Financial troubles for A1? - Page 5

**Stephen Green** · 17 Feb 2006, 11:43 (Ref:1524959)

I have to disagree with you there. For a series that doesn't promote itself it sure has a huge TV and spectator audience!

I am a big fan of A1GP but honestly can't answer either of Ian's questions with a yes.

ActiveMS · 17 Feb 2006, 11:44 (Ref:1524960)

A1 did the wrong thing by signing up with SKY for UK coverage. If they had a deal with BBC or C4 then they would have a better following. I have sky but not the sports channels and although I would like to watch A1 Im not going to pay the addional £'s per month for watching a single series.

I think A1 should have done their homework on their choice of broadcasting partners.

**Stephen Green** · 17 Feb 2006, 11:45 (Ref:1524963)

It is also fair to point out that A1GP and WRC were never intended to be an viable opposition to F1. Each has their own merits and their own fan base.

**Stephen Green** · 17 Feb 2006, 11:48 (Ref:1524966)

We don't know the financial details of the Sky deal and so it's a little unfair to pass to many judgements, although I accept your arguement that a terrestrial station would probably have offered more fans in the UK. The benefit to A1 of using Sky is that it is not limited to broadcasting solely in the UK.

Kiwi3 · 17 Feb 2006, 15:39 (Ref:1525138)

To question one - no. F1 is different from A1GP, is hugely successful and therefore doesn't really need to learn much (although they could stop tinkering with the rules).
To question two, what public are we talking about? The last two events were sellouts!

Ian Sowman · 17 Feb 2006, 15:41 (Ref:1525139)

Sellouts maybe, but I still don't see any evidence that the wider public have any awareness about A1GP at all. In the UK at least, there is virtually nothing in the non-specialist media about it.

Rob29 · 17 Feb 2006, 15:48 (Ref:1525145)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

We don't know the financial details of the Sky deal and so it's a little unfair to pass to many judgements, although I accept your arguement that a terrestrial station would probably have offered more fans in the UK. The benefit to A1 of using Sky is that it is not limited to broadcasting solely in the UK.

Don't quite understand this.I believe the Sky contract only covers UK + Ireland? Would be the same with BBC/ITV/C4/C5? As I understand it Sky were the only ones to make ANY offer.

**Stephen Green** · 17 Feb 2006, 16:23 (Ref:1525166)

In that case apologies, I thought Sky covered a much wider area.

sceptic · 17 Feb 2006, 18:10 (Ref:1525220)

Sky does only broadcast in the UK and Ireland, BBC, ITV, C4 and Five only broadcast in the UK.

Not that it matters, as Ireland has its own TV deal anyway.

I think Team GB realises it made a mistake with the Sky deal, but at the time nobody else was interested. If they had waited another six months before doing the deal they would be a lot better off now.

Kiwi3 · 18 Feb 2006, 03:00 (Ref:1525469)

It seemed the Sky logos were no longer on the car in Indonesia (correct me if I saw wrong)? While I guess the whole season would be on Sky over there has part of the deal involving sponsorship or whatever ended?

Eddy V · 18 Feb 2006, 09:56 (Ref:1525519)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Sowman

Sellouts maybe, but I still don't see any evidence that the wider public have any awareness about A1GP at all. In the UK at least, there is virtually nothing in the non-specialist media about it.

Same in Belgium or Germany, the wider public never heard of A1, no info in the general media.

sceptic · 18 Feb 2006, 11:06 (Ref:1525554)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi3

It seemed the Sky logos were no longer on the car in Indonesia (correct me if I saw wrong)? While I guess the whole season would be on Sky over there has part of the deal involving sponsorship or whatever ended?

I think the logos were there to give the impression that the team had some sponsors, which is a good trick to try and attract more sponsors.

Obviously didn't work this time.

Kebab · 18 Feb 2006, 12:13 (Ref:1525576)

I think everyone should wait for the 2nd year before saying anything negative about A1 GP - you can't compare it with F1 after less than a single season and I think they've done an amazing job getting it so well-known in such little time.

I probably have said it before, but if this takes off in India and China they probably won't care that it isn't well known in Europe.

It took them 10+ years to make the Dubai World Cup (horse racing) into what it is now ... and that now attracts the best horses in the world and has massive media coverage.

foreversideways · 18 Feb 2006, 19:47 (Ref:1525865)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kebab

I think everyone should wait for the 2nd year before saying anything negative about A1 GP - you can't compare it with F1 after less than a single season and I think they've done an amazing job getting it so well-known in such little time.

I probably have said it before, but if this takes off in India and China they probably won't care that it isn't well known in Europe.

It took them 10+ years to make the Dubai World Cup (horse racing) into what it is now ... and that now attracts the best horses in the world and has massive media coverage.

My thoughts entirely, so i won't reiterate. I am sure they will make it work. Lets face it building Palm Island was a much greater challenge than A1 GP and they have shown everyone that that was possible. The big thing in A1's favour is that there is plenty of finance, if it was being done on a wing and a prayer, that would be a different matter.

Russfeld · 18 Feb 2006, 20:37 (Ref:1525885)

If you dig a little deeper, if you peel away that lovely crisp skin from the breast of that succulent duck; you do find that there's a lot of holes, a lot of questions, and not many answers.

At the moment, February Whatever, 2006; A1GP is not economically viable.

**Stephen Green** · 18 Feb 2006, 23:41 (Ref:1525994)

I think the Sheik has a 3 or maybe 5 year business plan for the series so its hardly surprising if it is not commercially viable at the moment.

strider · 19 Feb 2006, 00:38 (Ref:1526006)

Much as I enjoy the racing as entertainment, what Russfeld says is correct and he's put it in a very discreet way.

SALEEN S7R · 19 Feb 2006, 01:16 (Ref:1526009)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

I think the Sheik has a 3 or maybe 5 year business plan for the series so its hardly surprising if it is not commercially viable at the moment.

Agreed, hasnt the plan always been based over 5 years anyway? I certainly dont beleive the Sheik ever dreamed of having the series become commerically viable immediately, especially not in the 1st season. I think we will know more however by 2008 about the series long term future.

Ian Sowman · 19 Feb 2006, 08:18 (Ref:1526080)

If something isn't commercially viable in 2006, it is by no means certain that it will make it to the end of 2008 so we can all look at it again then...

foreversideways · 19 Feb 2006, 17:36 (Ref:1526326)

I don't actually understand why people feel it necessary to knock something new which up to now has provide good exciting racing in a different format. Why not just enjoy it. It is differnt to F1, different is good in my book.

Paddockman · 19 Feb 2006, 18:07 (Ref:1526345)

Quote:

Originally Posted by foreversideways

I don't actually understand why people feel it necessary to knock something new which up to now has provide good exciting racing in a different format. Why not just enjoy it. It is differnt to F1, different is good in my book.

Well said!

There are allways "Doom and Gloom" merchants!

Ian Sowman · 19 Feb 2006, 18:22 (Ref:1526353)

Or 'realists' as they are sometimes known.

**Asp** · 19 Feb 2006, 18:25 (Ref:1526354)

People are pointing out that, at this moment in time, A1GP isn't economically viable. It's like that if (and hopefully it's a small if) A1GP continues, then it should solve this problem - longer running, more reputation, more publicity, better finances coming in. But, the fact remains, there is always the possibilty that it might not continue. That's not bashing, doom & gloom, or anything. It's just a statement of fact, as is the case with anything new.
Meanwhile, personally, I'm going to look forward to every race, and enjoying the entertainment it provides. Long may it continue!

archaic gold · 19 Feb 2006, 20:39 (Ref:1526442)

Perhaps, if the possible demise of F1 in Europe occurs; ie; no Tobacco Advertising etc., the A1GP could come to the fore! After all, it is very Nationalistic in that every car represents a Country. Not decrying the Drivers efforts, this must mean a lot once the publicity machine gets a grip!!
Just a thought!!!!

Kebab · 20 Feb 2006, 00:28 (Ref:1526614)

"Maktoum accuses Mosley of bias" - this is the title of a new article on Autosport.com ... seems there's going to be a bit of a PR battle which will no doubt increase A1 GP's exposure further!!

He's right though, it isn't Mosley's place to slag off a series under his jurisdiction.

The Sheikh also claims A1 GP now has an audience of 20-30 million per race.

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