Sky vs. ITV vs. Speed Channel

[Spritle]

Being here in the States the only F1 TV feed available, (I think), is Speed Channel. We also get a few, (Monaco, Canada, and U.S.), on ABC, a major TV newtork, (I think it was ABC). Unfortunately, ABC did show Monaco on a delay, AFTER they broadcast the Indy 500 live.

But other than that, I think the ABC coverage was better for one reason:

Speed Channel has more commercials that Schumacher has wins!! They break constantly with average breaks being at least 4 commercials or more which is 2-3 laps or more. What is particularly annoying is when they have to get that last break in with 7 or less laps to go. I'm amazed I got to see the last 5 laps uninterrupted today. When I watched the ABC races, there was definitely less commercial breaks.

So my questions are: How is the Sky coverage and ITV in regards to commercial breaks? Has anyone seen all of the various TV coverage to make a comparison?

I could always record the races and fast forward through the commercials but what the heck is live TV for?? Of course I realize that commercials are a necessary evil but it just pi$$es me off watching 200 commercials for BMW and other stuff!!!!

[Damon]

Sky has zero adverts, not a one. That's fantastic in itself but add to that superior coverage both on track and behind the scenes, Ben Edwards and John Watson on commentary and above all no James Allen!!!

[Raven]

Sky carries the interactive F1 Digital+ feed which is PPV and 100% ad free. ITV, when I used to watch it last year, was quite similar to what you described.

[LucaBadoer]

F1 digital + is the best thing ever, but we need Perry back! Just having Jonathan Green or Jonathan Hart with Matt Lorenzo on the Master channel is ****


PLEASE COME BACK, PERRY!!!

[Sato san]

F1 DIGTIAL is the best coverage of any motor racing events ive ever seen .

camera are great , they have live pit to car radios , onboard cameras on every car , great commentry , NO ADVERTS , every practice session , qualifing session and all races LIVE .

you can choose between watching the main battle at the front , of following the midfield runners instead as they battle over the minor positions .....

I could go on and on here...

only negative thing about it that i can think of , is that Perry McCarthy hasnt been on the sky team for the last few races .

[Number Juan]

i have watched bits or fragments of F1 Digital+ and everytime i do my heart always drops just seeing what im missing. it's like the worst feeling ever. and it makes you think "no wonder i always nap during the race" because you do miss so much - radio's, an in-car CHANNEL as well as really cool and contempary on-screen graphics. sharp images and sharp sounds. the camera angles rule as well. youve got camera's in the pits, on helicopters, on-track in the curbs, in-cars (more than one view as well) and camera's so close to the action you think you can almost smell it.

however, ITV's commentary is really really good - you have no idea how funny Martin Brundle is and all his "stella" remarks.

[Spritle]

Well I guess it's time to move to the UK or get a GIANT satellite dish because I also watched the CART Vancouver race today on Speed Channel and there was nowhere near the number of commercials as there are on an F1 race.