uk f1 tv coverage - sky, bbc and ch4

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Derwent

Sadly the C4 programmes were a times when I was asleep or getting ready to go out.
Do they have to be some long after the event?

Time difference is the main reason for delayed coverage. You can still watch it on 4play, they keep it for about a week. This problem occurs with all the ''fly-away'' races.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Derwent

Sadly the C4 programmes were a times when I was asleep or getting ready to go out.
Do they have to be some long after the event?

You missed a huge number of ad breaks....... More than I can ever remember before in a highlights show.

[flatlandsman]

I tried the catch up on the E4 player or whatever it is called when they first signed the deal to put it there. I think after 20 minutes I had put up with about 4 ad breaks all about 2 mins each, so I gave up and have never been back. Not that I am remotely missing anything obviously.

[Alan52]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

I tried the catch up on the E4 player or whatever it is called when they first signed the deal to put it there. I think after 20 minutes I had put up with about 4 ad breaks all about 2 mins each, so I gave up and have never been back. Not that I am remotely missing anything obviously.

No one here has any idea why you continue to post on the F1 threads at all let alone so frequently.
We pretty much all disagree with your basic premises about F1 and your MAGA like devotion to your own point of view.
To summarise
-F1 is the best racing series in the world with the best drivers,teams and most spectacular cars.It is not run on the basis of constant BoP fiddling so that everyone can be a winner and does not have a large part of the field filled up by amateur or pay drivers.
-It’s popularity is at an all time high and while DTS may have kick started this it is not sustaining it.
We know you deny all of this so why waste your time telling us that for the 10,000th time?

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

You missed a huge number of ad breaks....... More than I can ever remember before in a highlights show.

Yet another benefit of recording the programme and watching it later. For this Grand Prix I just got up for work about an hour earlier on Monday morning & watched the coverage over breakfast (so before I'd learned the result), fast-forwarding over the preamble to the race start, and doing the same through the (many - as you say) advert breaks.
Looking at the TV timings for this weekend I expect I will be doing the same thing again.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

I tried the catch up on the E4 player or whatever it is called when they first signed the deal to put it there. I think after 20 minutes I had put up with about 4 ad breaks all about 2 mins each, so I gave up and have never been back. Not that I am remotely missing anything obviously.

It's a bold claim to say that you are not missing something from 9 seasons of F1!!!!

You must have missed seeing Rosberg's WDC, Hamilton reaching 7xWDC and Verstappen's rise?

[flatlandsman]

Sorry yes pretty much missed most of that, I do watch periodically, and I take a passing interest hence I post here occasionally much to the derision of the fanboys who hate anyone not obsessed with F1 posting here and pointing that out lol!

I stopped watching religiously at the start of hybrid, but used to be a lover of F1 before then, as I say I keep up with the news etc. But people like Croft keep me away, hence posting here, as this is a thread about tv coverage.

The trend of shouting about everything, pointless stats etc, some of the coverage is very good, I do not understand the hatred of Kravitz, he can be annoying yes but he doesn't hso0ut, injects bits of humour and has that sport/business balance that you I think need in reporting F1, it is supposed to be a sport after all.

( sorry Alan am not going to respond to the bait, it's too easy, but suggesting F1 is the best racing in the world is staggeringly out of touch, let's leave it at that)

[Greem]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

( sorry Alan am not going to respond to the bait, it's too easy, but here I am responding to the bait)

Fixed that for you.

[flatlandsman]

You do understand what brackets mean I suppose? Oh and maybe the word irony?

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Yet another benefit of recording the programme and watching it later. For this Grand Prix I just got up for work about an hour earlier on Monday morning & watched the coverage over breakfast (so before I'd learned the result), fast-forwarding over the preamble to the race start, and doing the same through the (many - as you say) advert breaks.
Looking at the TV timings for this weekend I expect I will be doing the same thing again.

Indeed so, I did just this. I was just surprised at how many times I had to reach for the remote in one relatively short highlights programme.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

You do understand what brackets mean I suppose? Oh and maybe the word irony?

I'm pretty sure Greem does..... x2.

[billy bleach]

David Croft. STOP SHOUTING!!!!!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

David Croft. STOP SHOUTING!!!!!

He's shouting so much he can't hear you.

[EastonNeston]

No problems with the comentary style of David Croft, and really enjoying the coverage this weekend without Kravitz, who adds nothing of value to the programme.

[Akrapovic]

Conversely, I like both Croft and Ted. Only person I'd drop from the coverage is Danica. Everyone else is doing great.

[flatlandsman]

I do find it incredulous that people actually DO like Croft. Or is it that you can just drown him out and put up with him!

Can you explain what it is about him you do like? Does shouting add something for you that other commentators do not ( I have noticed Nicholls is possibly even worse sadly in the odd clip I have seen), does voicing endless, pointless "my voice is the most important here so I must use it constantly" stats add something? Do you like people with a really annoying sense of humour?

I get it, we are all different. I do not understand the hatred for Kravitz, I do not find him annoying at all, indeed often the only aspect of any weekend I will watch these days is the notebook stuff they upload on YT, mainly because he offers a sort of odd balance of humour, and a reality check. This is a game everyone, it's not real life. Maybe that annoys people who live for F1 perhaps?

[EastonNeston]

As sky sell their coverage to networks in both the USA & Canada, Danica is included as a "local voice". The last couple of races she seems to have a quieter, more subdued presence which is ok. she isn't the worse person they have had on the presentation team over the years.

[Greem]

I can only speak from the perspective of a Brit, but ever since F1 shifted to ITV in 1997 there's been a really polarised view by some individuals of some of whichever team has been in place.

Those of us with long memories (yeah ok, those of us who are old!) will no doubt recall the debates and subsequent escalating abuse as the Internet gained traction around:

Jonathan Legard.
James Allen.
Simon Taylor (criticised for being "too posh" in some areas).
Jake Humphrey ("but he's a kid's TV presenter!").
Having female lead presenters (Sue Barker, Suzi Perry, Lee McKenzie).
Brundle's grid walk (demeaning, pointless, flim flam).
ADVERTS. Oh, adverts.
Sky's paywall.
Simon Lazenby (for being too chummy with everyone, and not knowing enough about F1 at the beginning)

That's not an exhaustive list but it goes to show that TV coverage of F1 definitely falls into the "you can't please all the people all of the time, and you can't please some of the people any of the time".

Notably everyone looks back at the Murray Walker days through tinted lenses - he got stuff wrong *all the time* and that's seen as endearing and funny now.
Modern day TV commentators, presenters or pundits say one thing wrong, out of place, wear the wrong shirt, dare to appeal to a specific band of viewers/listeners for a bit and you'd think World War 3 had started (or they'd insulted your mum).

F1 coverage these days is so detailed, so accurate, almost visually perfect and practically wall to wall. We might as well enjoy it than keep whinging because there's something or someone we don't like.

Plus, there's an off button.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

I do find it incredulous that people actually DO like Croft. Or is it that you can just drown him out and put up with him!

Can you explain what it is about him you do like? Does shouting add something for you that other commentators do not ( I have noticed Nicholls is possibly even worse sadly in the odd clip I have seen), does voicing endless, pointless "my voice is the most important here so I must use it constantly" stats add something? Do you like people with a really annoying sense of humour?

I get it, we are all different. I do not understand the hatred for Kravitz, I do not find him annoying at all, indeed often the only aspect of any weekend I will watch these days is the notebook stuff they upload on YT, mainly because he offers a sort of odd balance of humour, and a reality check. This is a game everyone, it's not real life. Maybe that annoys people who live for F1 perhaps?

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

But, you do have several choices, you might not like them, but you do.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

I do find it incredulous that people actually DO like Croft. Or is it that you can just drown him out and put up with him!

Can you explain what it is about him you do like? Does shouting add something for you that other commentators do not ( I have noticed Nicholls is possibly even worse sadly in the odd clip I have seen), does voicing endless, pointless "my voice is the most important here so I must use it constantly" stats add something? Do you like people with a really annoying sense of humour?

Why do I have to "like" him? Why can't I just find him unoffensive and fine?

Do you know what I like about Croft? He's not the show. You may think he's trying to steal the show, but if you think that then have a listen to other series where they spend 5 hours of an 8 hour race reading Twitter shoutouts. Or how commentators make personal attacks against each other. Or how some commentators make constant inside jokes that nobody except their twitter followers understand.

Croft is passionate, but also simple and accessible. It's exactly what a commentator for the most popular motorsport series in the world should be. You can switch it on and immediately understand what's going on. You cannot always do this with other series at the moment.

Additionally, In the UK we've put up with Legard and James Allen. Both of which were completely unsuited to the role. Allen especially was insufferable and spent much more time shouting and making the role about himself. If shouting and self-centered attitude are someones problem with Croft, then it has to be acknowledged that he is not the worst commentator for this in F1 (or the worst currently active commentator).

Croft will not be listed in the all-time great sports commentators in the same way Murray Walker (and maybe even Martin Brundle) will be. But not everyone can be.

[flatlandsman]

Again an interesting view, I do feel I have to like a commentator to put up with them, I never really "liked" john Motson but I could put up with him, but I "liked" Barry Davies or Brian Moore, is that weird? Maybe.

The worst commentator I have ever heard is Carlton Kirby, even Croft is no match, so much so I could not listen to him during stints at Le Mans, the race is not enough for me to put up with someone so poor. So to some it does matter.

I would happily put up with the more considered/experienced in all sports delivery of Legard (who I actually did not mind but who was pilloried everywhere) or James Allen, the only thing about him that annoyed me was the Brit polarisation, but that was probably from directors and producers.

But their voice, the thing that matters was OK. And Allen was a seasoned F1 journo so knew a fair bit, Croft is and was not, he was always just a voice for radio or tv. I feel that matters in that job

Again a personal choice but I find Crofts voice just hits a pitch that makes me wince! Does this matter, well yes! Can you remember Moira Stewart who read the news, she had such a weird delivery she was known as morbid Moira, it does matter.

The theme running through this is Brundle, his position is nothing like it was with any of his previous partners, I get the sense he puts up with Croft rather than enjoys working with him, he is a professional so manages it well. But I get the sense he would prefer someone else, there is not a frost as there is between Croft and Kravtiz, but I do feel a different dynamic is there.

The other thing we dont know is producing/directing, all commentators deal with it, but I feel whereas the Beeb would tell Murray to "calm down" or chill, out, the SKY lot let Croft off a leash.

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Do you know what I like about Croft? He's not the show. You may think he's trying to steal the show, but if you think that then have a listen to other series where they spend 5 hours of an 8 hour race reading Twitter shoutouts. Or how commentators make personal attacks against each other. Or how some commentators make constant inside jokes that nobody except their twitter followers understand.

Croft will not be listed in the all-time great sports commentators in the same way Murray Walker (and maybe even Martin Brundle) will be. But not everyone can be.

Have to disagree with some of your first point - Croft's regular in jokes and the personal attacks against Kravitz are simply pathetic and happen too often. Like others, it really does feel for me that Croft has an approach that it's all about him at times and that really grates.

Agree that not everyone can be up there with the greats and certainly Croft wont' be, also that to an extent we have what we have. It DOES seem to be that at least some of the alternatives who could parachute in to replace Croft can be just as shouty etc.

Personally, won't stop me disliking him and his style - I think he's a colossal flog and that he should tone it all down.

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

Again a personal choice but I find Crofts voice just hits a pitch that makes me wince! Does this matter, well yes!

The theme running through this is Brundle, his position is nothing like it was with any of his previous partners, I get the sense he puts up with Croft rather than enjoys working with him, he is a professional so manages it well.

Croft's pitch gets to me to - have often referred to it as his squeaky shrieking (eased somewhat in my case because I adjust all the bass etc. settings along with volume to deal with him and avoid having my ears bleed).

I think that you're right re Martin, at least some of the time anyway - so often Croft will be shrieking about one driver making a move on another and Brundle will then say something like "the chasing driver was never close enough to make a move, but was putting pressure on the car in front by showing his nose".

I get what Greem has said too - that we are probably more critical these days, but given that Croft's shrieking is on the world feed and therefore going to many countries, it would be great if he toned it down, became actually professional - but I'm not holding my breath for that.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Tourer

Have to disagree with some of your first point - Croft's regular in jokes and the personal attacks against Kravitz are simply pathetic and happen too often. Like others, it really does feel for me that Croft has an approach that it's all about him at times and that really grates.

Agree that not everyone can be up there with the greats and certainly Croft wont' be, also that to an extent we have what we have. It DOES seem to be that at least some of the alternatives who could parachute in to replace Croft can be just as shouty etc.

Personally, won't stop me disliking him and his style - I think he's a colossal flog and that he should tone it all down.

Croft's pitch gets to me to - have often referred to it as his squeaky shrieking (eased somewhat in my case because I adjust all the bass etc. settings along with volume to deal with him and avoid having my ears bleed).

I think that you're right re Martin, at least some of the time anyway - so often Croft will be shrieking about one driver making a move on another and Brundle will then say something like "the chasing driver was never close enough to make a move, but was putting pressure on the car in front by showing his nose".

I get what Greem has said too - that we are probably more critical these days, but given that Croft's shrieking is on the world feed and therefore going to many countries, it would be great if he toned it down, became actually professional - but I'm not holding my breath for that.

A Lee Duffey or Mike Raymond he ain’t

[Skam85]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Conversely, I like both Croft and Ted. Only person I'd drop from the coverage is Danica. Everyone else is doing great.

I thought I was the only one.
I don't mind either of them.

Danica is terrible but I live for Jenson's reactions whenever she opens her mouth.

[flatlandsman]

I have not seen enough of Danica to know what she is like as a pundit really, Jenson is a bit grey as are most ex drivers, the best was Villeneuve!! Stirred it right up,. but we all know why!! I have seen Nico be excellent at times, but Hill, Chandhok, Davidson, all bland and just going through the motions, as they are probably told to.

To be fair I will say I bet Karun cant believe his luck, had next to no career in F1 yet has lucked into one of the best gigs he could have, also gets somehow to drive a stack of great casr at times! His enthusiasm is a huge positive.