Speedvision to lose F1 coverage in the US ?

[Murph]

Found this on the Autorace.com website...

"ABC to take over US F1 television coverage from Speedvision

*
Reports in the USA Today stated on Thursday that ABC Sports is gearing up to take over the F1 television coverage from Speedvision, starting at the 2001 US GP on 30 September.

IMS president Tony George commented with: "It's close, but it's not a done deal. I think it's going to happen."

In turn IMS spokesperson Fred Nation added: "We're working on it. It's very close."

They anticipate to broadcast four of five F1 races in 2002 on ABC with the remaining broadcasted live on ESPN and George elaborated with: "We're trying to convince them that it's a good package. We'll (eventually) give them 34 races, split equally on both networks. There are a lot of synergies and cross-promotional opportunities (between F1 and Indy Racing)."


This is the ultimate nightmare scenerio.... Tony George, ABC, & ESPN controlling F1 coverage for us Yanks..... I realize that at first glance it looks good...f1 on a major network....plus the cable monster known as ESPN. Lots of quanity........but I fear for the quality of said coverage...... I would imagine that live coverage of qualifying will disapear and we can forget about the 1 hour of friday practice highlights that Speedvision carries. As far as the announcer crew that ESPN/ABC would have for f1.....unless they can bring back the "wee Scot" to reprise his role when ESPN first covered f1...whose out there ? That damn Tony George...... he screws up open wheel racing in the states....now he tries to package his garbage with f1.................I'm sick

Murph

[botsquad]

jeezzz.. i need a drink..
hands shakiing......

no...this cant be true.....

i can see it now.......

jpm wins the 2002 uspg....and as we see a close-up of tony
waving the checkerd flag....

we hear.....jackaroot saying..

due to contractual obligations we will be unable to show
the podium celibration or post race interviews....

we now join the 'great moments in bowling' already in progress

[BBKing]

Do what I do. Get the Canadian coverage by TSN which is available in some networks. It costs a little bit more but is worth it.

[JeremySmith]

**** it!!!! you have got to be joking right?

[Victor Broccoli]

This...sucks. The coverage of Speedvision is only getting better and better (they've started doing practice sessions). Plus, the fact that Speedvision is going to be an integral part of NASCAR coverage (as well as CART coverage). Due to the age-old idea of supply and demand (and with massive demand for NASCAR), it'd only be inevitable that Speedvision gets on more cable systems and eventually joins the second tier of sports cable stations (anything that isn't ESPN-owned, due to the Draconian clutch that ESPN maintains).

So, at this wonderful juncture, Bernie picks this of all times to jump off the boat and jump to ABC, who is best known for the post-race interview during the cool-down lap and then promptly switching to bowling).

This...sucks. But at least there won't be any more ads for Newark Paint during the telecast.

[Epsilon]

They'll probably demand to have Regis Philbin present one of the trophies! But it could be worse. They could actually do the podium ceremony the way the Sporting Regs say and get George W. Bush to present the winner's trophy.. "That was an excellentable race Mr. Schumacher!"

Seriously, the only thing that would bug me about this is the way ABC always sticks those dumb computerized graphics onto everything. If Tag Heuer is fine for us, why can't it (or Omega in CART) ever be good enough for the USA?

[EERO]

Originally posted by Victor Broccoli
[B...Bernie picks this of all times to jump off the boat and jump to ABC, who is best known for the post-race interview during the cool-down lap and then promptly switching to bowling).

This...sucks. But at least there won't be any more ads for Newark Paint during the telecast. [/B]

Tony ****ing George, the Focus of all Evil.

Bob Varsha has just announced that Speedvision is still going after F1, despite the published reports.

Victor, your comments had me howling. Funny, but terribley depressing.

[Nicholas]

Unlucky, guys... Doesn't Lucabadoer have some f1 coverage on his site???

[Nicholas]

I hate it when it switches over when the cool down lap is not yet over. This year at Spain, being a JV fan I wanted to see the podium celebrations and the conference, but everyone else in the room wanted damned football

[Victor Broccoli]

Nicolas...everyone's sentiment. The switch before the end of the cooldown lap is horrible. And the interview during the cooldown lap is even worse. I can just imagine how bad it'll be:

Jack: Juan Pablo, congratulations on your first F1 win.
JPM: *garbled mess* shhcnnt pschnnt nshtcnht
Jack: How did you ever manage to pass Michael on the final lap?
JPM: *still static* Nshncht ransht nshtnht gandght
Jack: We seem to have problems hearing Juan Pablo.
JPM: *even more static* Nschnt rnschnt pschnct
Jack: One last question: do you miss CART?
JPM: No
Jack: Thanks Juan. And now, to some golf tournament with a bunch of people that aren't Tiger Woods.

While you Britons may not occasionally get the race live, you also don't get to follow the "Adventures of Arizona Ralph" from Newark Paint that seem to run roughly twice every commercial break.

[Gvonne]

During the race one one of the Speedvision announcers said that ABC does have the rights to the "live" broadcast of the race but Speedvision will, as always, have the rights to the "international feed". He didnt say whether or not they will simulcast the race but he was VERY clear on stating that Speedvision will have plenty of in-car cameras during the race. It sounded as though speedvision will try to show the race using only in-car cameras.

[Liz]

I got the distinct impression that we would be getting BernieVision on Speed! I hope that is true. I will be sorely tempted to stop watching altogether if it goes to ABC. We have only just now got rid of ESPN for Champ Cars and now this!

Well, judging by the rumours coming out of Indianapolis, I am not going to make any plans that include ESPN and The Man That Ruined Indy (TMTRI) without knowing the deal is done.

[Maxmil]

Update as of 09:20 am, USA EDT: At this point the unsubstantiated rumors are that IRL/Tony George have locked up ABC/ESPN EXCLUSIVELY for several years. Meaning ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 cannot repeat cannot televise any other open wheel racing while they have IRL. If correct, this would seem to leave Speedvision with both CART and F1 for quite a spell unless NBC/FoxSports comes back in with a bid.

[Gvonne]

I cant wait to see C.A.R.T. on Speedvision! I might acually get back into it.