F1 - WITHOUT interruptions

[divine]

If there was money to be had in it, ITV wouldn't have ended the contract though, the fact they have implies the revenue isn't flowing as well as predicted, the advertising isn't supporting the costs etc.

It would seem silly of ITV to dump F1 if it was still making them money considering they're a commercially funded broadcaster. The BBC can show any old crap regardless of ratings and still get the money, ITV can't.

[Garp]

Originally Posted by divine`

If there was money to be had in it, ITV wouldn't have ended the contract though, the fact they have implies the revenue isn't flowing as well as predicted, the advertising isn't supporting the costs etc.

It would seem silly of ITV to dump F1 if it was still making them money considering they're a commercially funded broadcaster. The BBC can show any old crap regardless of ratings and still get the money, ITV can't.

Given what Bernie is saying in that report, it would suggest that its more that ITV aren't interested in pursuing other potential revenue streams for it either, just keep on doing the TV thing, whereas he's wanting other options considered. Under those circumstances I'm sure he just wouldn't look at doing anything with ITV. He could well have made it clear to his contacts at ITV what he'd like to see, that info get to the production team and them say amongst themselves "No.. too much hassle, it'd wipe out profits", then decide not to renew. The BBC has a much more technically capable setup, and better infrastructures in place (plus stuff already in place to take serious advantage of BT's 21CN network), for them to offer streaming of F1 stuff, for example, would be much less of a hassle or cost. They might well be able to provide the whole thing at much less cost that ITV ever could.

[Pickers]

I was gutted when F1 moved to ITV - chuffed to bits now its going back to BBC \/

[Goose]

Any idea when it's going to be made exciting again?

[Garp]

Originally Posted by Goose

Any idea when it's going to be made exciting again?

We were debating about this on a geeks mailing list I'm on. We reckon what they ought to do is say "No rules at all, except that your car must be able to complete the race on an amount of fuel decided on the day, between xx gallons and xx gallons".
Giving the car mfgs free reign could result in some very interesting cars, use of ground effect etc.etc.