F1 broadcasts in the US. Here we go again.

[zetta]

The season is starting, and no one knows who is going to broadcast it. Last year they took us to the week before the Australian GP before they told us. Is this year going to be the same? Or does somebody out there know something about it?

[Powered by JPM]

i thought speedvision (aka nascar channel ) was supposed to carry the coverage for 2002 and then maybe FOX??
atleast thats what i thought i heard

[EERO]

I think its supposed to be "The Speed Channel" or whatever they're renaming Speedvision to. It had better be as I'll be shelling out an extra $12 per month to get Speedvision as my local cable provider has moved them to the nether reaches of their new Digital cable system.

I dread the prospect of ESPN/Disney getting a hold of it for good in light of their stellar performance at Indy.

[Powered by JPM]

well EERO, i dunno about you but I was kinda looking forward to another great comedic performance from Antonio Sabato Jr.

[Maxmil]

The last credible speculation I heard was some weeks back. The rumor was that since Fox/Speedvision were going to be the NASCAR network, ABC would again take up F1. It is really atrocious that Bernie neglects the U.S. market so. No worthwhile body of fans will pay much attention to a series they can't watch except twice a year. (Canada and Indy that is.) There aren't that many diehards like me who are willing to follow it on the net.

[zetta]

I sent an Email to Speedvision, and their reply wasn't encouraging. They said they were in negotiations for the 2002 season, but nothing could be said at the time. I guess we are going to have to watch the season (races only, no qualifying), in pre-recorded broadcasts aired whenever ABC has an empty time slot, and interrupted by PGA tour shows, little league volleyball, etc. This really sucks.

[EERO]

Zetta,
Speedvision wasn't too optimistic last season either and they got it.

When ESPN broadcast F1 in the 80's, they did a pretty good job. Once they moved to ESPN2 for the '97 seaon, they took a dive.

I am hopeful that The Speed Channel, (nee Speedvision) will get it for 2002. Besides, the cable guy is coming next Wednseday between 9 and 11. They promised.

[djb]

Between 9 and 11. Thats pretty good, my experience with repair/telephone company calls has always been a "between 9 and 6" which really screws up your day waiting for them. Good luck with this one, especially after the extra pesos decision you made.

ps, it still boggles my mind that for the second year in a row, the question of IF there will be F1 coverage comes up. I still really do not get why the question would even come up, and am really not clear of the origins of the reticence of the channel head honchos. I guess I am still rather naive with my awareness of the popularity of NASCAR and co.