posted Aug 22, 2008

Excellent that you've been reading through Andrew. Clearly it seems there are two agendas/audiences not entirely mutual to satisfy.
Perhaps an answer is more articles (not sure of the staffing front or pay come to think of it) and, personally, I'd like to see some more personal opinion (and sod the audience altogether)? Not that I'm suggesting the level of personal input of your old Gilles article but hope you understand what I mean.
Btw, might be worth polling your F1 audience a propos expectations?

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Auto,

A poll would be excellent.

But the people at the media alway thrust their opinion on us rather than allowing us to form our own judgements. Disgusting.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

The trouble with this posting is it's all been turned upside down by the second free practice session, with Button and Alonso right up there.
Is it possible that this is more a driver's circuit and it's levelling the playing field or are these second times just a fluke. I guess tomorrow will tell but it would be hard to find the last time Button showed in the top 3 even in a free practice session.
On another note, I'm glad Andrew benson said 'arguably the best driver in the world' because so far that's all it is. In terms of last year's results that title still belongs to Raikonnen and will be until the end of this season and, of course, may still be the same even then.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Re: comment by Wumbee about Lewis getting the coverage ahead of DC and some other British drivers. Get real Wumbe! Lewis leads! Button couldn't lead an egg and spoon race at present. DC knows that he is well off the pace hence his retirement plans. Can you imagine Liverpool Chelsea Man Utd and Arsenal not being mentioned on match of the day or not even being the main focus of the weekends live matches on Sky? When Hamilton can no longer finish in the top half of the race then we will accept that he doesn't warrant top coverage. Until then enjoy it because we haven't had a leader like him in years.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

come on now Andrew...your arguments are valid only to a point.

We cannot expect anything other than primary focus on Hamilton for the reasons you gave. But even if he was the best driver in the world ( VERY arguably!) and a worldwide superstar - of which many of the drivers are the latter - it is still completely irrational and lacking objectivity to focus on the driver when a story isn't about the drver ie Hamilton!

On so many occasions there have been stories about other drivers and of little relevance to Haimlton; and then even when another driver is achieving more than Hamilton in a given session or weekend, each article HAS to start with Hamilton's name. It is this sort of thing that infuriates people for the most part.

Partisan coverage is one thing; but blind undermining of the sport and all the other drivers in the process is quite another.

At least the BBC aren't prone to sneering and undermining other drivers when covering Lewis like ITV do; but that's no reason for such an establishment like the BBC to allow for journalism more like panting and drooling like an excited dog without any regard for others.

So if those reasons are reason enough to justify the way BBC cover Formula One...is that what we have to expect for F1 coverage come 2009?!

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Re: Andrew,

You highlight the 'British' aspect of the BBC, well where is the coverage for Jenson Button and David Coulthard? Granted they have not been as successful in recent times but does this mean we are ONLY interested in our successful sportsman? Jenson Button in fact finished higher in 2nd practice than Lewis!

autounion's quote 'actually, i cannot think of any national broadcaster who wouldn't compare the winner to their own competitors.' Notice the plural?

I understand the point that the BBC must accommodate the casual fan as they are more prominent as GordonMurray highlighted but it would be nice if other tastes were considered from time to time.

Thank you for taking time to reply to my comment, I just hope we see some interesting articles on other British drivers every so often.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Andrew -

The frankness and sincerity of your reply is highly appreciated, and I at least agree that the harsh reality of media service in this very competitive age is to serve the general masses and not the cause - even, irritating, when the two perspectives are completely disjoint, like say is in Formula One.

if I could address each point you made though:

1) I think we do for the most part accept that the national slant would inevitably take hold over the global perspective - and that goes without saying in any sport. Indeed, every other country does it, so why should we be any different. In an ideal world though, I'd rather a global sport (as opposed to an international sport, as it isn't BETWEEN countries, but inclusive of many countries) was dealt with in that manner.

2. Many, including myself, grudgingly accept why Lewis would get more coverage than DC or Jenson (and I have no bias towards any of the three so couldn't care less who gets more! but as a Brit, would love equal coverage). It's a non-argument really, as it is the nature of competitive sport, and media attention will always reflect that.

3. This is what I have issue with. Yes, I would not say that the BBC don't cover other stories at all; but firstly there is plenty the BBC don't cover, yet one lesser story of Lewis in the mix and the BBC will make the effort to cover it. This used to happen when Jenson was the 'IT' british driver as well.

On top of that, I certainly am not saying that Lewis features in every article; but equally we are entitled to feel irritated when his name pops up at the most irrelevant of places JUST because its Lewis Hamilton the great British hope.

The BBC might have a responsibility to serve the mass public with the British interest; but I think I can safely say that most people get annoyed because they expect the BBC to be more professional and responsible when trying to maintain some impartial reporting - when a story is a story about a subject, and that is the end of the story.....not sticking in Hamilton's name so that more people are inclined to read the story.

Surely you can see why and how it cheapens the BBC's value in our (reader's) eyes, considering we come to the BBC for that higher standard?

4) I've pretty much covered it above in point 3.

5) I personally get sick of people being hyper-sensitive to this scottish/english/british referencing. Although, I do still think there is a little tendancy to emphasise the English aspect when winning, but that happens in every sport and in all English dominated media. Sports Personality of the Year is a perfect example - but we will see just that when its Chris Hoy vs Lewis Hamilton (should he win title). Anyway, I'm digressing...this is irrelevant.

6. You insistance that the points you raise still stand - worries me. It is almost like hinting that 'we will over-emphasise our coverage of Hamilton to keep our ratings up, as that is what the causal fan making up the masses will want to see - and if you don't like it, tough, but our ratings are our priority than the sport we cover'...and that really does sadden me to get to know that when we look for reassurance.

Can you blame people for wanting Lewis to fail so that we get a bit of balanced coverage? It's sad and not Lewis' fault...but entirely the media's hunger for mass attention in the name of 'what people want to see'.

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posted Aug 23, 2008

Force India are hardly a front running team. You wouldn't expect the Indian media to give them the prominence that BBC give Hamilton. And why would they give equal time to two Brits bringing up the rear when they have a front running gp winning driver on their hands. As Andrew says: the casual fan/audience outstrips the hardcore. The BBC are broadcasters not narrow or niche suppliers. Get real!

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posted Aug 23, 2008

It's almost certainly the case that without Hamilton you wouldn't be watching F1 on terrestrial TV in 2009, so thank your lucky stars that he exists. When ITV didn't take up their option earlier this year, notwithstanding the 40% Hamilton effect, BE went cap in hand to the BBC and offered them the lot - more like begged them to take the lot - it's perfectly reasonable to believe that had Hamilton not been part of the port folio the BBC would have struggled to justify the cost. Remember Roger Mosey had already remarked on the extraordinary pulling power of LH on the British viewer, His TG appearance pulled 8M to BBC2 on a Sunay night. That's as many as SCD peak time Saturday. You have a lot to thank Hamilton for.

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