Formula 1's switch-over to the BBC from the 2009 season has come under further political scrutiny, with two members of Parliament calling for an inquiry into the effect the new deal will have on licence-payers.
The five-year-contract – which was announced late last week – has shocked the grand prix paddock and seasoned observers alike, with ITV's renewed agreement not set to expire until the end of the 2010 campaign. F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, however, pulled the rug out from underneath ITV's feet by cutting the deal off two years early, negotiating for the sport to return to the Beeb, which originally broadcast the sport up until the end of 1996.
“The biggest motorsport event in the world is returning home after twelve years,” was BBC director of sports rights Dominic Coles' reaction to the news. “We were delighted when Bernie Ecclestone approached us about the return of F1 to the BBC.
“F1 is a crown jewel of sports broadcasting, so to bring the rights back to their traditional home from 2009 is tremendously exciting.”
“ITV plc confirmed that it has decided to exit Formula 1 at the end of this season,” added a spokesman for the commercial broadcaster. “This was a straightforward commercial decision for ITV, and we're pleased that Formula 1 will continue to be broadcast free-to-air.”
However, Labour MP for Thurrock Andrew MacKinlay voiced his concerns over the state-owned broadcaster's new deal during the weekly Business Questions session in the House of Commons.
“[The BBC news coverage of the announcement] didn't ask or probe the [BBC] management [as to] how much the licence-payer is going to have to pay for something which could be provided, and should be provided, on commercial television,” he was quoted as having said by www.eemsonline.co.uk.
“Isn't it time that the BBC news editors were brought to book? They should be probing BBC management rather than crawling to it.”
crash.net
The five-year-contract – which was announced late last week – has shocked the grand prix paddock and seasoned observers alike, with ITV's renewed agreement not set to expire until the end of the 2010 campaign. F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, however, pulled the rug out from underneath ITV's feet by cutting the deal off two years early, negotiating for the sport to return to the Beeb, which originally broadcast the sport up until the end of 1996.
“The biggest motorsport event in the world is returning home after twelve years,” was BBC director of sports rights Dominic Coles' reaction to the news. “We were delighted when Bernie Ecclestone approached us about the return of F1 to the BBC.
“F1 is a crown jewel of sports broadcasting, so to bring the rights back to their traditional home from 2009 is tremendously exciting.”
“ITV plc confirmed that it has decided to exit Formula 1 at the end of this season,” added a spokesman for the commercial broadcaster. “This was a straightforward commercial decision for ITV, and we're pleased that Formula 1 will continue to be broadcast free-to-air.”
However, Labour MP for Thurrock Andrew MacKinlay voiced his concerns over the state-owned broadcaster's new deal during the weekly Business Questions session in the House of Commons.
“[The BBC news coverage of the announcement] didn't ask or probe the [BBC] management [as to] how much the licence-payer is going to have to pay for something which could be provided, and should be provided, on commercial television,” he was quoted as having said by www.eemsonline.co.uk.
“Isn't it time that the BBC news editors were brought to book? They should be probing BBC management rather than crawling to it.”
crash.net