YouTube starts broadcasting live sport, but will F1 ever get on board?
FOA don't want people watching F1 on YouTube
YouTube has signed its first deal to broadcast sport live on the internet.
Its contract with the Indian Premier League has surprised media analysts because it allows YouTube to stream live coverage in every country including those where TV deals for the IPL are already in place (apart from the USA).
F1 rights holders FOA should consider a similar deal. It could bring in more revenue and promote Formula 1 to YouTube’s huge audience. What’s not to like?
F1 is broadcast on television in many countries. FOA has largely left it to television companies to arrange internet broadcasts – and so legal internet streams are the exception rather than the rule.
Britain has had live internet broadcasts of F1 races for the last two years. Few other countries do, however, and progress is slow. When American broadcaster Speed TV extended its contract to show the sport last month it included a deal to show video clips online – but not live races.
There is clearly demand for live race broadcasts online, particularly in countries which don’t have F1 broadcasts on television. During our live blogs during F1 sessions at F1 Fanatic there are always requests for video feeds.
YouTube already has a connection with F1 via CEO Chad Hurley’s investment in the US F1 team. The new outfit has embraced online video and has already shared some interesting behind-the-scenes footage on YouTube.
The site streams over one billion videos per day and already offers HD support for when F1 finally gets on board with modern video quality standards.
FOA goes to great lengths to take down F1 video posted on YouTube but it should be embracing the massive opportunity it offers rather than shunning it.
Bernie Ecclestone helped transform F1 into a globally recognised sport through his television broadcasting deals in the 1970s. F1 is in danger of missing out on the next revolution in broadcasting if he does not take note of the massive potential of internet streaming.
F1 on TV
Howard said on 21st January 2010, 7:56
For those of us that live and work outside our home country, it is only possible to watch it on local TV. Since in my case my Chinese was non existant I had to watch the pictures and guess what was going on.
If it was available over the Internet, I would be able to follow it in my own languge wherever I was in the world – alterntively it wouldn’t be to bad if they allowed the radio commentry on R5 to be broadcast outside the UK.
Daniel K said on 21st January 2010, 10:57
Good Job Keith!
I admire the efforts you have been doing on discuss and even to put some pressure to see F1 broadcast on Youtube.
Thank you and congratulations.
Howard Stern said on 21st January 2010, 13:38
Could someone please explain me as to what is this Indian League? Never heard of it at Dallas.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 21st January 2010, 14:20
It’s a cricket tournament.
Willian Ceolin said on 21st January 2010, 16:01
It’s strange noting as F1 has changed with web and the same time is against evolution.
They want “improve the show” but they’re blocking access to fans. It’s a contraditory question.
Hazel J said on 21st January 2010, 19:29
I think it would be a great idea to broadcast F1 on youtube, its actually how I got into F1, I was flicking through videos when I came across a video clip of F1 and i’ve been hooked ever since. Youtube and the internet is so huge, especially in America. Theres so many people F1 could reach through youtube, people that might not have been introduced to formula one otherwise, like myself. And surely this will eventually increase attendance at Grand Prix.
Also on another note one thing I would like to see F1 do is broadcast the thursday and friday press conferences, they always seem to have clips of them on the review DVD’s but i can’t seem to find any videos of them. I Know they’re available to read on the F1 website but theres so many comical moments in these interviews such as the Suti-Trulli argument, they could put that on youtube or the F1 website?
Jared said on 21st January 2010, 22:03
I’m pretty sure Bernie not only doesn’t know what YouTube is, he’s probably wondering what HD is as well.
“What’s all this HD nonsense people keep blabbering about? Rabbit ears worked for guys like Saddam Hussein, so why upgrade?”
Jay Menon said on 22nd January 2010, 8:08
Non Flyer…not a chance in hell.
Chaz said on 23rd January 2010, 19:23
Bernie does not understand the web and value that new media can bring to F1 unless you show him bottom line profits. I can just hear Bernie saying “it will be a cold day in hell before F1 is broadcast free on YouTube”. This is not likely to happen unless Chad can twist his arm and grease his palms…
Raguel Sentinella said on 2nd December 2010, 10:44
Download Youtube with Freecorder for FREE – yes, freeeeeeeeeeeee