Earlier today it was announced that UK terrestrial television coverage of Formula 1 racing will be taken over by Channel 4 in 2016, as they assume the role previously performed by the BBC. Under the three-year deal, 10 races per season will be broadcast live.
The reaction to this news among British F1 followers appears to have been mixed, but I am more sanguine than most about the announcement. It has been confirmed that under the new agreement there will be no advertisement breaks during the actual races to be shown live on Channel 4. The ad breaks were a bugbear of some fans when the sport was previously shown on commercial terrestrial TV (ITV) in the UK.
I have generally quite enjoyed Channel 4's coverage of sports, a good example being their presentation of Test Match cricket a few years back. They have a reputation for doing things slightly differently in comparison to other British broadcasters, so with luck this ethos will help to ensure that their Formula 1 coverage introduces some innovations and a fresh approach.
Much will depend on the personnel recruited to act as presenters, commentators and pundits on Channel 4's show. My ideal scenario would be for some of those on the previous BBC team to be involved, with a few fresh faces to spice things up.
It is good that F1 will remain on terrestrial TV in Britain. Interesting times ahead....
Showing posts with label itv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label itv. Show all posts
Monday, 21 December 2015
Sunday, 18 September 2011
ITV and the Rugby World Cup - Why?
There has been much criticism of ITV's coverage of the Rugby World Cup. Much scorn has been heaped upon some of the commentators and pundits.
I am not really in a position to comment fully on the accusations being levelled against the broadcaster. As is customary these days, I have watched the matches with the TV sound turned down, and the radio commentary on, or else in blissful silence. From this "mute" vantage point, the coverage has seemed technically good at least.
My main question is why ITV continually goes out of its way to secure the rights to the tournament. After all, rugby union itself hardly seems to fit the supposed ITV "demographic". When ITV happily relinquished its hold on the Formula 1 rights, there was much muttering that concentrating resources on football would enable the channel to more efficiently reach its target audience.
It could be argued that F1 and rugby union are generally followed by people falling into the same socio-economic categories, so why rugby and not F1? Well, I would guess that the rights for the Webb Ellis trophy, which happens every four years, involve a considerably lower financial outlay.
Perhaps equally importantly, ITV are not investing in rugby union as such, but rather in what the Rugby World Cup represents, in emotional and patriotic terms. This is an "event", and ITV know that advertisers love all the jingoism and hoopla that goes with it. It is more difficult to generate and sell such hype with individual sports, or those which are less "tribal".
By the way, New Zealand are still my pick to win the thing!
I am not really in a position to comment fully on the accusations being levelled against the broadcaster. As is customary these days, I have watched the matches with the TV sound turned down, and the radio commentary on, or else in blissful silence. From this "mute" vantage point, the coverage has seemed technically good at least.
My main question is why ITV continually goes out of its way to secure the rights to the tournament. After all, rugby union itself hardly seems to fit the supposed ITV "demographic". When ITV happily relinquished its hold on the Formula 1 rights, there was much muttering that concentrating resources on football would enable the channel to more efficiently reach its target audience.
It could be argued that F1 and rugby union are generally followed by people falling into the same socio-economic categories, so why rugby and not F1? Well, I would guess that the rights for the Webb Ellis trophy, which happens every four years, involve a considerably lower financial outlay.
Perhaps equally importantly, ITV are not investing in rugby union as such, but rather in what the Rugby World Cup represents, in emotional and patriotic terms. This is an "event", and ITV know that advertisers love all the jingoism and hoopla that goes with it. It is more difficult to generate and sell such hype with individual sports, or those which are less "tribal".
By the way, New Zealand are still my pick to win the thing!
Sunday, 5 June 2011
The Professionals
Well, after blogging on the question of Starsky and Hutch, I have been giving attention to what some regarded as their British equivalent, The Professionals.
It is in fact debatable whether The Professionals can be directly compared to Starsky and Hutch. The former also contained elements of both The Sweeney and James Bond! The characters can be seen to have counterparts in the famous American series. For Starsky read Doyle; sometimes cynical, but idealistic and occasionally volatile. For Hutch read Bodie;the strong, silent type but intensely loyal to his partner.
The plot-lines often seemed like cartoonish, less plausible portrayals of contemporary themes, particularly Cold War espionage, urban guerillas and gangland activity. In fairness some of the topics covered swung a lamp over the future, suggesting the possibility of terrorism by lone fanatics, biological and chemical attacks and the increasing ferocity of drugs gangs.
It is difficult to escape the conclusion that some of the storylines were embellished for shock value, because the reality was a touch too mundane. The social issues (drugs, vice and corruption), however, were handled with some sensitivity and balance.
One amusing aspect of the programme was the way that it placed the British motor industry of the 1970s in a favourable light. No end of Ford Capris and sporty Escorts and Triumphs could be seen whizzing around in the hands of either CI5 themselves or the villains of the piece!
No mobile phones back then, of course! The venerable public call box was much in evidence, and most of the other communication was done via humble walkie-talkies, although we did get the occasional glimpse of futuristic James-Bondesque communications technology.
Looking back at The Professionals, one criticism would be the unconvincing dialogue exchanged between Bodie and Doyle. It seemed contrived and lacking in idealism, hardly the sort of words to come from the mouths of an ex-policeman and a former solider, no matter how elite they had now become.
Based on my recent viewing of some episodes, Lewis Collins emerges with more kudos as an actor than I had previously accorded him. This belies his image as an "action hero".
One thing which the producers achieved was to convey the peculiarly sinister and claustrophobic atmosphere of the London of that time. Leafy suburban streets, urban tower blocks and industrial wastelands provided a gritty backdrop to the action.
It is in fact debatable whether The Professionals can be directly compared to Starsky and Hutch. The former also contained elements of both The Sweeney and James Bond! The characters can be seen to have counterparts in the famous American series. For Starsky read Doyle; sometimes cynical, but idealistic and occasionally volatile. For Hutch read Bodie;the strong, silent type but intensely loyal to his partner.
The plot-lines often seemed like cartoonish, less plausible portrayals of contemporary themes, particularly Cold War espionage, urban guerillas and gangland activity. In fairness some of the topics covered swung a lamp over the future, suggesting the possibility of terrorism by lone fanatics, biological and chemical attacks and the increasing ferocity of drugs gangs.
It is difficult to escape the conclusion that some of the storylines were embellished for shock value, because the reality was a touch too mundane. The social issues (drugs, vice and corruption), however, were handled with some sensitivity and balance.
One amusing aspect of the programme was the way that it placed the British motor industry of the 1970s in a favourable light. No end of Ford Capris and sporty Escorts and Triumphs could be seen whizzing around in the hands of either CI5 themselves or the villains of the piece!
No mobile phones back then, of course! The venerable public call box was much in evidence, and most of the other communication was done via humble walkie-talkies, although we did get the occasional glimpse of futuristic James-Bondesque communications technology.
Looking back at The Professionals, one criticism would be the unconvincing dialogue exchanged between Bodie and Doyle. It seemed contrived and lacking in idealism, hardly the sort of words to come from the mouths of an ex-policeman and a former solider, no matter how elite they had now become.
Based on my recent viewing of some episodes, Lewis Collins emerges with more kudos as an actor than I had previously accorded him. This belies his image as an "action hero".
One thing which the producers achieved was to convey the peculiarly sinister and claustrophobic atmosphere of the London of that time. Leafy suburban streets, urban tower blocks and industrial wastelands provided a gritty backdrop to the action.
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