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Williams chairman Adam Parr believes Formula 1 fans should be more supportive of the sport's attempts to reduce its costs, following the controversy generated by the BBC/Sky broadcast deal.
The British network announced last week a deal with Sky Sports that will mean the BBC only broadcasts half the grands prix live in 2012, with Sky Sports broadcasting all the races under its pay-to-view concept.
The decision caused outrage among British fans, who demanded that F1 stays on free-to-air TV.
Parr admitted he hoped that F1 could have stayed off pay TV, but said that fans need to understand the need to cover expenses in the sport.
He insisted that grand prix racing must continue to reduce costs, something he reckons will be beneficial for everybody.
"Since I've been in Formula 1, I have crusaded to reduce the costs of Formula 1, which would be beneficial for everybody," Parr said. "The teams would be more sustainable, we would be able to invest more in young drivers. We would be able to potentially have lower fees from motors, lower fees from broadcasters.
"While it costs, on average, each team let's say £100million a year, £1.2billion a year to put the show on... That money has to come from somewhere.
"What I say to the fans is, we understand how you feel and it's a shame the BBC couldn't sustain that [exclusive coverage]. We are trying to put in place the best possible and most accessible deal we can for British fans.
"Meanwhile, we have to balance the book, which let's face it, not many teams in Formula 1 are doing. And we are trying to keep the quality of the show and everything at the same time.
"I'd like the fans, perhaps, if they felt supportive, to be a bit more supportive of some of the things we are trying to do to reduce the cost in the sport."
Parr believes, however, that fans will understand the quality that F1 offers does not come cheap.
"The fundamental challenge is that Formula 1 is a very, very expensive show. It is not two blokes with a couple of tennis racquets and a pair of plimsolls - all of which was provided free," he added.
"If you go to Cirque de Soleil and you see cutting edge performers in an amazing facility, and constantly updating the show, it costs you £100 for a good ticket, or you can go to your local circus with a couple of mangy elephants and a rather droopy clown and it costs you £10. People are capable of distinguishing."
He reckons one of the solutions to get more revenue for F1 teams is to actually increase the number of races per season.
"I think the number of races can increase a little bit. We might have to look at the format of the weekend but we could do a couple more races. There are ways of increasing revenues."
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Adam Parr is kinda p*ssing me off. Apparently he was very eager for FOTA to side with the Sky deal and now hes going around telling fans they shouldnt be so upset with what is happening.
Of course he and the other team principles are happy with this. They'll ultimately make more money from TV revenue I would imagine.
Of course he and the other team principles are happy with this. They'll ultimately make more money from TV revenue I would imagine.
I'm sure I read Sky only payed £45m in comparison to the BBC's £40m a year. Don't know what BBC have paid for their half arsed side of the deal.
Of course he and the other team principles are happy with this. They'll ultimately make more money from TV revenue I would imagine.
I'm sure I read Sky only payed £45m in comparison to the BBC's £40m a year. Don't know what BBC have paid for their half arsed side of the deal.
Absolute disgrace!
This would never happen with Wimbledom, various golf championships and the football (which the BBC strangely manage to show on BBC1, BBC2, red button and on-line, often showing exactly the same thing at the sametime or on a continuous loop on the red button). So if I want to continue watching F1, I either have to watch edited highlights for half the races, fork out for Sky (no chance) or upgrade to unlimited broadband so I can watch the race live on-line. Either way, watching F1 how I want to watch it is going to cost me a small fortune. WTF do I currently waste £145 for the privlidge of watching my own TV in the privacy of my own home for?!
The BBC have got their priorities wrong. They have far too many presenters on nearly all programs who are paid far too much. They waste money on rubbish with Z-list "celebrities" which more often than not no-one has heard of poncing about in sequins, BBC3 and BBC4 which have very low viewing figures and bloody antiques programs! I can still remember the days of Grandstand on Saturday/Sunday when the BBC provided good sports coverage on a wide range of sports. Look at them now!
The BBC board of directors should be hung by their goolies. Their priorities are all completely screwed and the BBC is not worth watching. Makes me wonder why I waste £145 on a licence tax? Actually, hanging's far too good for that shower on the BBC board. It's a good kick up the arse they need.
I'm not happy about this!
well it suggested it came from her with her name at the bottom, but obviously one of her minions sent it on her behalf.
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