gethinceri
Even worse than Lazenby?
For me, after seeing both broadcasters' coverage, I think that the BBC team are doing a very good job with what their idiotic directors have left for them.
Coulthard has definitely toned down his bias this year, and he has definitely developed as an F1 broadcaster (and does a good gridwalk, too (although not as good as Brundle - yet!).
Ben Edwards is excellent (as those who watched BTCC last year will testify), and they make a good pairing, they don't interrupt each other and there are no awkward pauses (and no Legard-style excitement - although he was excellent on 5live).
Gary Anderson has very useful insights, has great technical know-how and simplifies the explanation for the casual viewer - all with a pen and a bit of paper! Also, he is rapidly improving his broadcastability (is that a word?).
Lee Mckenzie is good, but not brilliant (the BBC should hire Tom Clarkson - interviewer for Canada while Lee is presenting).
As for Eddie Jordan, well, he can be a bit annoying and embarrassing, but he does inject some needed humour, isn't afraid to ask big, controversial questions and he has that gravitas in the paddock to grab the big interviews.
For Jake, he is an accomplished broadcaster who the f1 personnel seem to like to be interviewed by. He has developed excellent chemistry with DC and EJ.
As for Sky, whilst their coverage and channel is good, there can be big improvements. Although I haven't experienced any of Sky's red button features or their constantly mentioned 5.1 surround sound, but many people I've asked say the red button stuff is brilliant. As for HD, nothing new there.
So to their lineup. Ted Kravitz is still brilliant, great insight and a good broadcaster, easily able to explain technical stuff - nothing more to be said.
Brundle is still good, still F1 royalty, although I don't think his partnership with Croft (who seems a bit too shouty) isn't as good as Edwards/Coulthard.
Pinkham is, to be frank, a clueless idiot, who asks the same questions all the time.
Georgie Thompson has good presenting skills, but has as much knowledge about F1 as my pet rabbit. She stands there uselessly at the 'skypad' - which is completely underused. Although she is good at presenting FP3.
Davidson must be going to the bank laughing, seeing as he seems to be invisible on Sky F1.
Herbert is competent. Damon Hill has improved vastly from Australia. I think Sky need to get a designer, or a former team owner, to have more variety in their punditry.
So... Simon Lazenby. Tries too hard to be as good as Jake, but failing miserably. No charisma, little knowledge, and he asks stupid questions. He should be removed next year, even before GraceKellygate.
Their F1 channel needs to have classic races on it!!!
BBC provide far more analysis than Sky, albeit with some inane waffle, followed by the light-hearted forum (which is great TV) Sky's post-race coverage has more waffle in it than a fat American's breakfast.
Sky tv rights>BBC tv rights
BBC coverage>Sky coverage
Kravitz>Anderson
BE+DC>other DC+MB (just)
Mckenzie>Pinkham
Jake>Lazenby (by far)
BBC pundits>Sky Pundits
So what I do is watch BBC's races live, as their coverage is superior, and try and get Sky's coverage for the non live weekends one way or another, as I have to see the race live! If Sky improve during the close season, then it is well worth however much it costs per month. At the moment, in my opinion, the cost isn't worth it. Note to Sky, quantity doesn't necessarily mean quality! However, the red button features on Sky seem to be brilliant (from what others have told me). Th question is, would you spend the race watching the pit-lane or team radio channel? Because, aside from the obvious rights deal, these seem to be the only benefits of Sky F1, as their coverage (ie analysis, F1 team) certainly aren't worth the money.
PS Sorry for the long essay!