this time.
Petitions of the kind are nothing more than a pressure valve governments use to let people blow off a bit of steam and walk away knowing that “at least we fought the good fight”.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 9:36
Who knows? At the very least it would make for an interesting debate. They would have to give a good reason for why less popular sports are protected and F1 isn’t.
The only way you can be sure nothing will come of it is by not doing anything.
snowman
5th August 2011, 9:51
Yes, I understand splitting the effort is not good but figured it only takes a minute to sign.
@Icthyes, that is an incredibly negative attitude!! just sign it first then think them thoughts if you want! its not like a gigantic sacrifice to take a minute or so to sign the thing!
Icthyes (@icthyes)
5th August 2011, 11:02
I’m not sure they would give a good reason, just one they can hide behind.
I know I am being very negative, but I have little faith in our political system. Good luck to the campaign.
OldEarl
7th August 2011, 17:38
An interesting debate by people who know nothing about motorsport ? What about all the grass roots motor series which are never shown on free to air tv. Not heard one complaint about that.
BasCB (@bascb)
5th August 2011, 9:56
Why not sign, just to see them have to discuss this. How often can you get Parliament to talk about F1!
slr
5th August 2011, 12:26
Unfortunately I agree with Icthyes. The government is an absolute mess in my opinion. I can see the government spending two minutes maximum on this, and then moving on to another issue. I haven’t decided on whether I’ll sign or not, fortunately I have a year to decide.
James
5th August 2011, 12:24
Research Gain Theory. Four ways of looking at it. It’s a theory largely used in business, especially linked with Tobacco and TV advertising. Anyhow, I digress.
1) You sign it, it doesnt get discussed in Parliment. You’ve at least tried, you had a feeling it wouldnt anyway, and you can say “I told you so”.
2) You sign it, it does get discussed in Parliment. This is step number one to perhaps a resolution. Not guarenteed, it may not go any further than being mentioned in Parliment. But it has been made aware in Parliment.
3)You dont sign it, it does get discussed in Parliment. Again, it’s step one. It’s been raised by the people who represent us. The signatures can then say “we told you so”
4) You dont sign it, it doesnt get discussed in Parliment. Who knows, you might have been the extra signature which might have pushed the petition over the fresh hold? You didnt sign it, we wont know.
I’m not trying to bully people into it, just try it. It doesnt cost anything but a few minutes of your time. It might make a difference, it might not. Who knows?
hcw
5th August 2011, 13:15
Sorry I couldn’t resist:
Game Theory
Threshold
Otherwise I agree. It only takes a minute to sign. I think the first petition to reach 100k will warrant significant discussion in parliament, as they know they are under media scrutiny.
snowman
5th August 2011, 14:26
Can’t understand why people would not take one minute to sign the thing! It does not cost anything and does not adversely effect you in any way!! Maybe the chance is small of anything coming out of it but better a small chance than none at all.
@James, nice way of putting it.
James
5th August 2011, 14:34
Ha! My bad, bit of a dumb moment there…
ChimpSafari
5th August 2011, 14:17
I’m currently interning in an MPs office and I can say that these petitions do make a difference and MPs do listen.
They have to listen about issues that may seem irrelevant to them because they want our votes and they are elected to represent us.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th August 2011, 18:28
Best of reasons to sign, I would think. And you are fully right, off course. What PM would say no to gaining a positive note from up to 100.000 potential voters!
Thanks ChimpSafari for your contribution.
JPQuesado (@joao-pedro-cq)
5th August 2011, 0:24
I may not be British but I know what you would go through if that Sky deal goes on. Even if you would still get half of the races free.
Here in Portugal F1 is on pay TV since 2007 so I would know what you would feel. And it’s not nice….
davey (@djdaveyp87)
5th August 2011, 0:28
I’d like to do one of my rare point out the mistake posts and point out that quarter should read Quartet. :)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 0:42
Fixed, thanks.
@HoHum (@hohum)
5th August 2011, 14:21
Also, Department of…not Departure of..
Mike
5th August 2011, 1:02
So… If F1 is on free TV in the UK, it will go bust…
How the hell has it survived this long then? O.o
Guilherme (@the_philosopher)
5th August 2011, 1:24
Can non-british people sign this petition? I don’t watch F1 on the BBC, but I really want to help somehow.
James
5th August 2011, 1:44
You can, there is a tick box asking if you’re a UK citizen or not. I dunno whether non-UK votes are taken into consideration or not… Still, fight for the cause! =D
BasCB (@bascb)
5th August 2011, 7:23
I just filled in the form, but it does not allow non UK citizens or inhabitants to sign.
Suppose thats logical, as its meant to be part of the UK democracy. But i would have loved to have been able to put in a voice of support nontheless.
mi-jah
5th August 2011, 1:28
Is it of any use if people outside the UK also sign the petition?
Calum
5th August 2011, 2:30
Yes, if 100,000 names are on the petition it will be. Debated in UK parliament – regardless of nationality of signatures. ;)
Join the cause!
US_Peter (@us_peter)
5th August 2011, 6:26
Oh really? I didn’t think we could sign it. I’ll go give the ol’ John Hancock right away!
BasCB (@bascb)
5th August 2011, 7:24
No, I just tried. It allows UK citizens and people currently domiciled in the UK only.
PieLighter
5th August 2011, 6:24
I would think so as lots of other countries use the BBC commentary.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 7:20
Yes, but we don’t necessarily follow the BBC exactly. Here in Australia, we get the BBC commentary, but with regular ads breaks, which are often bookened by interjections from the idiot commentators down here. Next year, we’re getting the Sky feed.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 7:47
Afraid not, as it’s going before the British parliament and they’re not accountable to those outside Britain.
ajokay (@)
5th August 2011, 9:13
You have to give a UK address to sign the petition, so unless you can find one, you won’t be able to.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 9:20
Expect that they will do basic checks to see that those who have filled in the petitions are within the UK when they do so. A high proportion of complete forms from outside the UK would look suspicious. So however much those not in the UK would like to help out, it’s best that they don’t!
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 1:30
I have a feeling that it’s not going to be so simple as petitioning the government to force the sport to stay free-to-air. It’s going to be the start of a long, hard fight. And I strongly suspect that if it’s successful and Formula 1 stays on free-to-air, the BBC is going to strip down its coverage. No doubt there will be ad-breaks, delayed telecasts and te removal of the pre- and post-race shows.
Which, of course, is going to make everyone very upset because they are trying to have their cake and eat it, too. If the fans want Formula 1 to stay on free-to-air television, they’re going to have to make some sacrifices – and I bet 90% of them will refuse.
James
5th August 2011, 1:47
I wouldnt mind there being a “studio team”, i.e. Jake, Eddie and one or two others doing the build up followed by a commentary team, i.e. Brundle, Coulthard, Crofty and Davidson (delete as appropriate for commentary) with pit crews of Ted Kravitz, Lee Mckenzie, Natalie Pinkham and Jennie Gow (delete as approriate again, although Ted has to stay…!).
This would drastically reduce production costs, whilst maintaining a fairly high standard of entertainment.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
5th August 2011, 6:35
For perspective, SPEED has their three main commentators at HQ in Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as their entire production crew watching FOM feeds in an editing suite that looks like mission control. They have a whopping staff of 1 (Will Buxton) on the ground at the races. They don’t even send a cameraman, that’s provided to them by FOM. Obviously the BBC has much more extensive coverage than SPEED, but relatively speaking I think SPEED gets way more mileage out of their personnel and could provide a model for how the BBC could drastically cut production costs and maintain a similar level of production quality.
BasCB (@bascb)
5th August 2011, 9:59
Yeah, I think that would certainly be an option to save production/travel money.
James
5th August 2011, 1:48
Besides, when I sit down after having a sandwich on a sunday for the F1, I do so largely because of the race, not because of the build up. The race is 95% of the show to my mind.
Cacarella
5th August 2011, 1:54
Oh god…
must resist the desire to respond to this…
help me lord…
It’ll just go into moderation anyway so it’s not worth it…
give me strength…
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 2:11
The BBC cut down their Formula 1 coverage to reduce costs. Do you honestly think that if they – or any other free-to-air network – are forced to keep the sport, that they are going to keep the sport exactly as it is now? Of course not! They’ll scratch and scrimp for every penny they can save, and that means scaling back the coverage. You’ll get the races, but you probably won’t get too much else. And, naturally, the fans will complain about this.
There’s a very real chance that if the petition goes through, there will be no coverage of Formula 1 at all. The government can only force the sport to be broadcast on free-to-air, but that doesn’t mean it has to be broadcast at all. If the BBC doesn’t want it and the other free-to-air networks pass up on it because it is too expensive, what do you think will happen next? You’ll no doubt claim there is a large enough fanbase to stop that from happening, but considering the fact that it costs forty million pounds to broadcast the sport, a lost of broadcasters will be hard-pressed to justify the expense.
Chintz
5th August 2011, 2:23
No. You are wrong. So wrong. WRONG. If you is going to post like this in our site, we don’t want you hear.
jsw11984 (@jarred-walmsley)
5th August 2011, 2:48
Just because he is saying something that you don’t want to hear doesn’t mean it’s not true. It’s basic economics, forced broadcast = high cost = cutting costs = ad breaks/basic coverage.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 3:10
Thanks, Jarred.
And as Paul Hembrey pointed out, a few weeks ago, there was no free coverage of Formula 1 planned for 2012.
Journeyer (@journeyer)
5th August 2011, 2:06
Ad breaks on the BBC? The world will probably end before that happens.
Delayed telecasts? That’s what they’re getting from 2012 on the BBC anyway.
Removal of pre- and post-race shows? I will give you credit for that. That is actually a serious possibility, especially with the Forum. But I honestly think most people will take that and be happy with it – They need to cover everything from the 5-minute warning up to the TV unilaterals anyway.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 2:16
I still don’t think it will be enough for some fans. A lot of them, actually. Everyone keeps talking about how the coverage is the best it has ever been; do you think they will willingly accept anything less?
Journeyer (@journeyer)
5th August 2011, 3:23
In a word, yes.
I think a lot of people acknowledge that cuts at the BBC were always inevitable. It’s just that no one thought it would be this drastic. Having seen the worst-case scenario, they’ll now take what they can. Long-time F1 viewers would be more than familiar with this type of thinking thanks to the efforts of an M. Mosley and a B. Ecclestone.
Journeyer (@journeyer)
5th August 2011, 3:25
All this is assuming, of course, that all 20 races would’ve been shown live. Nothing more, nothing less.
Katy (@katy)
5th August 2011, 7:56
I’d 100% rather have worse coverage either with ad breaks or minimal buildup instead of having to pay several hundred pounds to watch it. Obviously I speak purely for myself but I’m sure I’m not the only person who feels like this. Although had it gone to Channel 4…well, I’d rather pay for Sky than that I think haha.
Anyway, I signed the petition, not sure what good it’ll do but it’s worth a try!
Rob
5th August 2011, 9:07
I wouldn’t be so quick to knock Channel 4, Katy! Their cricket coverage was very good, I thought – maybe not really comparable to Sky’s but not a disaster by any means.
verstappen (@verstappen)
5th August 2011, 21:24
Maybe sky Will offer a pay per race deal to watch online, maybe that could be the outcome of the petitions…
BasCB (@bascb)
5th August 2011, 7:26
Sure, a petition is only a sign and a step in the process.
Hardly anyone would object to the BBC cutting down on the team to save money. They could show FP1-FP3 on the Red Button only for example.
Ads are not allowed on the BBC, so that is not an option for them though.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 8:53
Even if it meant coverage of a lower quality than it is now? One of the major sub-plots I’ve noticed over the past week is people commenting that Formula 1 coverage is the best it has ever been, and that Sky will inevitably make worse coverage by cutting out some of the current features. So I think that if the BBC kept the sport entirely and trimmed out a few features, people would be upset. Perhaps not as upset as they are at the prospect of pay-per-view, but I think there would be quite a few complaints.
bosyber
5th August 2011, 9:27
That’s because you have been reading those with an eye to find ammunition to counter every argument. But in this post you actually end up agreeig with what Bas just said.
In fact, many people have said they don’t care about how good Sky could be, because they won’t/can’t get it.
Others have said that it is sad to see BBC go from great coverage to only showing half the races live.
The main point in that is not so much that the BBC did a great job, which they did, but that the rising audience it has created, with clearly more casual fans being drawn in too, will suffer greatly from this deal, as they can’t just casually follow it – they need to keep track of when a race is on BBC, or already have Sky sports.
If the BBC were to cut costs in the way Bas was speaking about, it would be a loss, true, but not as big a loss as the Sky deal, as it would still make those who have become casual fans able to switch on and watch.
hcw
5th August 2011, 13:31
The main expense for the BBC is the broadcasting rights (money paid to good ‘ol Bernie) and not the production cost of the buildup/forum. I don’t think making the buildup in a studio in Salford would change much to the overall production cost. There is also no revenue generating broadcasting time (advertisements) on BBC so moving these segments online/cutting them won’t lead to any savings.
However, if F1 is put onto the protected events list for free-to-air broadcasting, Bernie will only be able to negotiate with the free-to-air channels. So sky cannot price-out everyone else. If that is the case, BBC will be in a much better position to negotiate. (Unless ITV/Channel 4 are wanting to compete, which they aren’t)
@HoHum (@hohum)
5th August 2011, 14:42
Agree, someone needs to call Bernies bluff,if F1 was not broadcast in a major market like Britain the loss in advertising revenue would make the broadcast revenue look like a drop in a bucket.
People keep talking about how the teams won’t be able to survive without this extra income, what people fail to mention is that 12 teams share only half the income, Bernie gets the other half all to himself, it is this greed that is causing the teams to cut back on expenditure ( or cheat ) remember also that the big teams get most of the money from that half of the income,the lesser teams fight for crumbs and it is the cost of keeping a lesser team going that is supposed to be the budget for all teams, meaning big profits for the successful teams not just a decent living for all involved.
@HoHum (@hohum)
5th August 2011, 14:47
Also please don’t tell me Bernie is only an employee of CVC and therefore only gets a small share.Bernie sold his share to CVC for Billions and therefore has been paid in advance for the income and also retains a substantial shareholding in CVC.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 15:14
That’s not even close to how it works. The Concorde Agreement only states that Formula 1 should be on free-to-air “where possible”. If Formula 1 becomes protected, Bernie does indeed have to deal with the free-to-air networks – but there is nothing stopping him from talking with a broadcaster in another country for the exclusive rights. In that case, the British networks would only get a syndicated feed (like the rest of the world does). With no direct control over the coverage, the British networks would have to pay FOM and the new rights holder for syndication rights, in which case the edict issued by the House of Commons protecting Formula 1 will not apply because it will not be a British-based sport.
This isn’t some bluff to try and get a better deal out of the BBC. Paul Hembrey’s tweet makes it clear that the BBC gave up on Formula 1 weeks ago. The deal was clearly forged between the BBC and Sky, and presented to Bernie and the teams.
Besides, documents have been signed.
@HoHum (@hohum)
5th August 2011, 15:25
PM, it may be too late for the current contract but not for other countries and later negotiations. Hopefully Fota will grow some cojones and re-negotiate the concorde with a more equitable share of income going to the teams (like 90%).Sometimes I wonder who else Bernie has paid off to keep this outrageous windfall profit.
John H
6th August 2011, 10:24
BBC does not do ad-breaks period.
And compared to being able to watch races live, who really gives a monkeys about the build up – something you can do online anyway.
We don’t want to be able to have our cake and eat it, a plain ham sandwich would do just fine – so long as the ham is included.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
5th August 2011, 3:19
Happy Birthday to Katy and Paul Gawne.
Hope the Fans petition work for the UK F1 fan & they will be able to see the race in free air.
Hairpin (@hairpin)
5th August 2011, 4:08
Look all of you on hear talking about ad breaks are obviously not from Britain so you sound silly talking about you know what will happen, you don’t.
I’m sure it’s been explained before but here goes again.
The BBC don’t run ads as such at all, the only ads they do are for forthcoming shows, films or programs that will be showing in the near future. I for one wouldn’t mind them showing paying ads to increase revenue, they don’t have to cut into programs, just show them between programs as they do now advertising their own programs. But of course they wont because any rational, practical steps to increase or adjust revenue will not be tolerated by the BBC or the Government.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 7:18
I think I may have just found an obscure reference to Keith. He’s not mentioned by name, but the book I’m reading right now – Roadside Crosses – deals with a politically-charged blog connected to a string of murders in Southern California. The reference came in an Exposition Dump about weblogs, and I kind of skimmed through it (because Exposition Dumps are a very low literary tactic), but one character was recounting the history of blogging and made a passing reference to British sports journalists. Given that the author’s latest novel make reference to Formula 1 four times in about a hundred pages, I wonder if the “British sports journalists” might be referring to Keith.
BasCB (@bascb)
5th August 2011, 8:50
Nice find, might it be … Keith a figure of literature :-)
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 8:56
Well, he’s not named, but I saw the reference to “British sports journalists” and the author’s frequent references to Formula 1 (and I just spotted Laguna Seca rating a mention for no reason at all), and figured maybe the author is, at least, a follower.
@HoHum (@hohum)
5th August 2011, 14:52
Right, and afterall Keith is the only british journalist with a F1 blog so it must be him.
Next step look for something that could be slanderous and Keith can sue for billions and pay the rights fee to keep F1 on the beeb.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 15:17
I may a fun observation based on a passing reference and here you go having to drag politics into it.
Ironically enough, outrageous statments posted anonymously on weblogs is a major plot point for Roadside Crosses.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 23:30
It’s an interesting theory! But I think in all likelihood it’s probably someone better-known he has in mind. Not that my ego wouldn’t have me think otherwise.
Mads (@mads)
5th August 2011, 7:44
Can’t BBC just show adds before and after the races? I would gladly have to watch a few commercials before and after the race if that could keep F1 on BBC.
Public Service channels are in trouble all over the world, because they don’t raise enough money. But we still have breaks between the programs anyway, they are just filled with 2 minutes of nothing, why can’t they trow a couple of commercial adds in those 2 minutes instead? I mean, no add breaks, that is horrible! Just between each program.
I know there are rules about these public service channels, but i don’t think it would be a bad thing at all. If they brought back commercials that could easily raise money enough to broadcast F1, like twice.
Hairpin (@hairpin)
5th August 2011, 22:37
I’ve already written all that above, can’t you write something of your own instead of just copying someone else’s.
alexf1man
5th August 2011, 8:02
I’ve put my name on there, definitely something of massive importance given our two British champions, a third British driver, 8 Britain-based teams and all those British engineers :-)
The exceptions are Ferrari, Sauber, Toro Rosso and Hispania (I think).
Almost 5,000 people already!!! Hope it results in what we really need i.e. 20 free to air races on the BBC, and therefore commentary for countries such as Australia :-)
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 8:54
Australia will be getting the Sky Sports feed. Whatever they show will be seen on our screens.
@HoHum (@hohum)
5th August 2011, 14:54
ON FOXTEL no doubt.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 15:18
No, Channel Ten have confirmed that they will continue to broadcast races from the primary source – Sky – just as they have been doing for years.
Ady
5th August 2011, 9:02
As a fan my investment in a sport is my time. It is this time and investment that is subsequently turned into a product and sold to advertisers, allowing the top sports personalities to obtain the huge fees they get paid.
This also makes the TV networks want to buy into a sport, to increase their own advertising revenue or simply buy more viewers (in the case of the BBC).
To request that fans also pay to watch the sport, ignores the investment that they are already making, and the history of why the sport is in the position it is.
In short, it’s the fans that make sport profitable because of their time, their payment is their entertainment.
Spark
5th August 2011, 9:35
Bit of a poor showing so far, only 5000 Signatures. everyone will need to link it on facebook and other places.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 9:47
The site was working maybe one time out of 20 for me yesterday, it was hideously slow.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 9:59
Not to mention the fact that it has only just been created. What are you expecting, Spark? That the petition would get the required 100,000 signatures in time for the House of Commons to discuss it today?
Spark
5th August 2011, 12:59
Didn’t check the date, assumed that the later petitions had been rejected, first ones started on 29th. That’s a little odd isn’t it? Do you think they add signatures from rejected ones on? 1200 added since my last comment. At that rate no, I don’t reckon it will hit target today, but in about 4-6 days.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 15:20
The point I’m trying to make is that the petition has only just gone live. Expecting a hundred thousand signatures to a petition in the middle of a working week is just a tad unrealistic. There is no time limit on the petition – it will be reviewed by the House of Commons once it receives one hundred thousand signatories, whether it takes a week, a month or a year to get them all.
Spark
5th August 2011, 20:26
It’s OK, i got your point. ;)
BasCB (@bascb)
8th August 2011, 18:32
By Friday evening it was to over 10.000 and by now it has some 13.400. That is in 1/10tho in just 2 working days, and 13% needed in only 3 days, so that is not bad at all.
vjanik
5th August 2011, 9:42
a reply to the comment of the day.
A Prius has a larger carbon footprint before it even turns a wheel, than an F1 car or a Ferrari. An Fi car is used for one year only. It is built in one of the most efficient, eco-friendly factories in the world. Its built at one location. The fuel spent during the 20 races it does is almost nothing compared to the amount of energy that it takes to produce a Pris, which uses parts from all over the world being transported by airplanes and huge ships. The fuel saving you get from the hybrid motor would have to run for decades to get to break-even. And as for supercars like Ferraris and McLarens, they are used on special occasions and spend most of their life in the garage. If everyone treated and used their cars like they did Ferraris we would get rid of congestion in a single day.
So I dont really see the logic in using the eco argument here. If manufacturers really do that, then its because their customers are thick and just go for the highest miles/gallon figure rather than thinking what is actualy behind these cars.
If we stopped making new cars all the time and reused the old ones, the overall carbon emissions would be much lower. yes the older cars are less efficient, but the fact thatwe keep producing newer and newer models is much worse than the actual mileage. For car manufacturers its all about economic growth, not the environment. And they pay a lot of money to make people believe its the opposite. And judging from people comments and buying behaviors it seems to be working. Just propaganda.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 10:23
Taking a closer look at that petition, I think it might be dead in the water already. Take a look at the wording of it:
The wording of certain sentences mean that this is not a particularly strong petition. Observe:
Patently untrue. The BBC have stated that they will show ten races live, and extended highlights of the remaining ten races on a delayed broadcast. All twenty Grands Prix are being covered; this statement, however, suggests that the BBC will only show ten races.
Formula 1 will be on free-to-air next year, albeit in a reduced form. But all twenty races are being broadcast – nothing is being held back. Secondly, the Concorde Agreement does not prevent a shared free-to-air/pay-per-view arrangement. The teams would not have agreed to it if the Concorde did not.
In addition to this, the “where possible” is open to interpretation. If no free-to-air networks are willing to broadcast Formula 1, then it is not possible to keep Formula 1 on free-to-air. Based on the wording of the petition, it may be argued that the Concorde Agreement only gives free-to-air networks priority over pay-per-view, and that the sport may only be broadcast on pay-per-view when certain conditions are met. If the Concorde Agreement says anything differently, then it is a failure of the petition to communicate this because the House of Commons will only debate the contents of the petition.
Whether or not it is possible is not the issue here. Whether ot not it is feasible, however, is the issue. The BBC have demonstrated that they can broadcast every race live. They also, however, make no secret of the fact that they are scaling back their coverage as a way of cutting costs.
I believe the government only has the power to make the sport a free-to-air exclusive. It cannot, however, force any broadcaster to show the sport. If the sport is protected, the BBC may elect not to show anything at all because they cannot justify the costs. If other broadcasters feel the same way, they may elect not to pick up Formula 1, either. In such a case, a broadcaster from outside the UK would pick up the exclusive rights. British networks would only pay for syndication, and there is nothing in the Concorde Agreement that states the sport must be broadcast on free-to-air television in Britain. It is likely that the clause demanding “free-to-air whenever possible” only applies to the home country of the exclusive rights holder. In just such a scenario, it is possible that Sky Sports could out-bid all other British networks and be the sole broadcaster of the sport in the UK.
The bottom line is this: the petition is calling for Formula 1 to stay on free-to-air television in 2012. The Sky-BBC arrangement will show Formula 1 on free-to-air television. It also satisfies the terms of the Concorde Agreement. So, technically, the wording of the petition supports the Sky-BBC deal because that deal meets all of the conditions laid out by the petition. This might sound like a semantic difference, but government policy is often dictated by semantics – just look at the “pink batts” episode here in Australia: the government offered a subsidy on insulation batts to home-owners. A lot of people raced out and got them installed cheaply by uncertified companies, with the end result being that houses posed an electrocution risk. There were several episodes where workmen died because the work meant that wiring in the house was not properly grounded. And all because the government did not specify that the insulation had to be installed by accredited companies.
That’s the problem with the petition – it can easily be argued that the 2012 broadcast arrangement satisfies every sentence of it.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 10:32
I wouldn’t nit-pick on the wording of the petition. People wouldn’t be signing it if they felt the 2012 arrangement was in any way satisfactory.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 10:53
Unless each and every single member of the House of Commons is a Formula 1 fan, there’s going to be opposition to this petition in the parliament. And they’re going to use the wording of the petition to shoot holes in the case for it.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 11:42
I think you’re wrong, and we won’t find out which one of us is right until they’re discussing it.
slr
5th August 2011, 12:32
I have to agree with PM here.
@HoHum (@hohum)
5th August 2011, 15:01
After this petition reaches its 100,000 figure, star a new petition protesting the BBC dropping its most popular sports program.
If its about F1, Bernie and Ron Dennis will tell parliament what to think.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 15:22
And do what? The government cannot force the BBC to broadcast programs that the network does not want to broadcast. Especially one as expensive as Formula 1. You might as well ask them to turn the sky pink while you’re at it.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th August 2011, 18:37
Ehm, PM, you certainly do know that the BBC is the UKs national broadcaster?
That means that the Government is perfectly capable of “forcing” the BBC to show something they deem nessicary.
Spark
5th August 2011, 13:16
I very much doubt that the exact wording of the petition will effect the way in which MP’s discuss the subject.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 13:51
I’ve just clearly demonstrated that the Sky-BBC broadcasting arrangement satisfies every element of the petition. You don’t think someone will mention this?
Spark
5th August 2011, 15:18
You are missing the point, once the subject of F1 being moved from free to air is brought up the MP’s discussion won’t be restricted by the exact wording of the petition.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 15:26
<blockquote.You are missing the point, once the subject of F1 being moved from free to air is brought up the MP’s discussion won’t be restricted by the exact wording of the petition.
It still doesn’t change the fact that certain statements are misleading. The fan campaign is based on the idea that Formula 1 will no longer be available on free-to-air television. But it will be – the BBC will be showing all twenty races, either wholly or partially. The petition is trying to get Formula 1 to stay on free-to-air television, but because of the terms of the broadcast deal, it will be staying. It just won’t be as full and complete as everyone wants it to be. And I think you’re taking liberties with your suggestion that discussion will branch out from the petition – the House of Commons can only really discuss the proposal set before them, and that proposal is outlined in the petition. They might diversify the discussion outwards, but when push comes to shove, they will come back to the issue at hand, as laid out by the petition.
I shudder to think of what will happen if the petition fails.
Spark
5th August 2011, 20:30
My personal opinion is that it’s academic really, even if the wording was perfect I don’t think that the deal will be stopped. It’s worth the effort though, fingers crossed I’m wrong.
BBT (@bbt)
5th August 2011, 11:46
I’ve signed every petition I can find, including the official one.
jack
5th August 2011, 11:58
Hi guys on the subject of this petition
Paul hembery has retweeted this petition
3086 followers lets hope he gets some retweets also asked a lot of other f1 ppl to retweet
Marcello
5th August 2011, 12:20
Hello Keith, in regards to the government petition on free to air f1, we have only collected 6000 odd signatures so far, and we need 100000 for the government to sit up and take notice. How can we drumup more support? How many followers do you have on this site?
Thanks
Marcello
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 12:32
I would start with Twitter – it’s immediate, you can see who the big influencers are and who’s got the most followers. Look for major figures with big follower counts. You might some ideas here: F1 Fanatic Twitter Directory
Look for all the other petitions, Facebook groups and so on (there have been various links posted in the forum here) where people have congregated in protest and encourage them to put their effort behind this petition.
Stress that this is a government petition, not just some random thing set up on a website with no links to anyone who’s accountable.
And remind people that for their signature to count, they need to reply to the automatic email that comes back (which could easily end up in people’s spam folders).
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 12:56
Bear in mind that it’s only been active for a day or two. It’s not like the government has said “get one hundrdd thousand signatures in a week, or we will ignore the petition and all future ones on the subject”.
graham228221
5th August 2011, 13:04
It’s also, thankfully, beating the petition to restore capital punishment, despite it getting much less attention in the media.
graham228221
5th August 2011, 12:35
The government legislating that an entire sport should be available on free-to-air television?
Sorry, but I doubt that would ever happen and there’s no precedent for it at all. Important sporting events, sure, but a whole sport?
graham228221
5th August 2011, 12:36
Apologies for being the negative nancy!
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
5th August 2011, 13:36
You could argue it’s more important than say the Olympics for example.
debaser91
5th August 2011, 14:58
You could argue that, and you would be very wrong.
@HoHum (@hohum)
5th August 2011, 15:10
Graham has a point, if it was the British GP it would be a good, but already conceded argument. The thrust of the argument needs to be about the BBC selling of a program which a large group of fee-payers watch and want to be able to continue watching in return for the fee they pay.
Sam
5th August 2011, 12:39
“Departure for Culture, Media and Sport” – all too true Freudian typo. :D
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
5th August 2011, 13:35
Although the new deal with Sky, BBC and FOM doesn’t affect me I have signed the petition. I can’t bare to think that so many will miss out :(
I do believe in a fair process and would like to know more about the inner-workings of the deal.
Chalky
5th August 2011, 13:39
I just read the “Would race-date change affect F1 subsidy? (Austin-American Statesman)” article.
Can I just say, after reading the full article and the comments, that I’m glad that the F1Fanatic community still manage a civilised and polite debate on F1 topics in the comments sections.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th August 2011, 13:53
Although lately there has been the disturbing trend of posting “First!” whenever a new article goes up. I’ve only ever seen that over at Ain’t It Cool News.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 23:31
If I’ve failed to delete any, bring it to my attention.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 23:32
Glad to hear it!
Funkyf1
5th August 2011, 14:12
In regards to Bernie having to screw the whole calendar up due to the Bahrain Gp dates…… Its just a polite way of saying ” they are paying me so much money, I better do what they want”.
@HoHum (@hohum)
5th August 2011, 15:12
Or, we may need to dump them again.
Paul A (@paul-a)
5th August 2011, 14:19
Following many comments that non-UK fans cannot sign the e-gov petition: I still hold an [expired, but valid] UK passport left over from when I became a naturalized Canuck (“dual citizenship” is the default); I am domiciled in Canada and have not owned property in the UK since 1972 [but am entitled to a very small UK OAP.]
I had no problems signing the HM Gov e-petition, got an email to click/confirm and a “thank you – your signature has been added.”
Here in Canada, many of us are concerned because our F1 live coverage (TSN) uses the BBC feed (ITV before that) and my “informal” contacts at TSN say that there is no way they can do a deal with Sky (I don’t know if that’s for financial or political reasons.) We can pay for Speed Channel (USA) but they get blacked out regularly (at least six GPs every year, mostly in favour of Fox Sports which we cannot get, and anyway the BBC commentary is far superior.
George (@george)
5th August 2011, 17:23
On the subject of protected sports events, I think the current agreement will probably cover the maximum you’d get from that (the British Grand Prix plus highlights of the rest), judging by the small amount of sports the rest of the list, especially when it concerns year-long seasons.
cubejam (@cubejam)
5th August 2011, 18:06
The government rejected them by the way.
Scudderite (@scudderite)
5th August 2011, 18:26
I personally think it is much more important to retain the ban on Capital Punishment, but nevertheless, I signed the F1 petition. I would be disappointed if that got more signatures than the anti-Capital Punishment one though.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th August 2011, 23:33
Well, I doubt they’re mutually exclusive!
Mild7nick (@mild7nick)
6th August 2011, 9:54
I think people need to let it go, the deal is signed, sealed and delivered and nothing, especially a debate by MP’s is going to change that now.
Time to move on
Dot Kewley
6th August 2011, 12:56
e petition now has 10,000 signatures! if you are on any other social network site please post the link, huge response yesterday after a few twitter posts.
clerkofthecourse
6th August 2011, 14:00
There are better things for Parliament to be discussing. Our useless MPs shouldn’t be further distracted by a frippery like TV coverage of F1.
Dot Kewley
6th August 2011, 14:57
For F1 fans this is an important e petition, e petitions have recently been launched and the full description of there value can be read by putting the term into a well known search engine. Save F1 on free to air is currently 2nd in the signatures submitted, 1st is bring back the death penalty. I hope that offers some clarification.
Jeff usa
6th August 2011, 15:31
Here in the states F1 is on Rupert murdoch’s sub-par speed channel,no comparison to the superior BBC coverage.
Pigeon
11th August 2011, 0:04
Now that we know for sure that Channel 4 wanted F1, and was turned down in favour of the BBC/Sky deal, it seems even more worthwhile signing the petitions and lobbying MPs and other public figures. There is a FTA option, and we need the BBC/Sky deal to be challenged by people with enough power to make it go away.
And … shame on Bernie and on the BBC, for not giving a damn about UK’s F1 fans.
Jane Hunt
12th September 2011, 16:50
I was told that it was either Wimbledon or F1. Here’s an idea charge the tennis players every time they grunt and put the money towards F1. F1 would finish up making a profit for the BBC!
Alan OBy
13th September 2011, 7:49
As I`ve been bound and gagged by terms and conditions, I will politely say “I object to SKY running, or should that be, ruining, F1”.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th September 2011, 7:56
I’m not aware of any comments from you that have been blocked or removed from the site. If you think there has been please get in touch here:
https://www.racefans.net/credits-and-contacts/contact-f1fanatic/
Alan OBy
13th September 2011, 10:03
There aren`t any. I`m just conforming to comment protocol.
mike ricketts
28th November 2011, 20:06
As usual we just about get it right for once (BBC coverage with the team) and Bernie decides to cock it up. I will never subscribe to a bent australian media company, so F1 fanatic or not, I and I suspect many like me will just switch off and do something else. Stuff him, will he get the F1 fanatics back again in 2019. I doubt it, they will all be improving their golf handicap again.