As an external observer, it seems to me that it's not the BBC that's putting British viewers over a barrel, blame F1 for that.
So far, all we know for sure is that the BBC brough Sky into the mix and not MrE or F1. The BBC had a contract which expires at the end of 2014 after which F1 goes to someone else of stays with the BBC. The BBC wanted out of this contract as they claim they cannot afford to continue with the F1 coverage but a compromise was reached which left the BBC showing 10 races in full and either full race reruns with a 3 hour delay or (more likely) edited highlights of around 75 minutes. Previously, MrE was reported as saying he wanted the F1 coverage to go to Channel 4 or 5 which are both free-to-view however with adverts, but at least all races would be aired in full. MrE had previously stated that if Channel 4 wanted to sign a contract for £45 million (same as the BBC and there wouldn't be anyloss to CVC/F1) per year then the deal would have been done with them.
Going from MrE's comments, the BBC would not guarantee anything so the switch to Sky was in a way forced, with MrE claiming that the BBC held all the cards.
Eventually, all the facts will come out but as things stand it looks like the BBC wanted out and in doing so introduced Sky to MrE. Hopefully the parlimentary inquiry will shed some light on the whole matter but I don't think it can change the deal that has been made so we'll just have to make do with the situation as it stands and save up for unlimited super fast broadband or a satellite dish.
I blame the money grabbing Bernie. He priced the BBC out of the market. If the BBC are paying what it costs to run a whole TV channel for what it costs to have F1 then you can see how greedy Bernie is
I look at it differently. There is plenty cash for football, antiques shows and show jumping. The BBC for years have been flooding every sports event they cover with far too many presenters and pundits who will be getting a not insignificant salary from the BBC. I'm sure that savings could have been made by the BBC streamlining the coverage of other sports including F1. As for MrE being greedy, well he's a business man and it's his job to be greedy and generate a decent return for F1's investors. Conversly, you could easily argue that the various broadcasters that bid for F1 are part of the problem by not telling him to lower his price. Let's face it, if they all said £45 million is far to much and the highest bid he got was say £20 million then MrE would have very little option but to lower his price. By meeting his demands with what appears to be very little resistance, they let the guy get away with more and more each time a contract is renewed. basically, MrE is like the fat kid left alone in a sweet shop and is being allowed to eat everything in sight.
There are many people who don't get BBC or Sky and watch F1 on other channels. Yet, there's no option offered for us such as 'Other'.
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
