[WEC] How on Earth do I watch a WEC race?

[Aysedasi]

Yes, I had one short stream failure - about a minute - but otherwise it was absolutely fine on the FIAWEC.tv on my pc.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Regarding Motortrend On Demand and replays - Qatar 1812 is available for replay on the app today. Not sure exactly when it became available, but it was less than 24 hours after race finish. Curiously, qualifying is not available.

Thanks, I went back and watched the start since i missed first few hours live.

I think Qualy may be on WEC youtube channel. At least highlights.

[Gerard C]

Could not find Q videos either. Race highlights are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CoAHA24F-U

[fergus_r]

I'm hoping they continue to post the full races on YouTube 2 weeks after the event, but I did sign up for Qatar to see the race before Sebring.

It baffles me why they can't just do a membership option through YouTube (IMSA should also take note), but I'm guessing the deal with Sportall is too good to let go for now.

[flatlandsman]

I gave up watching the qualifying on YT earlier, it is just appalling directing.

I dont know who this cretin of a director is, but this utter obsession with pit reaction is infuriating, 10 seconds on car, 10 secs looking at people standing in a pit, 10 secs of car, another 10 secs of Rossi, 10 secs of car, 10 secs of man looking up at a screen.

It is truly some of the wrst television sports coverage I have ever seen.

[fergus_r]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

I gave up watching the qualifying on YT earlier, it is just appalling directing.

I dont know who this cretin of a director is, but this utter obsession with pit reaction is infuriating, 10 seconds on car, 10 secs looking at people standing in a pit, 10 secs of car, another 10 secs of Rossi, 10 secs of car, 10 secs of man looking up at a screen.

It is truly some of the wrst television sports coverage I have ever seen.

It was the same last year, just with more 'slow-mo/arty' shots - the Qatar coverage didn't have many of those so that's one improvement.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

It baffles me why they can't just do a membership option through YouTube (IMSA should also take note), but I'm guessing the deal with Sportall is too good to let go for now.

Youtube supports geoblocking, so exclusive rights can't be the reason.

- Youtube/Google takes a cut from the subscription fee and there might be less leeway on pricing and type of subscription (only monthly, I think)
- can't do full branding, it would be more "Youtube" and less "WEC TV" and can't plaster the page with series partner logos

I guess these two reasons are why most series prefer to stick to their own platforms even if they're crappy year after year. Australian Supercars do this Youtube thing but they have also retained their own platform.

[Adam43]

They could put up the price to cover those fees and put it on YouTube.

[GT3_Fan]

Originally Posted by deggis

Youtube supports geoblocking, so exclusive rights can't be the reason.

- Youtube/Google takes a cut from the subscription fee and there might be less leeway on pricing and type of subscription (only monthly, I think)
- can't do full branding, it would be more "Youtube" and less "WEC TV" and can't plaster the page with series partner logos

I guess these two reasons are why most series prefer to stick to their own platforms even if they're crappy year after year. Australian Supercars do this Youtube thing but they have also retained their own platform.

YT full race replay coming Saturday!

[JimboCycling]

Anyone else had enough of Martin Haven? I like his enthusiasm but...
Having waited for the YouTube availability, I'm watching qualifying now.
In the first 20 minutes he's tried to say that the modifications for LMGT3 is so that a GT3 car can withstand 24 hours (spa or nurburgring anyone?) and showed a complete misunderstanding of reading the timing screens

[TF110]

He's often wrong and I heard more than once Anthony Davidson correcting him, albeit in a calm manner.

[deggis]

Too often Haven just doesn't know when to shut up.

[Aysedasi]

I like Haven. I guess I'm used to him as I was listening to him on the RLM videos way back in the 90's. He makes mistakes but, if we're honest, most of the motorsport commentators make mistakes. I'd love to have a £ for every time I've mentally corrected a commentator over the years for something I know to be inaccurate.....

[Adam43]

He can sometimes not drop a topic even when it is done. Can be annoying, but he’s good. The enthusiasm works.
You need a primary commentator, neither Graham nor Anthony’s role is that and their contribution would be diminished if it was.

[TF110]

Enthusiasm is great. I just wish he'd be more accurate with what he's saying. But the commentating is probably not my main gripe if I were to choose one.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I like Haven. I guess I'm used to him as I was listening to him on the RLM videos way back in the 90's. He makes mistakes but, if we're honest, most of the motorsport commentators make mistakes. I'd love to have a £ for every time I've mentally corrected a commentator over the years for something I know to be inaccurate.....

I don't mind mistakes. I do mind when he argues with experts who are telling him how something is, and he's making contradictory statements.

Mistakes are fine. Stop arguing with Anthony Davidson about driving things.

[Aysedasi]

Fair point.....

[seanyb505]

Well wec's announcement on North America viewing has come to pass. Motor on demand is dead. (Not just wec, but the entire platform as a whole). Most programming has been moved to discovery plus. It's unclear if discovery will stream future wec events live or if a subscription to HBO Max is required.

At the moment, some Motortrend programming is still available on discovery, but 2024 wec races no longer are.

It seems this was a move to reach a wider audience, potentially at the expense of people utilizing Motortrend On Demand primarily for wec viewing. Which I'd wager is <100 people.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Well wec's announcement on North America viewing has come to pass. Motor on demand is dead. (Not just wec, but the entire platform as a whole). Most programming has been moved to discovery plus. It's unclear if discovery will stream future wec events live or if a subscription to HBO Max is required.

At the moment, some Motortrend programming is still available on discovery, but 2024 wec races no longer are.

It seems this was a move to reach a wider audience, potentially at the expense of people utilizing Motortrend On Demand primarily for wec viewing. Which I'd wager is &lt;100 people.

We were an elite group......

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Well wec's announcement on North America viewing has come to pass. Motor on demand is dead. (Not just wec, but the entire platform as a whole). Most programming has been moved to discovery plus. It's unclear if discovery will stream future wec events live or if a subscription to HBO Max is required.

At the moment, some Motortrend programming is still available on discovery, but 2024 wec races no longer are.

It seems this was a move to reach a wider audience, potentially at the expense of people utilizing Motortrend On Demand primarily for wec viewing. Which I'd wager is <100 people.

It's everything, all the stand alone options that were offered are being reconsolidated under one umbrella. See the new mega-sports offering that's alreadt got US Justice Dept attention. Unless you own the product, WEC offical app, F1 app, etc I think your days of stand-alone product offering is gone and as contracts die out or they work out deals to move them to the main event

[Adam43]

What else do Discovery have? I need to check it out.

Is it related to Eurosport? They carry the WEC in, er, Europe. And have the cycling too which I watch.

Might need to check this out. Saves me flying to Italy to watch every race.

[seanyb505]

I thought Eurosport and discovery were somewhat related, but not sure. It doesn't appear there's a live streaming section of discovery+, and there's no sports section. It's mainly reality show garbage, even the carry over Motortrend On Demand programs. I'll likely not renew this subscription.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

I thought Eurosport and discovery were somewhat related, but not sure. It doesn't appear there's a live streaming section of discovery+, and there's no sports section. It's mainly reality show garbage, even the carry over Motortrend On Demand programs. I'll likely not renew this subscription.

It must differ from the European version then. In here where both Eurosport.com and Discoveryplus.com are available the sports content is nearly the same and D+ has a separate sports section.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

I thought Eurosport and discovery were somewhat related, but not sure. It doesn't appear there's a live streaming section of discovery+, and there's no sports section. It's mainly reality show garbage, even the carry over Motortrend On Demand programs. I'll likely not renew this subscription.

There are 2 different Discovery Pluses and sadly ours is the "reality tv" one with all the TLC garbage. Sucked to see all the fun shows advertised as on Discovery Plus in London and then find out nope not mine and no, no we're not gonna let you watch them.

As far as I can tell Eurosport is a Discovery+ option in the UK, and maybe further afield in Europe as well, and includes live stuff. Sadly not sure a VPN would help there since I'd need a virtual account as well to buy the subscription but would in a second

[Adam43]

I would imagine that would work a treat