Martin Whitmarsh says reports of BBC dropping F1 coverage are inaccurate – Formula 1 news
McLaren’s Formula 1 team boss and chairman of Formula One Teams Association, Martin Whitmarsh has said that the recent reports of BBC not profiting from the Formula 1 coverage are inaccurate.
Whitmarsh added that BBC, covering Formula 1 in the United Kingdom, has more viewership of the sport as compared to the Wimbledon. He said the recent reports about BBC not profiting from Formula 1 are surprising for millions of viewers all over the globe.
Recently, media reports claimed that BBC will drop Formula 1 coverage from the 2013 season because the channel is losing its viewership. The reports also said that BBC could save more than 60 million pounds and could strive to save BBC4 network.
Now Whitmarsh has spoken in favour of BBC covering Formula 1 under a long lasting contract.
“The reality is that the Formula 1 viewing figures in the UK are high and getting higher. In terms of average viewership, peak viewership and average share of viewership more people are watching Formula 1 this year than last year or indeed than in recent
previous years,” stated Whitmarsh.
He added, “Moreover the quality of the BBC’s coverage is consistently high too. Also important is the demographic data – which shows that F1 is now attracting an increasing number of younger and female viewers, which is also very positive.”
Whitmarsh had recently stated that Formula 1 viewers all around the world through BBC are more than 35 million whereas the Wimbledon viewers all across the world are below that number.
Whitmarsh also added that if BBC pulls the plug on Formula 1, the pinnacle of Motorsports, then millions of racing fans will suffer in the UK.
The McLaren boss also came up with some useful statistics in defence of his words. He said that in the Chinese Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton won, Formula 1 viewers in UK were more than 50 percent.
For the 2011 season, BBC is committed to broadcast F1 in the UK and all over the world but it will be interesting to see what happens when the season concludes in Brazil in November.
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