Bernie Ecclestone wants to keep BBC as Formula 1 broadcaster in the UK – Formula 1 news
The CEO of Formula 1 Management Bernie Ecclestone has said that he does not want to lose British Broadcasting Corporation as Formula 1’s broadcasters in the United Kingdom.
Recent reports suggested that the BBC might not be able to afford a renewal to its contract which is due before the 2013 Formula 1 season.
“We want Formula One to stay free to viewers. That is 100%. The BBC have done a great job for us and we like their shows and the people obviously like it because so many are watching,” Ecclestone said.
Reports suggested that the BBC is now trying to shift its focus on its digital channels rather than the coverage of Formula 1 in terms of funds while Bernie claims that the organisers of the sport want to keep the sport on a free-to-air channel.
“They did warn me that they were facing problems but, so far, nothing more has been said. I hope they want to keep us because it is such a success and I will do my best to keep Formula One on the BBC,” said the CEO.
Other than that, Martin Whitmarsh, the team boss of McLaren and president of Formula 1 Teams Association also added that the reports contain inaccurate statistics. He said that the viewership of Formula 1 in the UK is getting higher these days and that these
stories have ‘undersold’ the value of the sport.
“Formula One insiders have been surprised by the recent newspaper reports, since they contain significant statistical inaccuracies,” he said.
These rumours started off even before the season began as reports suggested that due to financial issues, the BBC might not be able to broadcast the sport starting from 2017.
Other than that, it was stated that 2-4 million viewers watch the sport through BBC while another report contradicted this data and claimed that the viewership of the sport during the Monaco and Spanish Grands Prix this year reached around 6 million in its
peak time.
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