The relationship between Sky and F1 - cosy or fraught?
Discussion
I think it's general knowledge that Sky connect immense value with having the exclusive F1 rights in their territories, and it's also pretty obvious that for several years now Sky has been part of F1's solution for global (English speaking) commentary.
But now F1 via their F1TV team have their own alternative (and really very good) commentators and presenters for their in-house content.
And today I saw this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m67MUTvjtJs - A Sky Sports F1 official podcast directly calling into question whether or not F1 are pulling strings to spice up races artificially for 'the show'. Even the title of the podcast pulls no punches and "Are F1 putting showbusiness before sport?"
And throughout Ted Kravitz seemed on a mission to do all he could to demonstrate that all the questionable decisions made by race control are fully justified - nothing to see here folks... But he's a Sky presenter himself. And it's Sky taking, via this podcast, calling into question how honest the sport is now.
Are Sky taking a commercial-political swipe at F1 for some reason? It seems very odd to call into question the validity of the sport they have just spent another £1bn on to secure the rights until 2029.
But now F1 via their F1TV team have their own alternative (and really very good) commentators and presenters for their in-house content.
And today I saw this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m67MUTvjtJs - A Sky Sports F1 official podcast directly calling into question whether or not F1 are pulling strings to spice up races artificially for 'the show'. Even the title of the podcast pulls no punches and "Are F1 putting showbusiness before sport?"
And throughout Ted Kravitz seemed on a mission to do all he could to demonstrate that all the questionable decisions made by race control are fully justified - nothing to see here folks... But he's a Sky presenter himself. And it's Sky taking, via this podcast, calling into question how honest the sport is now.
Are Sky taking a commercial-political swipe at F1 for some reason? It seems very odd to call into question the validity of the sport they have just spent another £1bn on to secure the rights until 2029.
I don't see it being more complicated than SKY pay the money for their franchises and F1 say - Thank you so much.
I feel certain that F1 would prefer everyone signed up to F1TV, but SKY / Fox has great penetration in English speaking territories, plus Italy and Germany.
Monopoly meets the needs of monopoly.
I feel certain that F1 would prefer everyone signed up to F1TV, but SKY / Fox has great penetration in English speaking territories, plus Italy and Germany.
Monopoly meets the needs of monopoly.
We're seeing the Americanization of F1 thanks to Liberty Media.
Sky has been buying American drama for years but if Sky are beginning to criticize the Liberty effect that can only be good for debate.
Maybe Liberty are already planning for their exit and the extra Razz forms part of their strategy.
Sky has been buying American drama for years but if Sky are beginning to criticize the Liberty effect that can only be good for debate.
Maybe Liberty are already planning for their exit and the extra Razz forms part of their strategy.
Sky and it's whole production are in Liberty, FOM and the FIA pockets otherwise there would have been verbal disgust at the outcome of 21.
Not Brundle saying oh he only over took under the safety car by a little amount so it doesn't matter, or any other of the mealy mouthed responses from the "team"
They only started to speak out when the writing was on the wall of what the fans thought of it and that it wasn't going to be able to be brushed under the carpet.
Not Brundle saying oh he only over took under the safety car by a little amount so it doesn't matter, or any other of the mealy mouthed responses from the "team"
They only started to speak out when the writing was on the wall of what the fans thought of it and that it wasn't going to be able to be brushed under the carpet.
SmoothCriminal said:
Sky and it's whole production are in Liberty, FOM and the FIA pockets otherwise there would have been verbal disgust at the outcome of 21.
Not Brundle saying oh he only over took under the safety car by a little amount so it doesn't matter, or any other of the mealy mouthed responses from the "team"
They only started to speak out when the writing was on the wall of what the fans thought of it and that it wasn't going to be able to be brushed under the carpet.
This. Sky were a disgrace in ADNot Brundle saying oh he only over took under the safety car by a little amount so it doesn't matter, or any other of the mealy mouthed responses from the "team"
They only started to speak out when the writing was on the wall of what the fans thought of it and that it wasn't going to be able to be brushed under the carpet.
LukeBrown66 said:
They are in each otehrs pockets, it is the same with BT and Dorna in MotoGP, they NEVER criticism anything that is done, despite it being plainly obvious that some things are.
it is one of the main reasons to detest paywall tv, as you are utterly beholden to your rights holder.
Except this whole thread is about the fact Sky have actually called F1 into question. They're not exactly doing F1 any favours by spending an hour debating whether or not some of the safety calls are actually manipulation of the show...it is one of the main reasons to detest paywall tv, as you are utterly beholden to your rights holder.
jm doc said:
SmoothCriminal said:
Sky and it's whole production are in Liberty, FOM and the FIA pockets otherwise there would have been verbal disgust at the outcome of 21.
Not Brundle saying oh he only over took under the safety car by a little amount so it doesn't matter, or any other of the mealy mouthed responses from the "team"
They only started to speak out when the writing was on the wall of what the fans thought of it and that it wasn't going to be able to be brushed under the carpet.
This. Sky were a disgrace in ADNot Brundle saying oh he only over took under the safety car by a little amount so it doesn't matter, or any other of the mealy mouthed responses from the "team"
They only started to speak out when the writing was on the wall of what the fans thought of it and that it wasn't going to be able to be brushed under the carpet.
I bet most commentators that day wrapped their commentary, took their headsets off and then the debate started: 'what the f
k was all that about!?'I would suggest that SKY are simply reading the room, a lot of people are saying it. And it would not shock me if Liberty turn a blind eye, it means people are talking about it, the racing is hardly spectacular from the little I have seen thus year, and the media are far more interested in the gossip and stuff like this anyway.
Also remember that Sky would be in the midst of negotiating a new contract for the broadcast rights shortly after AD 2021 so they wouldn't want to kick up too much of a fuss during those negotiations, whereas they are now at the start of a new long-term contract with plenty of time to smooth over any friction before the next renewal comes around and perhaps feel freer to speak up now.
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