BBC / Sky Sports

[gridwalker]

Perhaps I will pay for only half of my License Fee next year because "I need to make spending cuts".

You'll probably get free access to Sky whilst you're in prison...

They can't prosecute you unless they can prove you have a TV, and they can't do that unless they can see it from the pavement since viewing it from your front garden is trespassing.

One of my first jobs was in the call centre for TV Licensing; their primary weapon has always been an address database and their computer system was antiquated even then. They were running some horrendous legacy systems that were too expensive to upgrade properly. The contract was privatised whilst I was working for them, so it now goes out to the lowest bidder (killing all morale in a $h!t* job, which was why I left).

I sincerely doubt that their enforcement methods have changed much over the years, which primarily consisted of sending men around to all registered postal addresses without a license. All they did was prioritise the houses that had been without a license for the longest period. Everything else was driven by mass-mailing threatening letters to unregistered addresses. Oh, and the "TV Detector Van" was pretty much a myth.

TV dealers have to report the address of any TV equipment purchased, which can be extracted from credit/debit card information. Due to the availability of iPlayer, it would make sense if they can now gather data from ISPs regarding new connections. Luckily, it would take change in the law before they can cross reference IP data from iPlayer against addresses without a court order.

Prosecutions happen rarely, but they do happpen. Most people just give in because holding out is more hassle than íts worth. More often than not, people went to court for abusing the enforcement officer, not license evasion

As much as I loathe the TV Licencing Authority, I'd rather have the BBC than anything associated with Rupert Murdoch.

[BreezyRacer]

I'm from the US so I guess this doesn't affect me .. ???

In any case I want to encourage all UK people to fight to keep the BBC funded in full. You guys don't know how lucky you are to have it! Full Commercial TV will never even try to match it. Not just about F1 but all of the BBC programming.

The BBC could be an income producer if they would market more in the states, etc. I watch BBC here a lot but it's lots of reruns and they certainly don't show F1 here.

I did get a chance to watch one BBC F1 race telecast via the net and it was far superior to what we get here.

[Max Speed]

No two ways about it, this is a major slap in the face for the most neglected factor in the success of Formula One - the genuine, di-hard motor racing fan, not flushed with riches enough to spend on having to throw even more money at watching their favorite sport. I think buying a decent TV and paying a license fee should be enough. Thank you to all concerned in this deal, I love you too!

[i70q7m7ghw]

By the way, signing autographs and having photos everywhere I go over here. Somehow they can recieve, and seem to love, #bbcf1 in Hungary!!

What a douche bag.

[wesley123]

By the way, signing autographs and having photos everywhere I go over here. Somehow they can recieve, and seem to love, #bbcf1 in Hungary!!

What a douche bag.

The news has yet to arrive there, unless he is signing empty beer cans and bottles

[gridwalker]

If the BBC needs to save money, I say cancel Eastenders and nuke the set from orbit; it is the only way to be sure.

[wesley123]

If the BBC needs to save money, I say cancel Eastenders and nuke the set from orbit; it is the only way to be sure.

Indeed there are a lot of ways to save money then this.

What bothers me most, if I am correct the BBC just switched to a new station, they can afford that but not the f1 coverage? There is more behind this...

[Muulka]

For all you complaining- the BBC could simply not afford to sustain the £40 million for the exclusivity contract. Do you really think that F1 is truely the best way to spend the licence fee money? I love F1 probably more than most people who watch it, but even I can see that it's not really ecenomically viable for the BBC.

Be thankful that some of the coverage is staying on the Beeb! I'd rather have some than none...

And they've promised to have no adverts in the races, which is good by me. TBH I wouldn't mind it if the BBC started putting in adverts between programmes. It wouldn't hurt anyone, and would generate a little bit of income.

It's not the end of the world, and to those who shall be leaving us because of it, either because of principle or cost, farewell. I hope you find some other passion. I'm sure you will be missed (well, at least some of you )

[SavantGuarde]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors ... betwe.html

This story has recieved about 1800 negative comments in a handfull of hours, Clearly the fans are showing that they have a voice. Please add your comments if you feel strongly about this decision.

[wesley123]

Next year will be an all time low for F1 views, morons they are

EDIT: Jake Humphrey also is really happy with this decision;

Written tomorrows script, determined to make it brilliant. Night & thanks x PS-incredible 2000+ comments for this... http://t.co/dmColpa

[beelsebob]

One of my first jobs was in the call centre for TV Licensing; their primary weapon has always been an address database and their computer system was antiquated even then. They were running some horrendous legacy systems that were too expensive to upgrade properly. The contract was privatised whilst I was working for them, so it now goes out to the lowest bidder (killing all morale in a $h!t* job, which was why I left).

I sincerely doubt that their enforcement methods have changed much over the years, which primarily consisted of sending men around to all registered postal addresses without a license. All they did was prioritise the houses that had been without a license for the longest period. Everything else was driven by mass-mailing threatening letters to unregistered addresses. Oh, and the "TV Detector Van" was pretty much a myth.

TV dealers have to report the address of any TV equipment purchased, which can be extracted from credit/debit card information. Due to the availability of iPlayer, it would make sense if they can now gather data from ISPs regarding new connections. Luckily, it would take change in the law before they can cross reference IP data from iPlayer against addresses without a court order.

Prosecutions happen rarely, but they do happpen. Most people just give in because holding out is more hassle than íts worth. More often than not, people went to court for abusing the enforcement officer, not license evasion

As much as I loathe the TV Licencing Authority, I'd rather have the BBC than anything associated with Rupert Murdoch.

Bear in mind that you don't need a TV license to watch iPlayer – you only need one to watch it *live*.

[Richard]

By the way, signing autographs and having photos everywhere I go over here. Somehow they can recieve, and seem to love, #bbcf1 in Hungary!!

What a douche bag.

Why?

He's conveying the excitement in the build up to the race. He's also pointing out that the BBC coverage is making F1 popular, just in case some bankers in Luxembourg have forgotten.

[forty-two]

Perhaps I will pay for only half of my License Fee next year because "I need to make spending cuts".

You'll probably get free access to Sky whilst you're in prison...

An excellent point!

Seriously though, I am thoroughly pissed off by this news.

Those who have read my comments on here RE the Beeb will know that I have always been a firm supporter of their work and I have argued to justify the license fee. I now feel very angy towards the bbc (non caps intentional) as it seems like this "deal" was their idea.

Frankly, I wish they were'nt spending anything on F1 from 2012 onwards, as I see it as a waste. What's the use of half a season? In the words of Yoda, "Do or do not, there is no try".

[Redfishhunter]

Long time lurcker here first time post
First off let me just say this is the most informative site on F1
I'm very impressed with the technical knowledge of the posters
My first race was Detroit the year Alboretto won Ive been an advid watcher since I've been to the Canadian race numerous to
spending at least 1500$ a year
But I have to say with all the changes engine size, diffuser, electric starts etc... I'm become very unsatisfied with F1 and
Indy racing is looking better and better
I'm getting very tired of drinking the Kool Aid

[forty-two]

Perhaps I will pay for only half of my License Fee next year because "I need to make spending cuts".

You'll probably get free access to Sky whilst you're in prison...

They can't prosecute you unless they can prove you have a TV, and they can't do that unless they can see it from the pavement since viewing it from your front garden is trespassing.

Interesting point, but AFAIK, trespass is a civil offence.

Either way, I was only joking. I wouldn't break the law, especially not in a way that I'd be likely to be caught. I actually would have been happier if they'd increased the license fee by a tenner or even 50 quid a year and retained the rights, and I am hard up with a growing family to feed!