F1 on BBC iPlayer in 2009
British F1 fans should be able to continue watching Formula 1 online live in 2009 as the BBC has announced that BBC1 and BBC2 will be made available via its iPlayer.
With BBC3 and BBC4 already available via iPlayer it seems certain that, whichever channel BBC uses to show F1 in 2009, an online simulcast version should be available. Viewers should also be able to ‘save’ F1 broadcasts via iPlayer to re-watch later.
However the BBC blocks non-UK viewers from being able to access the iPlayer, so its live F1 broadcasts may not be available outside of Britain.
There are still no hard details on whether the BBC will broadcast F1 in high definition (HD) next year.
BBC Vision director Jana Bennett said:
The launch of BBC One and BBC Two online completes our commitment to make our portfolio of channels available to watch on the internet. From 27 November licence fee payers will be able to watch BBC programmes, live, wherever they are in the UK on their computers, mobile phones and other portable devices. Through iPlayer and series stacking, they’ll have the option to catch up with them later.
Martin Brundle recently confirmed he will be one of the F1 commentators next year, and he is expected to partner Jonathan Legard.
More on watching F1 live one: Watching, listening to and following F1 live online
More on BBC F1 coverage in 2009
- Martin Brundle at BBC in 2009
- BBC’s 2009 F1 team: Legard, Brundle , Coulthard, Humphrey and McKenzie
- FIA trying to ban Martin Brundle?
- ITV F1: goodbye or good riddance?
- How will BBC TV cover F1 in 2009?
- What cricket fans have to say about F1 as the BBC turns its back on them
- ITV loses F1 coverage to BBC from 2009
Alex Cooper said on 19th November 2008, 13:15
The BBC show MotoGP on iPlayer at the moment. I’d be surprised if it didn’t appear on there.
Tom said on 19th November 2008, 13:45
I really hope they show friday/saturday practice as ITV did.
ceedas said on 19th November 2008, 13:57
All the practise sessions will be available through the ‘red button’ too, as will a number of support races, so I’ve heard.
DG said on 19th November 2008, 14:00
Thats strange, non-UK residents can listen to radio shows online, so why not watch TV shows too? Surely BBC want to capture as big an audience as possible for F1?
Milos said on 19th November 2008, 14:02
@ DG – BBC only has TV rights for UK, they can’t poach on viewers from territories where some else spent millions for the rights :-)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 19th November 2008, 14:05
Alex – What was the image and sound quality like over iPlayer?
Lustigson said on 19th November 2008, 14:06
@ DG and Milos
It’s probably Bernie who says the Beeb can’t broadcast online outside the UK, rather than the BBC not wanting to do so.
DG said on 19th November 2008, 14:23
Lugiston, good point, but even Bernie would realise that the BBC World Service and Online reaches parts of the planet even he hasn’t heard of yet – increasing his potential market…..
James said on 19th November 2008, 14:36
Sadly (for me living abroad) the BBC charter expressly forbids it from broadcasting television outside of the UK. This is not the case for radio. From the iPlayer rubric, they are working on an “international verison”, but how limited the shows they can broadcast in that case remains to be seen. The issue is much more general than Formula One and, for once, has nothing to do with Bernie.
Journeyer said on 19th November 2008, 16:04
Methinks the iPlayer’s security will really get tested next year. The ITV feed was never properly secured. Will the BBC’s 1-year headstart help keep the hackers at bay?
Mussolini's pet cat said on 19th November 2008, 16:24
There are some websites that mask the origin of your web surfing to enable you to bypass these restrictions. I didnt tell you this………
TommyBellingham said on 19th November 2008, 16:27
Alex – What was the image and sound quality like over iPlayer?
Its very good indeed.
I’m at uni, it seems stupid that BBC show live TV on the internet and want us to pay for a TV licence
Internet said on 19th November 2008, 16:49
To those hoping to bypass BBC. Don’t get your hopes up. BBC have notoriously hard systems to crack. It will be fun reading all the non-UK viewers beg for ITV to come back next year.
Striay said on 19th November 2008, 17:08
if you8 can see practice through the red button gr8 coz we get BBC TV here in Spain.
beneboy said on 19th November 2008, 18:30
TommyBellingham
The TV licence doesn’t just pay for BBC TV.
It includes the cost of public service radio shows, all BBC T.V. channels, part of C4, E4, More4 etc, BBC on-line & the digital conversion that is currently under way in Britain.
Advert free & James Allen free F1 next season will be worth the license fee alone :~)