NBC vs Speed coverage of F1

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by URY914

I like Hobbs but he's 74 years old. I think they would do better with someone younger and possibly a former driver that has been in a F1 car recently.

The funny thing is, he was in a formula car just last year.

Driving in a parking lot.

But, I like the old school reporting. Can you imagine how cool it would be to rotate in Prost, Lada, Fittipaldi, Mansel and the like?

The one thing I really miss is the 5 minute tour of the locality of the race. I mean it costs huge money to set up the cameras and cover 3 days. Can they not afford to roam the streets for some shots of the region?

Or maybe the 'new' audience doesn't care for a mini travelogue.

[Rloop]

Overall I thought it was better. Varsha was good, Diffy is just as good. Thought Hobbs and Machett were more on point, maybe more into it than the last few years on speed. I thought the feed looked better, maybe NBC is sending us more bits and bytes.

I do miss the prerace walk through the field. I want to see what is going while the cars are lining up and everyone is milling about. Will isn't so bad, but he is much better than nothing! The prerace segment seemed like "lets have a few pre-recorded thoughts from some of the drivers" which seems like a waste. I want to see the cars, the grid girls, the crowd, and the "on the spot" interviews by Will were interesting. Hopefully they fill that 30 minute slot better next time.

[s_wilwerding]

I got the chance to see the pre-race, qualifying, and race on Sky TV - it is so far superior to NBC/Speed. They are actually at the race, they have two former F1 drivers for commentators, they have over an hour past the end of the race that they talk to the relevant team principals and most of the drivers. They had a ton of pre-race interviews, including a segment where the Sky TV babe plays sand volleyball with all of the rookies, and where she goes to the pub with Jenson and Pastor.

It is really stupid that Sky is not generally available over the Internet through some pay service. After seeing that coverage, I would willingly fork over quite a bit to see the races covered that way.

[Rloop]

Sky TV sounds like the way it should be!

Were you able to watch Sky TV in Omaha? Or were you on the road somewhere?

[javadog]

Originally Posted by 5String43

, and I noticed that having a camera on Buxton in the pitlane on raceday was conspicuously absent.

It was there, you must have missed it.

Pre race show was a little lame. The new set sucks. I don't know why it needs to look like that... I thought the post race coverage was better, as they interviewed a half dozen drivers after the race. Lots of little mistakes, though. Driver's names mispelled in the graphics, they got the constructors points added up wrong, etc.

JR

[rcooled]

Nice to see Hobbs & Machett looking a bit more spiffed up in some decent clothes. Overall, I thought the coverage was pretty good and it's nice to see F1 getting wider coverage here in the US.

[Aragorn]

Originally Posted by URY914

I like Hobbs but he's 74 years old. I think they would do better with someone younger and possibly a former driver that has been in a F1 car recently.

I started watching F1 coverage back when it was on ESPN. Have seen both Derek Daly and Derek Bell and finally David Hobbs in that seat. Both Dereks were ok on commentary but Daly was too much of the "in my day" comments. Hobbs is good and has knowledge of both old timers and recent racers. It's hard to get a good mix of commentators who don't talk over one another and get along in the booth.

I can't think of any new recently retired F1 driver who could comment well on tv. All the interviews I have seen of F1 drivers in the past few years have been horrible. Most seem like dead fish. Coulthard is an exception but already has a job. Schumacher is too short and concise with no passion. Mansell maybe? Don't know who could fit outside of David Hobbs for now.

[jyl]

I think Webber would be a good commentator when he retires, he is articulate and intelligent. Whether he'd want the job, not sure.

[72T]

I've got to give Dish some props. I'm on the upper tier, though, and a recent monthly increase came with Velocity suddenly showing up. A very nice channel for enthusiasts.... As for the F-1 coverage, I think Leigh might be an acquired taste, I've come to enjoy him over the years on Speed's sportscar coverage. Am looking forward to how he does with IndyCar this year.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by jyl

I think Webber would be a good commentator when he retires, he is articulate and intelligent. Whether he'd want the job, not sure.

They'd have to give him a shave mid way through the race.

[URY914]

During the prerace show there was no discussion of rules changes this year. Unless I missed it. Or maybe there were no rules changes. Anyone know?

[javadog]

No huge changes. There was the usual fiddling with tire compounds. Minor tweaks and clarifications are ongoing, so there was some of that as well. A recent one was whether the team physio could also help with other duties, like pit stops. Dramatic stuff.

JR

[Joeaksa]

Did not like NBC forcing them to wear suits.

What they wore last year was fine and what is this "dress up crap" to announce a race anyways.

Also wondering why they drug Sam Posey along for the short that he did. Sorry but not a Sam Posey fan...

[s_wilwerding]

Originally Posted by Rloop

Sky TV sounds like the way it should be!

Were you able to watch Sky TV in Omaha? Or were you on the road somewhere?

On the road. As I said, I think they could easily make tons of money if somehow it were available in Omaha (and LA and New York and Chicago, etc.).

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by Aragorn

I started watching F1 coverage back when it was on ESPN. Have seen both Derek Daly and Derek Bell and finally David Hobbs in that seat. Both Dereks were ok on commentary but Daly was too much of the "in my day" comments. Hobbs is good and has knowledge of both old timers and recent racers. It's hard to get a good mix of commentators who don't talk over one another and get along in the booth.

I can't think of any new recently retired F1 driver who could comment well on tv. All the interviews I have seen of F1 drivers in the past few years have been horrible. Most seem like dead fish. Coulthard is an exception but already has a job. Schumacher is too short and concise with no passion. Mansell maybe? Don't know who could fit outside of David Hobbs for now.

Kimi, when he retires. Give him a bottle of good vodka and set him down to go,

[URY914]

Next week lets play a new game. Every time the word "degradation" is used you have to drink a shot on post on this thread.

[legion]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Kimi, when he retires. Give him a bottle of good vodka and set him down to go,

Winner!

[tevake]

Originally Posted by URY914

Next week lets play a new game. Every time the word "degradation" is used you have to drink a shot on post on this thread.

But I do want to see the end of the race.

It really has come down to where tire wear and selection have big consequences in the out come of the race. Heard that the tires this year weight considerably more than last.

[intakexhaust]

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Microsoft is jumping on the 'bandwith' wagon too.