planetf1.com

Well, my fellow American viewers, we have seen zero coverage thus far. Practice was scheduled tonight at @ 9:55-11:00 and what is on? A very pathetic sports talk show. Wow. This is gonna be painful I think.

Yup
I expected nothing else.

Just wait until tomorrow when they pre-empt the qualifying for ladies curling from Canada.

Looks like I'll be buying the streaming from Bernie...........Crazy like a fox that one.........

Directv Ch 207 is showing it at the moment

It is entirely online, and I prefer it that way, it is available on demand, you can fast forward through the commercials. If you do not have a ROKU device or Apple TV it will suck, but go buy one, they are like $20 to $50 for one, and if you subscribe to ESPN you automatically get all there online content. I personally prefer it that way. And I must say the SKY coverage is absolutely awesome, but I still will miss Matchet and Hobbs.

I've seen all three sessions, so I don't see a problem...

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PICK 10 COMPETITION (4 wins, 14 podiums): 3rd in 2016
TOP THREE CHAMPIONSHIP (No Limit Excedrin Racing): Champions in 2015 & 2018 | 2nd in 2017
AUTOSPORT GP PREDICTOR: 2017 USA & P-F1 Champion | #2 in the world in 2017

FP3 was shown on ESPN News live. It's the Sky feed which is better than FP1 and FP3 on NBCSN last year with no announcers at all. All ESPN programming can be replayed on the ESPN Watch app.

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Case

I don’t recall if nbcsn aired the free practice sessions on television, but I am catching all of the sessions through the app just like I did last year. I have no issues at the moment with the way ESPN is getting us coverage.

The only thing i hate so far is that there is no post race or post qualy coverage at all now. So it feels weird that they switch off as soon as the interviews are over. I guess that stuff wasnt included in their deal with sky. Its only one thing but it sucks a lot.

The coverage was live on ESPN News. You missed it.

Honestly, so far the coverage is a massive improvement. The commentators actually know what they're talking about; which is a change for the better (although I'm sick of Crofty already). Brundle and Allen are able to provide insights from the circuit or the paddock that are far more meaningful than what we used to get from the likes of Will Buxton. Paul Di Resta was also a very insightful voice during the practice sessions. We get interviews with Christian Horner now instead of Zack Brown. It's just a step up IMO.

I do have my fond memories of David and Steve but honestly David became unwatchable these last few years as he descends into senility and I never much liked Lee Diffy.

Oh really? Well Im glad they still have it. Espn can drive me nuts with all their different channels.
But I fully agree that the coverage is superior than nbcs. No comparison.

Do you mean Ted Kravitz?

Yes, not sure why I thought of James Allen there lol

i dvr'd the same garbage. looks like i am going to have to go through and record each single session. thought qually was on last night....nothing recorded

Quali aired live and fp3 (labled as fp2) aired last night on espn2 but as you guys stated the time slot was off by about an hr. if you add the time extension past the program 1hr to your dvr should help.

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PF1 pick 10 2016: 7th (1 win, 4 podiums), 2017: 17th (3 podiums)
Awards: Sergio perez trophy & Podium specialist
PF1 pick 3 2015: constructors 2nd, singles 5th
Autosport Gp 2016/17 - 5th
F1 Oracle 2017: 2nd (6 wins), 2016:5th (2wins)

Everything is available on the WatchESPN app. Both live and in replay. It also supports casting to your TV.

Everything is available on the WatchESPN app. Both live and in replay. It also supports casting to your TV.

I got that app on the fire tv but it doesnt give me the replay option just live. It has replays of other sports but not f1 atm.

_________________
PF1 pick 10 2016: 7th (1 win, 4 podiums), 2017: 17th (3 podiums)
Awards: Sergio perez trophy & Podium specialist
PF1 pick 3 2015: constructors 2nd, singles 5th
Autosport Gp 2016/17 - 5th
F1 Oracle 2017: 2nd (6 wins), 2016:5th (2wins)

In the iOS version under the Sport / Auto Racing category we have Live Now, Upcoming and Replay options.

Personally, I don't want to have to use any damned "app" to watch F1, just let me have one network that I can count on to see Practices, Qualifying and the race. The idea of having to surf and hope I can find the particular channel that happens to be showing it, whenever they choose to broadcast it... if I can find it at all, is irritating. The idea of having to stream it... whatever that means... is equally irritating. If Liberty thinks this is going to build the US market for F1, I suspect that they are seriously wrong. I realize that I am just an old fart to whom much of the so-called modern technology floats over my head, but do they (Liberty & ESPN) think that future or even current casual fans are going to jump through all these hoops to watch F1 when they have so many other options available to them?

Aha... I have found the weekend schedule... only 3 different channels to navigate:

Rolex Australian Grand Prix Schedule on ESPN Networks (all times Eastern)

Thur., March 22
Practice 1 9 p.m. ESPN3

Friday, March 23
Practice 2 1 a.m. ESPN3
Practice 3 10 p.m. ESPNEWS

Sat., March 24
Qualifying 2 a.m. ESPN2

Sun., March 25
On the Grid 12:30 a.m. ESPN2
Race 1 a.m. ESPN2
Race (encore) 11 a.m. ESPN2
Race (encore) 1 p.m. ESPNEWS
Race (encore) 9 p.m. ESPNEWS

I see that they have eliminated the "encore" of qualifying that we had formerly.

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
WDCs = 15

I was able to find everything on the ESPN Watch App. I am happy enough with that. I am eternally grateful that we get the skysports feed. I used to have the phone app (BBC) on instead of Hobbs and gang anyway - but I prefer sky. I think ESPN had a few hiccups that first race, but on the whole they are doing a great job. If you have to watch it on television only, it may be a bit painful, but NBC was the same as FP1 and 3 were app only also live I believe. I did like the no commentary FPs tho, so I appreciate that remaining the same.

I'm just glad that ESPN channels are all included in my current plan...

, shouldnt have to use an app to view a sporting program that has television rights. Makes no sense how liberty wants to make the f1 product more available yet makes it less likely to be seen on tv and makes the consumer have to channel surf to find it.

Yes its available online or via the app but who wants to watch it on a pc / phone when u can watch it at home on your HD Tv.

_________________
PF1 pick 10 2016: 7th (1 win, 4 podiums), 2017: 17th (3 podiums)
Awards: Sergio perez trophy & Podium specialist
PF1 pick 3 2015: constructors 2nd, singles 5th
Autosport Gp 2016/17 - 5th
F1 Oracle 2017: 2nd (6 wins), 2016:5th (2wins)

Never felt the need to buy a smart tv. Now it looks like it’s a must have with all these apps.

I know I'm out - Not going to chase around for crap coverage of the MERC CUP.
Cars look crappy - bad coverage - Merc with too big of an advantage to overcome.
Indy lights cars look awesome though.

I cry anytime ESPN buys the rights to something I like.

I normally get to watch the sky coverage. There pre- and post- event coverage is good, in fact excellent. Well, once you fast forward past all the Hamilton-is-God segments. Crofty makes me hit the mute button within a few seconds. I like Brundle and Kravitz, so if there was some tech way to mute only Crofty that would be great.

Even so, that's an upgrade over the horrible American announcers that I always called the Three Stooges of MotorSports. Hobbs was a senile old fool, and Matchett was just always wrong. Whatever Matchett says, expect the opposite. Nothing worse than a mechanic who thinks he's an engineer. At least to an engineer trying to watch a race!

While coverage has been great, the feed is LIVE right now and no one seems to be aware. They've showed the same corner from the same camera twice now and have gone to commercial as they attempt to rectify the situation it seems.

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HAMILTON :: ALONSO :: VETTEL :: RAIKKONEN :: RICCIARDO :: VERSTAPPEN
BOTTAS :: MAGNUSSEN :: OCON :: SAINZ :: PEREZ :: VANDOORNE :: HULKENBERG
GROSJEAN :: GASLY :: ERICSON :: LECLERC :: STROLL :: SEROTKIN :: HARTLEY

"on the grid live"
1 minute of staring at a stationary video camera shot...commercials
back from commercials...1.5 minutes staring at the same shot (still no one talking) more commercials
back from commercials.....2.5 minutes of random shots around the track (no one talking) more commercials

wait, it isn't a commercial...they just switched to a freaking talk show about basketball

is this the pre race show liberty and espn have decided will help usa viewership ? because a 5 decades f1 fan is shutting this crap off and going to bed.

anyone from liberty reading any of this ?

What the hell???????????????
Watchin pre race and it cuts out for some damn other show 10min in?????
Pobably miss the race - 20 min. and we'll see
What crap

As someone who has actually raced, Hobbo was definitely not senile in any regard outside his hilarious, more mature sense of humor, which hit home for me every time. Also, Matchett was seldom wrong. He didn't conjure up his information from thin air and was in close contact with engineers from every team every season. The info he provided was gathered from the actual teams so perhaps you misunderstood what he was presenting.

Stooges? Not in a million years, and though I dislike Diffey's annoying overzealous shouting and his incorrect assessments of situations, I wouldn't call him a stooge either. He was simply not right for the sport. Simple as that. he was well suited for MotoGP because that's what he did for so long and that's a sport he knows quite well, and his voice suits the action unfolding on track.

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HAMILTON :: ALONSO :: VETTEL :: RAIKKONEN :: RICCIARDO :: VERSTAPPEN
BOTTAS :: MAGNUSSEN :: OCON :: SAINZ :: PEREZ :: VANDOORNE :: HULKENBERG
GROSJEAN :: GASLY :: ERICSON :: LECLERC :: STROLL :: SEROTKIN :: HARTLEY

Apparently they're experiencing technical difficulties. They're currently running a ticker at the bottom of the screen that reads:

"Formula 1 on the grid is experiencing technical difficulties. We are working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible."

UPDATE: Issue seems to be resolved Damon Hill and Simon Lazenby now on.

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HAMILTON :: ALONSO :: VETTEL :: RAIKKONEN :: RICCIARDO :: VERSTAPPEN
BOTTAS :: MAGNUSSEN :: OCON :: SAINZ :: PEREZ :: VANDOORNE :: HULKENBERG
GROSJEAN :: GASLY :: ERICSON :: LECLERC :: STROLL :: SEROTKIN :: HARTLEY

I really miss Speedvision. Looks like ESPN are back to F1 again. I'm happy with Sky coverage, just wish someone more professional than ESPN was broadcasting the feed.

i can't stomach basketball, so when that started, i changed the channel. nothing recorded right for me, not practice or qually. now this, guess ill wait up another ten and see if the race comes on.

zero reason for espn2 to be having these problems, they aren't a start up. absolutely zero reason for this to happen espn2

and the person who called the usa broadcast crew stooges...come on, matchett's technical knowledge and connections were outstanding. hobbs seemed a little disinterested last season to me, but provided plenty of laughs over the years. the driver/engineer combo was good too
hobbs "takes some big attachments to take the corner like that" hilarious

I still can't get the post race show. went to espnnews but there's nothing there.

going forward, i hope they change to a post race show instead of a pre race show if they are only going to give usa one. not going to hold my breathe for that though. how many races will we miss the end because they switch to another sport this season ?
its the first race and maybe i will get used to it, but those guys seem to feel the need to talk every single second of the race

Im with you Blake, hunting around ESPNNews, 2, 3 is crazy plus Matchet is much better than Brundle a complete buffoon as far I am concerned

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One.
The best song ever written....thanks Bono
I am the Number 1Tifosi

Utter disgrace. I can’t believe we get this from what we had last year. Jesus what a disaster.

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I'd rather die than be overtaken.

Terrible coverage. I much prefer NBC. The Sky Sports feed was crap.

Paul

To be fair, I was not as disappointed in the actual race calling as I feared I might be, though I was surprised at some of the less informed comments that they made, I thought they were experts! The pre-race was very pro-Lewis and anti-Ferrari as I had expected and if there is a repeat of such baloney, I won't bother watching it in the future. Yes, they may be UK based, but now they are an international broadcasting entity and need to be more balanced than if all they are doing is broadcasting the home base.

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
WDCs = 15

I don't mind the actual coverage, but ESPN's treatment of it has so far been nothing less than awful. I wasn't able to watch live this weekend, so I didn't have to deal with the cutting in and out, but if they're going to mostly show online-only they could at least show all of the post and not cut out immediately. The way commercials have been cut in is particularly bad; I still haven't found what caused the first two retirements of the race, since those happened during a commercial break (hopefully looking online I'll find out soon, but one shouldn't have to do that).

While we do have a smart TV and can use the WatchESPN app, I don't like having to do that, and the streaming was dodgy while watching FP2 live. I'm unsurprised that ESPN decided to pre-empt sessions with something already. All they seem to care about is college sports.

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Pick 10: 1 win, 8 podiums | 2016: 22nd | 2017: 21st | 2018: 3rd |
[size=85]Top Three: 9 wins, 26 podiums | 2016: 9th [6th] | 2017: 16th [6th] | 2018: 4th [4th] |

fully agree, say what you want about nascar I hate it btw however the announcers are fair to all. if I wanted to watch a race with home town announcers I go to Italy and watch it there

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One.
The best song ever written....thanks Bono
I am the Number 1Tifosi

I miss the old guys but I have nothing against the sky guys either and the level of insight they provide is superior to NBC’s. Problem is that the content is not completely available to us thanks to ESPN