Official F1/Motorsport thread

[CMcK]

The problem with sportsmen and women getting paid huge money is that for some reason people think that the money is coming from their pockets directly because they go to a match or subscribe to Sky Sports and ESPN. I agree sports and entertainment types get paid too much but we live in a world obsessed with celebrity in all it's vacuous forms and commercial realities mean these peeps will continue to be paid disproportionate amounts of money. Regarding Sky getting the F1 rights I would be amazed if this is not a pay per view deal. Also Sky has a lot of football coverage at the weekend and I cannot see that being displaced from its regular channels on Sky Sports. Potentially the F1 could be in SD on Sky Sports 3 or 4 for non Sky box viewers.

[Team Andromeda]

The problem with sportsmen and women getting paid huge money is that for some reason people think that the money is coming from their pockets directly because they go to a match or subscribe to Sky Sports and ESPN.

Fair point, But don't these same people not know that the money they pay at the Pictures to watch the latest movie, spend at the shops on the latest DVD's, MP3, Games or CD's is also not coming out of their own back pockets, Do these people not release how many Millionaires the BBC alone has helped to create, and not know who pays for the Licence fee ?.


Its funny some will moan at the wages of the Sports star's, but happily rush out and get Star Wars on Bluray, The hideous Star wars 360 helping Lucas get even more Billions in the bank. That's ok... but God forbid Lewis getting ?40 Million a year (which I think is not quite true anyway )

[PeteJ]

Compared to the sports hey day in the 80's and early 90's it is decline I'm sure you'll post figs and go about the sports growth on the WW stage, but compared to the 80's and 90's where people in the Pub's, Clubs, schools were all openly talking about the sport and (here's the diff) enjoying the sport , it has seen a decline, that's also been reflected in the Press coverage and even computer games . Like what been said most either now watch it out of habit, or because there's nothing else on , rather than for the Love for the sport

And lets please don't try and make out that people don't follow the sport, because they dare to make out the sport is in decline . Like with Boxing (who can also go on about growth) F1 is not the topic of decision like it once was, not this unmissable event that it once was . Too many fans of both sports have been put off with the various In-Fighting and various rule changes to follow, talk about the sport, like they once did .

That's rubbish. Maybe for where you live in your circle of friends, but don't generalise.

If you actually went to a race there is no way you could say this sport is in decline. Yeah OK some races don't pull in the punters but those countries don't have a history of racing in the first place. The BBC have also been pulling in record figures so I don't know what you are basing your argument on.

telegraph:

the average share of viewership for the BBC’s coverage of the recent Chinese Grand Prix, which’ Lewis Hamilton won, was more than 50 per cent.“In other words, as many people were watching Formula One in the UK that Sunday morning as were watching every other channel combined – including all terrestrial channels and all satellite channels – a staggeringly impressive statistic.

[Bort]

Normal tired horse****. Oh, did you know the BBC is bad. Thought I'd slide that one in for the tenth time.

No one is or has separated sports stars from other in the public/creative fields. Sports people were the only ones highlighted in this thread due to it being a sports thread. If someone would have issues with people receiving large payments for sports they would also for other professions. Do you really have to bury another thread with more of your tedious nitpicky blabbering.

[NW2013]

F1's my favourite sport, I've been following it for over 25 years, and now it's moving to Sky and the BBC will only have access to broadcast half the races? How very depressing.

Yep, also gutted that after about 20 years of watching I'll miss half the season. Don't want Sky and my web connection isn't really good enough for streaming.

[englishbob]

That's rubbish. Maybe for where you live in your circle of friends, but don't generalise.

If you actually went to a race there is no way you could say this sport is in decline. Yeah OK some races don't pull in the punters but those countries don't have a history of racing in the first place. The BBC have also been pulling in record figures so I don't know what you are basing your argument on.

telegraph:

Well said that man. A lot of posters in here banging on about a sport in decline. I went to Silverstone last year, didn't seem that way to me.

A lot of statements about how **** it is now is all "in you opinion", F1 fans wont agree. Its like me posting in the football thread banging on about how pointless it all is and how its not as good as the 70's or 80's, it's my view and with no back-up of true facts other than gut-feel.

[Prototype]

Why do people always bring this up in Sporting issues ? Film Actors can get paid Lewis wages for just 1 film , Music star's can earn millions and millions for just one Album (just ask Robbie ) Soap stars get millions and DJ like Chris Moyles can get millions for sitting on their ass all day, hell even the like of Miyamoto, Suzuki-san can become millionaires for just making games ... Somehow that's A-Ok, but God forbid Sports star's getting the going rate.

Did you read what I said?

People in the army, firemen and policemen risk their lives. I don't think they are paid very well compared to other professions.

I said other professions. Not just sportsmen. As Charlie was saying footballers are overpaid, and saying F1 drivers salaries were justified because they risk their lives.

But a policeman doesn't get the same salary as lets says an accountant.

[Shez]

Compared to the sports hey day in the 80's and early 90's it is decline I'm sure you'll post figs and go about the sports growth on the WW stage, but compared to the 80's and 90's where people in the Pub's, Clubs, schools were all openly talking about the sport and (here's the diff) enjoying the sport , it has seen a decline, that's also been reflected in the Press coverage and even computer games . Like what been said most either now watch it out of habit, or because there's nothing else on , rather than for the Love for the sport

And lets please don't try and make out that people don't follow the sport, because they dare to make out the sport is in decline . Like with Boxing (who can also go on about growth) F1 is not the topic of decision like it once was, not this unmissable event that it once was . Too many fans of both sports have been put off with the various In-Fighting and various rule changes to follow, talk about the sport, like they once did .

I totally disagree, and with all respect your opinion is against what is actually happening in the world of F1, which to me confirms your following of the sport is indeed limited.

SKY wouldn't entertain throwing money at the sport if they didn't think it was going to bring in new subscribers, they've seen the BBC have brought the sport to a ten year high in regards to viewers, and they want a part of it.

Likewise, a little research will show that different countries are lining up wanting to throw millions to host their own GP - We've done it ourselves with Silverstone, and that wasn't subsidised by the government either. Things like this don't happen for a declining sport.

[Prototype]

Anyway back to F1

After meeting with Ecclestone, Whitmarsh has said the BBC will show every race in full. Half live and half deferred.

You will get to watch the non-live races in full on the same day.

We all knew BBC have to make cuts, so this is the best deal possible for them.

[englishbob]

Anyway back to F1



You will get to watch the non-live races in full on the same day.

We all knew BBC have to make cuts, so this is the best deal possible for them.

On the red button I bet. When Wimbeldon is on your totally ****ed though.

[Team Andromeda]

If you actually went to a race there is no way you could say this sport is in decline

? I've been to the races . The sport isn't as healthy as it was in the 80's or 90's imo.

The BBC have also been pulling in record figures so I don't know what you are basing your argument on.

When you've got 2 possible British World Champions driving for a top Team, I would expect viewing figures to up. People then to use the same line with Snooker , and that's another sport than has a host of issues .

I went to Silverstone last year, didn't seem that way to me.

What is this ? I went the NFL game last year and you may get the Impression that the Sport has never been so popular in the UK. I don't think the interest in the sport , is anywhere near to that, that it was in the 1990's in the UK imo.

A lot of statements about how **** it is now is all "in you opinion", F1 fans wont agree.

I never said F1 is **** and to make out that I'm not a F1 fan or nor a fan of the sport is simply wrong.

Likewise, a little research will show that different countries are lining up wanting to throw millions to host their own GP - We've done it ourselves with Silverstone, and that wasn't subsidised by the government either. Things like this don't happen for a declining sport.

They'll always be countries will to thrown money at F1, more for the image it can do for the Country and at the same time there's other than want to ull out, even the Chinese race is under threat.

SKY wouldn't entertain throwing money at the sport if they didn't think it was going to bring in new subscribers, they've seen the BBC have brought the sport to a ten year high in regards to viewers, and they want a part of it

A fair point, but SKY have had their eye on the Sport for a long time. They've done a Big deal with Golf too, though I'm not sure if SKY are expecting that to really bring in new Paying subscribers

But a policeman doesn't get the same salary as lets says an accountant

And many don't the Pensions, early retirement and sickness days that some in the Police can enjoy, not that's a point.
Sport star's like most other professions are paid the going rate they can command and one can hardly blame they for that.

[NW2013]

Anyway back to F1



You will get to watch the non-live races in full on the same day.

We all knew BBC have to make cuts, so this is the best deal possible for them.

That's not too bad but it's a bugger trying to avoid the result.

[PeteJ]

? I've been to the races . The sport isn't as healthy as it was in the 80's or 90's imo.

If you asked the majority of F1 fans what their favourite F1 era was then it'll likely be 80's or 90's. The decline you mention happened after this, 2000's. What we are seeing now is a recovery, more people are watching and talking about F1 now than they have done for around 15 years. There is no way this sport is in decline.

This is a terrible move by FOM; it's shortsighted and greedy.

[Roddie]

Lets just cut the Bull, BBC is not free to air (we all have to pay for it, Only the likes of ITV, Ch 4 are free to air) and one wonders what on earth the BBC is doing with all its Money. It's commitment to sport is just abysmal

If you want to cut the BS then you're probably not going to get ITV or C4 without paying you licence fee.

[CMcK]

That's not too bad but it's a bugger trying to avoid the result.

I do that all the time. It's pretty easy if you are careful. I never see a race live these days so I'm getting plenty of practice. Last live GP I saw was at Silverstone two years ago!If the BBC have a delayed transmission on the day of the race that will suit me fine.