F1 Channel 4
| F1 on Channel 4 | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sports |
| Presented by |
Steve Jones (2016–) Eddie Jordan David Coulthard Susie Wolff |
| Opening theme | "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Editor(s) | Mark Wilkin |
| Location(s) | Worldwide |
| Release | |
| Original network | Channel 4 |
| Picture format | 16:9 (2016-) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
F1 Channel 4 is a British television programme dedicated to the coverage of Formula One motor racing and is broadcast by the British broadcaster Channel 4 from 2016 onwards.
History
On 21 December 2015, the BBC announced that it would end its deal with Formula One three years early due to budget cuts[1] and would transfer the remaining 3 years to Channel 4. Channel 4 will be showing 10 selected races live without advertisements while the rest of the races will be seen as highlights. Channel 4 will be the first free-to-air station that will not run commercial breaks during its 10 live races.[2]
Channel 4 will broadcast from 2016 to the end of the 2018 seasons after purchasing the rights shared with Sky Sports from BBC. Channel 4 will also show the race and associated events of the British Grand Prix and final race weekend.[3] Extended highlights will be shown of all races a few hours after the finish. Live race coverage will be produced by Whisper Films, with North One Television to produce accompanying programmes.[4] Channel 4's full presenting team was announced on 8 March 2016.
Channel 4 also announced that "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac would be their title music, the song previously used by the BBC's coverage.[5]
| Name | Appearances | Role | Job |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Coulthard[4] | All races | Co-Commentator & Lead analyst | Co-commentator for qualifying and race day, Coulthard also provides expert analysis of qualifying and races, in addition to the pre-race grid-walk. He previously covered F1 on BBC from 2009–2015 and also director of Whisper Films. |
| Steve Jones | All races | Presenter | Not previously worked on Formula 1 coverage |
| Ben Edwards | All races | Lead Commentator | Previously lead commentator for Eurosport 1994-1996 and BBC F1 2012-2015. Also worked on ITV BTCC coverage. |
| Karun Chandhok | All races | Colour Commentator / Pit lane reporter / Technical Analyst | Previously worked for Sky Sports F1 & BBC Radio 5 Live |
| Lee McKenzie | Most races (not Olympics and Paralympics) | Driver interviewer | Also did this role for BBC F1 2009-2015 |
| Murray Walker[4] | On rota | Interviewer | He previously commentated on F1 for BBC from 1950-1996 & ITV Sport from 1997-2008. Occasional contributor to BBC F1 2009-2015. Co-commentator for British Grand Prix |
| Nic Hamilton[4] | On rota | ||
| Susie Wolff[4] | All races | Analyst | |
| Mark Webber[4] | Most races (All that do not collide with WEC) | Analyst | Occasional reporter/analyst for BBC F1 2014-2015 |
| Eddie Jordan[4] | On rota (when not working on Top Gear) | Lead analyst | Worked for BBC F1 2009-2015 |
| Alex Zanardi[4] | |||
| Alain Prost[4] | On rota | special analyst | |
| Bruno Senna[4] | On rota | Special Correspondent | Previously worked for Sky Sports F1 |
| Tony Dodgins[4] | Live races | Commentator & Producer | Dodgins fills in when needed |
The 10 live race weekends to be broadcast by Channel 4 in 2016 are:[6]
| Round | Grand Prix | Circuit | Date | Pundits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Bahrain |  Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir | 1-3 April | Coulthard, Webber, Wolff |
| 5 | Spain |  Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona | 13–15 May | Coulthard, Wolff, Prost |
| 8 | Europe |  Baku City Circuit, Baku | 17–19 June | Coulthard, Jordan, TBC |
| 10 | Britain |  Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone | 8–10 July | Coulthard, Jordan, Wolff, Hamilton, Prost, Senna, Walker, Webber (TBC) |
| 11 | Hungary |  Hungaroring, Budapest | 22–24 July | Coulthard, |
| 13 | Belgium | .svg.png){kind=small} Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot | 26–28 August | Coulthard, |
| 14 | Italy |  Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza | 2–4 September | Coulthard, |
| 16 | Malaysia |  Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur | 30 September–2 October | Coulthard, |
| 19 | Mexico |  Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City | 28–30 October | Coulthard, |
| 21 | Abu Dhabi |  Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi | 25–27 November | Coulthard, Jordan, Webber, (confirmed) Wolff, Hamilton, Prost, Senna, Walker,(TBC) |
Producers / Editors
- Mark Wilkin (editor)
- Steve Aldous (Assistant Editor)
- Tony Dodgins (commentary producer)
- Tim Hampel (producer)
References
- ↑ "BBC to end F1 contract". BBC. BBC. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- ↑ "Channel 4 becomes terrestrial home of F1". Channel 4. Channel 4. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- ↑ "Channel 4 becomes terrestrial home of Formula 1". Channel 4. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Channel 4 awards Formula One production contract to Whisper Films". Channel 4. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- ↑ Klein, Jamie (12 February 2016). "Channel 4 to keep 'The Chain' as F1 theme song". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
- ↑ "Channel 4 announces 2016 live Formula 1 races". Channel 4. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.