ESPN will Only Air Sky F1 Feed

[cosworth151]

In a deal set up by F1, the USA will get no original F1 content. ESPN will only rebroadcast Sky's European feed. After years of Hobbo & Co., we'll be going from the be the best to ?

The say that the Roman Emperor chose the psychotic Caligula as his successor was so that he would seem good by comparison. Now I see why Bernie surrendered to Liberty Media.

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/espn-abc-will-utilize-european-skysport-feed-2018-f1-season

[Jericoke]

I used to have the choice between Speed and BBC feed, and I always chose BBC over speed.  One year our broadcaster switched from BBC to Speed, it lasted for one race, after I presume a mountain of complaints.

When BBC stopped producing a feed (note, they still produced a feed even when they weren't showing live races) we were switched to Sky.  While I don't think Sky is as good as BBC was, I feel it was much nicer than the American broadcasts I could remember.  The amount of coverage Sky provides is immense.  (Though a lot of it is fluff, and I learn more reading GP Wizard than I do watching Sky)

[Ian]

It hurts me to praise the BBC but they definitely gave the best coverage.

[cosworth151]

I'll agree that Speed (the entire network, not just F1) went steadily downhill from it's original Speedvision. After Fox took it over & changed the name, it was used mostly to hype fox's NASCAR coverage. The NBC coverage was actually very good.

During the Fox/Speed years, I didn't have access to their coverage much of the time. They were relegated to channels only available on high-priced premium packages. I frequently watched BBC or Sky online. The BBC coverage was very good, but I was never impressed by Sky.

I fear that ESPN, which has zero interest in any kind of motorsports, will also be out on one of that network's fringe channels.

[Dare]

I watched Sky for years streaming and as I have
ESPN I'll still watch. I really like Sky

[Jericoke]

The NBC coverage was actually very good.

I fear that ESPN, which has zero interest in any kind of motorsports, will also be out on one of that network's fringe channels.

I never did the NBC coverage, so I don't know how it compares with Speed.

ESPN makes approximately half of Disney's profits... the company that owns Star Wars, Marvel, Mickey Mouse, a half dozen resorts... but one TV channel is where they make money.  If F1 makes them money, it will be front and center, if not, then it will be relegated to 'The Ocho'.  The decision will not be made by 'sports guys', it will be made by 'money guys'.

[Monty]

Although one of my pet hates is Sky and their ridiculous charges I have to say that the F1 coverage here in the UK is excellent. I think they basically copied the BBC format and threw even more money at it. Of course different people have different opinions but my only complaint relates to Ted Kravitz who is an idiot, especially when doing any kind of interview - he asks stupid questions and doesn't listen to the answers!

[Dare]

When F1 USA coverage lost Varsha it wasn't as good. He was the
anchor. I have no complaints with Sky at all

[cosworth151]

Hobbo has always been my favorite.

[Alianora La Canta]

The real reason for this deal is because ESPN is the only broadcaster willing to go toe-to-toe with Liberty's upcoming F1 streaming platform in the USA. So it's in Liberty's best interests for ESPN to not care much about its new acquisition...

[Jericoke]

Although one of my pet hates is Sky and their ridiculous charges I have to say that the F1 coverage here in the UK is excellent. I think they basically copied the BBC format and threw even more money at it. Of course different people have different opinions but my only complaint relates to Ted Kravitz who is an idiot, especially when doing any kind of interview - he asks stupid questions and doesn't listen to the answers!

Watch 10 years of Vic Rauter as the only pre race coverage, as we had in Canada, and you'll be betting for Kravitz.

I always felt like Rauter lost a bet and was forced to cover F1 against his will.

[Monty]

Watch 10 years of Vic Rauter as the only pre race coverage, as we had in Canada, and you'll be betting for Kravitz.

I always felt like Rauter lost a bet and was forced to cover F1 against his will.

 
Thanks for the clip - I had completely forgotten that qualifying session!

[Jericoke]

Watch 10 years of Vic Rauter as the only pre race coverage, as we had in Canada, and you'll be betting for Kravitz.

I always felt like Rauter lost a bet and was forced to cover F1 against his will.

 
Thanks for the clip - I had completely forgotten that qualifying session!

It's a great session, and probably Rauter at his F1 best, and literally the only clip of him that isn't covering curling (which he is much better at than F1)

[Dare]

If I don't get cricket or soccer I sure don't
get curling  What in the Hell are they trying
to do with curling thingamajig?  

[Jericoke]

If I don't get cricket or soccer I sure don't
get curling  What in the Hell are they trying
to do with curling thingamajig?

I'm not much for curling myself, but keep in mind the sport was invented in Scotland, and I'm pretty sure was intended to be played while drinking.

If it doesn't make sense, then you probably haven't been drunk on a frozen lake (which is why Canadians love it).