Liberty Media buy F1

[Titch]

The Tiffosi would riot for starters.

 

[siffert_fan]

Liberty has a lot of work ahead:

UK F1 viewing figures drop by 5.1m in 2016 - Pitpass.com

 

[Andyoak]

I'm sorry; but when they talk about learning from exciting races "like Abu Dhabi" I know I'm listening to bullshit and bollocks. Ain't no change happening any time soon

 

[RasputinLives]

I sort of disagree that the dip in viewing figures could be because of 'Lewis Hamilton's dip in fortune'. Lewis was in a tight title battle to the end. I'm pretty sure the uncertainty of the result attracts more viewers.

I'm pretty sure even the most hardcore of Lewis fans doesn't think "what Lewis is not a dead on cert to win this? Nah not watching then"

 

[Andyoak]

Absolutely, got bugger all to do with Lewis and everything to do with losing free to view.
The problem with only showing half the races on C4 is you won't keep the interested (but not dedicated) fans; because the show times are unpredictable.

I also think the long summer break is bad because it breaks the momentum of the season.

 

[Greenlantern101]

The viewing figures will crash massively once sky's exclusive deal kicks in. If a sport has no free to view it will get no new fans.

 

[cider_and_toast]

Even a blind man could see that Greenlantern101

Sadly, a decrepit old octogenarian who couldn't see further than the end of his wallet was a different matter.

 

[vintly]

Regarding viewing figures, there's a potentially huge revenue area in between 'free to air' and Sky F1, that I think Liberty will try to tap. Streaming, race-by-race access, reduced ticket prices for GPs (and other live F1 events perhaps?) and a change to the weekend format itself would open up plenty of other avenues to attract fans.

Another angle as to what's been happening in the UK could be down to Champions League football. It moved from Sky Sports to BT Sport a couple of years ago, at the same time (almost if not exactly) as when Moto GP moved to pay-TV, also going to BT Sport. This means that footy fans who are prepared to pay to watch Champions League football are now getting 'free' Moto GP, instead of F1. That, in the UK, will have certainly had a negative impact on F1 viewing figures, and new fans alike.

Edit, just found this, what a joke, I never heard about it: Petition: keep F1 (Formula 1) on free to air television

 

[Greenlantern101]

I'm going to start a petition to demand that those concerned are forced to act on petitions.

 

[teabagyokel]

The FIA and F1 have agreed to rename GP2 to F2 for this season! That was quick!

 

[RasputinLives]

Because Bernie still holds the rights for the GP2 name!

 

[FB]

Flabio is upset at the way Liberty Media treated Bernie - Ecclestone not treated well by new F1 bosses - Briatore

 

[cider_and_toast]

Meanwhile the rest of the world couldn't give two poops what Flabio thinks or how Bernie was treated.

 

[Greenlantern101]

Still it must be hard for him to loose his job, and having to sign on every week to make ends meet.

 

[Bill Boddy]

He is too old to sign on. He will just have to manage on his State Pension.

 

[RasputinLives]

Bet you a whole bag of bananas he still claims his winter fuel allowance too.

 

[RasputinLives]

The FIA and F1 have agreed to rename GP2 to F2 for this season! That was quick!

Also something else occurred to me on this. In his presidential campaign(ha!)Todt stated he'd put in a clear path to F1 within 4 years including bringing back F2. 4 years are nearly up and despite lots of talk there waa nothing set up for F2.....until now! One simple name change and Todt can claim he has achieved his campaign plans. Sums up his presidency really.

Now. What about GP3? Would make sense to change it to F3 but that would piss of Todts mate Gerhard Berger who runs European F3 so I bet he doesn't.

 

[F1Brits_90]

at the moment just based on the testing , liberty media are doing a fantastic job because on social media its like night & day compare to the 2016. amount of clips, onboard laps, interview, facebook live's is fantastic

 

[vintly]

Don't worry guys, we're in safe hands

 

[RasputinLives]

Liberty Media signs it's first TV rights deal since buying F1.......it's a continuation of a pay to watch deal in France.

Looks like that's not going to change then