Sky Sports F1 coverage in upcoming races

[MarkGoldsmith]

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@Les+Harrison wrote:

If this is really about net zero and flying etc... can't they just, with a little coordination, fly all presenters and crew on one flight together?

Then perhaps have them stay there and then fly to next venue all together as well?

Yeah I'm sure the response will be that they all, presenters and crew, don't just do F1 for Sky and have other duties... but with a bit of coordination of a skeleton crew going out there that could work maybe?

Can they manage with a skeleton crew? If Ted and Martin can manage their grid walks and notebooks with just them and a camera man I would hope so. 

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It's a combination of both net zero and cost cutting.

There are reports from the F1 broadcasting media from the start of the season that the Sky F1 budget was effectively cut, so the per race cost was less than previous seasons. From reading the reports the only way to ensure they could have the same level of coverage at the majority of the races was to cut the costs of the flyaway races. These were likely chosen partly due to the distance but likely due to the fact that they are broadcasting earlier in the morning so viewing figures would typically be expected to be down for those races.

[LezJ]

• @jgwilliams completely agree.  I'm thinking of ditching sky entirely, it's been pretty poor of late!

[Fenix975]

I'm trying to work out whether the picture quality on Sky Sports F1 HD has changed recently (particularly for the last 3 weekends where some of the content is from a studio) or if it's due to picture settings on a new TV I've had recently. Both when in the studio on wide shots (showing the 3 presenters) and when drivers are being interviewed in the pen, definition in faces when it's not a close-up seems like it's blurred or smudged together. In the image attached (note that I've had to take a photo of my TV screen and I'm watching Sky+ HD recordings of the programmes) all the people in the background behind Lewis Hamilton have no definition to their faces.

Has anyone else experienced this - i.e. is it an issue with the cameras that Sky Sports are using for these shots, or is it something that I need to sort in the settings for my TV? Note that when I watch other channels it doesn't seem to be an issue.

[RK123]

Its shocking! A total loss of atmosphere. Sky sports subscriptions are so expensive already but you dont mind if you get premium coverage but this is on a budget and it shows. Awful F1 coverage. Satelite delays. Zero carbon emmissions means zero excitement!  

[SKY1992bf]

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@RK123 wrote:

Its shocking! A total loss of atmosphere. Sky sports subscriptions are so expensive already but you dont mind if you get premium coverage but this is on a budget and it shows. Awful F1 coverage. Satelite delays. Zero carbon emmissions means zero excitement!  

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@RK123  your too late to the party normal service resumes from next week 

[MarkGoldsmith]

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@RK123 wrote:

Its shocking! A total loss of atmosphere. Sky sports subscriptions are so expensive already but you dont mind if you get premium coverage but this is on a budget and it shows. Awful F1 coverage. Satelite delays. Zero carbon emmissions means zero excitement!  

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Technically you aren't paying for premium coverage for F1, when subscribing to Sky Sports F1 you are paying for live coverage of every session for the season which is technically what they are delivering.

Also yes it is on a budget, every TV presentation has to be run on a budget. Unfortunately an ever extending F1 calendar doesn't mean the sky f1 budget increases. For Sky to have maintained the same per race budget for this longer season would have almost meant the annual price rises having to be even higher than they were this year.

Also as per @SKY1992bf 's comment you have missed the boat on this a bit, as the usual at track presentation is back for the rest of the season, the in-studio production was only for the 3 fly away races that air in the early hours of the morning (where live viewership is significantly lower than the other races).

[RK123]

Never to late to the party to call out where we are not getting value for money and they think they can get away with it. The feedback is the coverage dropped and Sky should take note. 

[ChrisV69]

Agreed, it is never too late to provide constructive opinion for a subscription based service and, to expect paying customers opinions to be considered. Especially given there were some views that studio transmit may become more regular, Netzero, budget, family balance, cost caps or whatever the term being banded. What is concerning (I'll get to the presentation) is that despite the public awareness of increased race venues, regardless of locale, there's talk about budget cuts...who's exactly? Did Sky not spend a relatively large amount of money on so called AI/VR floors, massive screens and seemingly out of control cameras, an upturned Skypad, an acre of studio space etc? They would still have production at the fly-aways for those present so we're talking an extra 2-3 presenters...hair and make-up then? For the guys too before anyone gets upset! I don't see the saving frankly for the team not being there, in expenses it's coppers. All that said, here in the UK, we have no option but to watch Sky's broadcast if we wan't LIVE, I have seen the F1 stream on VPN and it's excellent on depth, analysis, coverage in general but there's members of the Sky Team I like to watch, there's banter, interviews and no-one beats Martin's Grid. For that reason and others we pay our money, no choice if we wan't it and thus, Sky should listen to feedback because frankly it's been dire.

I will reiterate my point about transparency earlier in the thread as there was no pre season announcement about studio but they did make a dance about the fancy new tech to seduce us to remaining enthused.....where was that? Budget cut all you like for an extra 1 race per year, I don't buy it. So let's see how many presenters turn up for the remaining races shall we? There's no argument, agree or disagree, Sky have the monopoly here and it's disgusting to offer sub standard coverage with no apparent notice and, when we, the paying customer, expect the standard they themselves set over the years.

Why they had to go so big is beyond me, so throw the budget talk in the bin where it belongs please. Inconvenience is more likely, sure 3 fly-aways, pick presenters willing then? Presumably many like to watch all the races live so the build-up is integral, along with the coffee....would have been easier to inject some smaller tech, analysis, current experience driver input without throwing us between venues and killing any atmosphere. Left begging for "Lights out an away we go!". Please don't let it be so that Sky had all the off season to prepare that noncense? Think the presenters / pundits were uncomfortable with it too, maybe they caused it, who knows.

Budgets lol, they did all arrive at Silverstone '23 in a helicopter did they not?

Never though I'd say this but thank God for Nico, some fruity recent ex driver input, opinions and cheek taken from a bland and less experienced studio, more of that please. I have missed Martin's vocals but that was a good Team-up with Crofty and trackside banter IMO.

(removed)

Moderator note: Removed campaigning.

[lettice]

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@RK123 wrote:

Never to late to the party to call out where we are not getting value for money and they think they can get away with it. The feedback is the coverage dropped and Sky should take note. 

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Your best bet to air your concerns around this to the Sky Viewervrelations team.

Many of us here have done this and they have passed it onto the Sky F1 team.

Had replies thatthey have passed on to the F1 team and some further contact from the F1 team.

The next batch of races will be back to normal, but they may consider it at later races, so from a fan point of view, best would be to pass on your concerns.

Not come across any fan that enjoyed many of the aspects of the studio setup.

Send an email to the Sky Viewer relations team;
ViewerR@sky.uk

They do respond to emails with any updates for your queries or problems.

[RK123]

Thanks Lettice. I'll do that. 

[mr.tickle]

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@MarkGoldsmith wrote:

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Also yes it is on a budget, every TV presentation has to be run on a budget. Unfortunately an ever extending F1 calendar doesn't mean the sky f1 budget increases. For Sky to have maintained the same per race budget for this longer season would have almost meant the annual price rises having to be even higher than they were this year.

Also as per @SKY1992bf 's comment you have missed the boat on this a bit, as the usual at track presentation is back for the rest of the season, the in-studio production was only for the 3 fly away races that air in the early hours of the morning (where live viewership is significantly lower than the other races).

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Also, the much-loved Danica Patrick should be back next weekend in Miami!

[tarbat]

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@mr.tickle wrote:
Also, the much-loved Danica Patrick should be back next weekend in Miami!

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I prefer the guest presenters F1TV have this weekend:

• Ruth Buscombe
• James Hinchcliffe

Both are excellent in the build-up stream.

Available to view free at 

https://youtu.be/3Ui4KxFzxrQ

[jgwilliams]

Finally a GP with presenters. Already enjoying it much more with the F1 show yesterday. Please sky reconsider this approach next year as many more of us once out of contract will be cancelling

[tradeautos]

I have to agree with all the comments here a sterile environment sucks, may aswell cancel subscription and watch for free on CH4! It actually shows the presenters in a bad light, they need the distractions of what is going on around them in the pitlane to make them look good without that they are knowledgeable but talentless. As for CO2 footprint Sky dont give a monkeys it is all about money and we are the ones making them rich while we get sub standard coverage!