What is the solution?

[Scott]

No question the TV deals (all of them, not just the pay TV) would be compromised by starting up a Youtube channel, but the internet didn't just appear yesterday, and they could easily re-work the TV deals during the transition time until new contracts were written and signed - most broadcast networks would be pleased for a few bucks off their fees along with the chance to drop a couple commercials in front of, and a watermark of their logo on whatever videos they were to share.

[lkjohnson1950]

In the movie "1" last night, Lord Hesketh said Bernie bought the TV rights in 1976 for 1 million dollars. He called the top 10 teams together and offered them a 10% share each for 100,000. They all refused.

 

[John S]

In the movie "1" last night, Lord Hesketh said Bernie bought the TV rights in 1976 for 1 million dollars. He called the top 10 teams together and offered them a 10% share each for 100,000. They all refused.

 

That goes a long way to explain why most of the teams don't challenge Bernie or even whinge about how much he has made from F1.

[Irisado]

I take the point about sponsorship, and I agree with it, but I also maintain that the division of prize money is grossly unfair, and is stacked against the small teams.  That has to change for the smaller teams to have a chance.  The problem is that Ecclestone and the big teams are unwilling to change this, and so nothing can be done.  It's a lack of will that holds Formula 1 back more than anything else.