Record viewers for F1 in 2011
by The Badger on Jun 1st, 2011
The 2011 F1 season is proving to be a massive success for the BBC, with record numbers of viewers tuning in to watch the Monaco and Spanish Grands Prix. This weekend's race around the streets of Monte Carlo recorded a highest peak for over 10 years and was nearly half a million up on 2010. Likewise the Spanish GP was watched by a peak of over 6.2million people in the UK, again the most in over 10 years.
Now that really is some impressive numbers and just shows how the BBC's efforts are paying off - fans across the country have embraced the new commentary line up of Martin Brundle and David Coulthard, while Jake continues to be a superb anchor for the show, backed up by DC and of course, the unforgettable Eddie Jordan.
Badger chatted to all of the BBC F1 Sport crew ahead of the season - read the interviews here.
What do you all think of the BBC's coverage this year? Enjoying it, and if so, what's your favourite part of it?
Comments and Discussion
Everything about the Beeb's coverage is a massive improvement since the dark days of ITV. Loving MB and DC. Highlight of the season so far though has to be EJ getting thrown into the Red Bull pool.
The BBCs coverage is fantastic. The only problem I have is that i always perked up to hear what MB is going comment on next last year but now he speaks all the time, there is much less comedy commentary.
Superb coverage. HD, MB, DC, EJ & JH and overtaking and tyre wear.... Still would like to see no pit-stops and see who can conserve their tyres all of the race....
I stopped watching F1 while it was on ITV. I found the commercial breaks destroyed the tension and my enjoyment. Now its back on BBC I watch avidly as I did before. I especially enjoy the pre and post race coverage and commentary.
well to be honest it well desevred as i believe the f1 coverage is the best in world as jake's a great presenter and EJ is great value with his shirts and abilty to get interview that are impossible to others like vettel in abu dhabi when EJ had to fight hundereds of photographers & other tvs reporters. and there great DC & brundle commentary and brundles legendary gridwalks. and not forgetting the f1 forum as its hilarious (espically in monaco with EJ and DC in pool) and give yopu chance to give your question the pundits and team bosses/drivers
MB and DC are outstaning, entertaining, knowledgeable. It makes a big difference for me when watching F1 knowing that those two are commentating. Love it!
EJ - annoying, but funny.
Jake ... so so
Theres an interesting article on Autosport - the subscription "Plus" part though - comparing the viewing figures of the 2010 and 2011 Spanish GP's.
2010 had 5m viewers at the start but began to drop as the race went along, ending with around 4.8m at the flag. In 2011, it started higher (5.5m) and continued to rise as the race went on, with nearly 6.5m viewing at the end.
Such a turnaround considering one man has won five out of six grand prix!
Do they take into account who actually watches the pre-race show; I live and breathe F1 but its getting to the point where I only tune just before the race when MB and DC are up. The pre-race show format is rather vapid now; Jake and Eddie are just standing around with pointless statements and questions that enlighten no-one and just fill the time up between features, it gets awkward far too often for a professional TV show, and that's only a step above dead air. I'm sure it's fun and laddy and friendly to someone who's never known better but at least ITV had the dignity to put the emphasis on the features and technical analysis before a race. You get more insight before a race in 5 minutes of blog and twitter browsing than the entire 1 hour Jake Humphrey Show.
I'm sure they do keep a record of the viewers for the pre-race show, not sure what they are though. The figures mentioned here the 'peak periods' - the race essentially.
Have to say it's unusual to find someone who isn't enjoying the build up - most people do, it's good fun, Jake's excellent and EJ (in his own way) is fab as well. They do have to appeal to a mass audience, and they do it well in my opinion - never miss a second of it when not at the race track itself!
Really impressed with the Beebs coverage. EJ is a bit annoying but Jake, Martin and DC are really good. The only slight complaint is that DC tends to try and take the lead commentator's role not that it's too much of a problem nut sometimes its a bit like there are two lead commentators. Also would like to see more of Lee Mackenzie on screen more often....she's gorgeous!
I think it is fantastic now. MB and DC are great together. Jake, Eddie and DC can be so funny. I also enjoy the 'tech stuff' from DC very much. Thank god they got rid of JL he just ruined the whole race.