New Year, Different Sport, Same Problems

Not exactly motorsport news, but it goes to show that while the BBC coverage for Formula One is a voyage into the unknown – we are better off over ITV.

Last night saw the FA Cup replay football match (soccer for any US readers) between Liverpool and Everton. For those not inclined to watch football, this is one of the biggest rivalries in English football. Both teams are from the city of Liverpool and this match is popularly known as the Merseyside derby.

The match went past the regulation 90-minutes. Given that it was a replay, a winner had to be decided on the not, prompting a half-hour overtime period. On the 118th minute, Everton scored the winning goal.

But where were ITV? On a break, of course.

It is something we have become used to on Formula One, as the broadcaster cuts away at a potentially pivotal moment. It’s one of the reasons I was happy to do a song and dance with the switch to BBC. But to put an advert break so close to end of the match is nothing short of farcical.

ITV are putting it down to a glitch in the system. A plausible excuse, but not good enough. According to reports earlier last year when it was announced that ITV lost the F1 contract, some of the reasoning’s on their side was purportedly due to wanting to focus on football.

I’m sure many will be happy to stick with Sky Sports if this is what ITV consider to be a ‘quality’ broadcast.