BTCC last 10 years, Review!

[mark]

MotorsTV on sky is advertising a programme about the last 10 years of the BTCC and DTM, 'The Best Bits'. Well worth a look. On all through March apparently. :D

[Les]

I will have to keep an eye open for that...

[John]

If its on more than once is there any chance that someone would be so kind enough to make an extra recording of it and I'll cover tape and postage costs cos I havent got access to non-terrestrial TV :mad: Thats if the programme is any good of course! :) :)

[Amanda]

John ~ I will try and tape it for you. Will send you a PM when the tape is ready to post!

[John]

Cool - THANK YOU - dont put yourself out though! :) :)

[Peter]

That should make for some interesting viewing. Do please tell me when the first broadcast takes place.

I hope Carlton Kirby isn't doing it though.

[MG-ZS EX260]

hving only followed the BTCC in 2001 and 2002 it will be great to wathc the races from years ago, the only one ive been to bfore that must have been about 1995, when i was about 7 yrs old! and it was an easter weekend at donnington, i didnt have a clue about the BTCC or cars atall, and it bored me, from what i can remembr one of the audis won, it will be great if i could see that race.

[Amanda]

Originally posted by John
Cool - THANK YOU - dont put yourself out though! :) :)

John ~ no problem! If you find out when it is on let me know so I don't miss it!

[lauz]

tonite at 9pm motors tv are showing the 1993 DTM review. not sure about the btcc ones though.

[Amanda]

Just seen an ad on Motors - 10 year review on Sunday 23rd at 10.00pm.

John - video will be warmed up and ready to run!!!

[Peter]

Damn! It clashes with CART, and the end of the IRL race.:(

Good news- a repeat on monday at 7pm:)

[MGmad]

Am I being to over-reactive when I say that as less than 70% of people own a dish or any kind of non-analog and terrestrial television, it is more than just a little wrong that once again Sky show they have the monopoly on the quality programmes?

The top headline on this site say that Sky will broadcast a hstory of the BTCC.
My point is that it is the kind of quality programming that the main terrestrial television networks like ITV1 need if they are to improve their viewing figures and make a profit. But they are not getting it and Sky and BSkyB are playing with fire in not providing that to what is still the dominant type of television which is available.
Point being is that if this carries much longer I feel sometime in the future the figures and short term profit of the terrestrial networks could be so low they will not be able to turn over a long-term sustainable profit and will be forced to be sold of. And when, it may not be that way in the future, but certainly today, the company is part of the most dominant type of television like terrestrial analog TV is, that is dangerous to the point that the minority networks like Sky and the minority of the viewing public could be left. The majority networks, with their analog trasmission type, and their viewers will go.

ITV1, especially must fight harder for the quality programming like a history of the BTCC.

[V6.]

Its still good watching the old DTM though. Those old mercs look great kitted up.
Did anyone else see that BMW hit the barrier head on and do a stunman style roll? He was fine

[John]

I agree - we dont have sky and are not in an area where cable etc is available. That BBC freeview thing needs an aeriel upgrade and still only gives you a few channels. This is the norm round our parts - (even channel 5 is a very dodgy reception, and go 20 miles up the A1 and you cant get it at all!) In the city there's cable and that not only gives you more TV choice but better phone deals etc too. But the costs of putting in the infrastructure mean its limited to areas of high population densities.

I think this is forgotton by broadcasters. Yes its possible to get sky but for the money you have to spend it doesnt seem worth it, and prior to motor-racing being on sky channels the only thing I found worth watching was football, and usually go to the pub if I'm bothered enough to want to watch the game.

I dont know anything about the history of the BTCC programme, it may be that it was commissioned by the channel showing it, in which case thats fair enough. But if it was produced independently then auctioned to the highest bidder then I think its pretty poor that ITV didnt take it up.

But to be fair to the non-terrestrial channels, they are doing what they should be - ie getting good programmes to make more people sign up to their channel so we cant fault them.

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Depends where you come from I suppose. Just speaking for Haverhill and surrounding area but most houses have a dish on them these days. Considering that the government wanted to phase out terrestrial eventually then it will keep growing.

Oviously the costs are a problem but Sky are bringing back their just buy the dish and box to recive the free channels package I belive.

The History of the BTCC program was made by Motors TV for Motors TV as was the season review program which has been shown a fair few times.

[MGmad]

This will confirm it for us. This is the whole article on the show:

In short Independant satellite broadaster Motors TV with broadcast, from Sunday March 23 the first of three shows on the development of the series from 1991 to the present.

Entitled "The BTCC Story", it will begin with the races from late Will Hoy's title in the BMW M3 to the success of former F1 driver Gabrielle Traquini in the Alfa 155 in 1994.

The programmes are part of the build-up to the new season is available free to satellite subscribers in Europe and the UK and will carries live coverage of all the rounds as well as all the support races.

So although it only covers 10 years or so, and doesn't cover it from the days of the dominat drivers like Win Percy and Andy Rouse or the latter day greats like Alain Menu and Rydell and so falls a little short of what the satellite subscribers will be probably expecting, it still proves that as I stated this is the quality of programming that is in the mainstream of satellite television.

[Claw]

I ain't got sky either and i'm naffed off that i'm missing the BTCC History programme! :(

[touring fan]

Is the history programme the same as the video and DVD that's out?

[John]

Originally posted by touring fan
Is the history programme the same as the video and DVD that's out?

Is that the one thats in WHSmiths? Been out for a year or so? Doubt it as it seems to suggest its up to the present day - ie 2002, whereas the video cant go up that far - but I may be well wrong!!

Think a programme looking at pre 1991 would be a good idea, as the pre 91 vids are a ****** to get hold of so many people havent seen those races. I've got all the videos back to and including 1988 but cant find anything from before that so I'd appreciate a pre 1990 footage review and sure others would too.

[V6.]

The thing is that we (sky owners) pay for the extra privelidge of having better choice and sometimes quality of program. In my eyes it is worth it, my parents were very sceptical at first but would never turn back now.

[John]

True - but there are a lot of people without internet access and that is seen as a major disadvantage which gets govt funding to address, eg computers at discounted prices or free access in community centres etc. The govt are wanting everyone to have digital tv and access to the channels offered - well many people are not in a postition to get such services (ie those who cant afford it)

Tricky one - but dont think those that dont have access should be disadvantaged - in F1 terrestrial viewers got a poorer coverage than digital viewers. this didnt really affect the number of people taking up the digital feed (which is why its been scrapped) but did mean the quality of the show was adversely affected for all the terrestrial viewers, which did affect the sport to some degree. (as reflected by the fact Bernie made the feed available at US GP)

[Alan]

I guess we will find out in half an hour if this programme is the same as the WH Smith tape which came out a couple of years ago.

That tape is just two hours, and if this is three one hour programmes then there must be some additional material (or a lot of ads!).

I can understand the frustration of those of you who don't have satellite though. I am sure those of us who see the programme will let you all know if you missed anything.

I believe that Motors is not available by cable either, making it even more annoying.

Mind you - there are an awful lot of dishes out there these days.

[Mocko]

I don't think anybody will be missing anything.

I can't see it but I'm guessing it's just all the best bits you can see from buying a BTCC video from Duke. It'll probably be aimed for the Motors TV viewers who don't know much BTCC.

Anyway, the BTCC 2002 review on Motors TV was badly done so I don't think I'll be missing it.

[Les]

It was the video from WHS but it was still lovely to watch.

What got me was how many I still see drive and how much the circuits had (and hadn't) changed.

Silverstone I could hardly recognise but Snetterton was as I remember except.... was the straight shorter?

I even saw a mate in the background.

[runnyhunny]

Originally posted by MGmad
Am I being to over-reactive?

In short, yes! :)

MotorsTV has very little to do with Sky. They pay for inclusion on Sky Digital's EPG, but that's it.

MotorsTV is free-to-air on digital satellite - the same satellite that Sky use for much of 'Sky Digital' (Astra 28.2E, I think).

People in Europe can get FTA digital satellite setups reasonably cheaply, and in the UK, a Sky digibox works well enough (with or without a Sky subscription).

Personally, I'm going to phone Sky, and get their £120 non-subscription offer, just so I can watch MotorsTV. Worth every penny, i think!

And as for the popularity of digital TV, the last figures I saw were that about 40% of households have digital terrestrial (Freeview), digital satellie (Sky, or a free-to-air setup), or digital cable (ntl or Telewest). Of course, many households have multiple TVs, so 40% is only a fraction of TVs in the UK.

MotorsTV is highly-specialised - that's the beauty of satellite. A channel like that simply couldn't be on UK terrestrial TV, as nowhere near enough people would watch it. However, on a Europe-wide satellite, it works!

[MGmad]

Oooo!! Temper, Temper runnyhunny!!

You know sometimes I wonder whether I am allowed an opinion!

By the way, how a discussion I raised on a seperate thread got to be on someone elses is anyones guess!!!!

Anyway as you will have conveiniently missed I am sure, the whole gist of my much rejected opinion is, as a primative analog viewer of the terrestrial network channels I feel more than just a little peeved that all the digital and satellite network stations seem to comission the best quality programming, and therefore have the monopoly on the programming that is broadcast.

If the terrestrial channels are to survive the gradual phasing out of the medium in favour of subscribtion funded digital and satellite netwoks they need to find brains that can create that kind of programming for them to comission. Highlights just aren't enough for the sports fan without the reddies to pay for a box and or dish. We never see in-depth programming. The kind that looks into the very history of the sport.

Start comissioning the production of such programming ITV!

[tvgod]

Originally posted by MGmad
Am I being to over-reactive when I say that as less than 70% of people own a dish or any kind of non-analog and terrestrial television, it is more than just a little wrong that once again Sky show they have the monopoly on the quality programmes?


You'd certainly be wrong, as 42% of the UK has digital TV at the moment - that is more than have internet access.

You'd also be wrong to say that this is anything to do with Sky. Motors TV have no connection with Sky.



My point is that it is the kind of quality programming that the main terrestrial television networks like ITV1 need if they are to improve their viewing figures and make a profit.


Well ITV is already the UK's most watched channel and is already profitable.

And a ten year history of the BTCC is very much niche programming which belongs on a dedicated motorsport channel, not on a general entertainment channel.



Anyway as you will have conveiniently missed I am sure, the whole gist of my much rejected opinion is, as a primative analog viewer of the terrestrial network channels I feel more than just a little peeved that all the digital and satellite network stations seem to comission the best quality programming, and therefore have the monopoly on the programming that is broadcast.

Well perhaps you should stop living in the past and embrace the digital revolution. You'll find that in every respect there's more depth, and more choice.



If the terrestrial channels are to survive the gradual phasing out of the medium in favour of subscribtion funded digital and satellite netwoks they need to find brains that can create that kind of programming for them to comission. Highlights just aren't enough for the sports fan without the reddies to pay for a box and or dish. We never see in-depth programming. The kind that looks into the very history of the sport.


Highlights is the best you are going to get of a minority sport on a major terrestrial channel - in fact you should consider yourself lucky to get any coverage of the BTCC at all on terrestrial tv.

Granada and Motors TV should be congratulated for gambling on live coverage of every round - something which the BTCC has never had before. Live television is extremely expensive to produce. let's hope they can succeed in making this profitably, so that it continues next year.

[thommo_fan]

the motorstv deal is brillient news but people without sky do get a raw deal.
but in this day everything comes at a price and if you want all these extra channels you have to pay for them.
a month ago i got sky and now i hardly ever watch terrestrial tv, the range of channels is fantastic.

[runnyhunny]

Originally posted by MGmad
Oooo!! Temper, Temper runnyhunny!!

Not at all. I thought I was calm! :)




Anyway as you will have conveiniently missed I am sure, the whole gist of my much rejected opinion is, as a primative analog viewer of the terrestrial network channels I feel more than just a little peeved that all the digital and satellite network stations seem to comission the best quality programming, and therefore have the monopoly on the programming that is broadcast.



They don't. In general, the programming on digital satellite, cable and terrestrial is tat (shopping, reality TV etc.). However, the up-side is that minority interests can thrive.




If the terrestrial channels are to survive the gradual phasing out of the medium in favour of subscribtion funded digital and satellite netwoks



Stop there. That ain't happenning.

In case you didn't know, all the UK's digital terrestrial channels are free-to-air. In addition, a number of free-to-air channels exist on digital satellite (e.g. MotorsTV). Thankfully, more free-to-air channels will be appearing on digital satellite (thanks to the Beeb's recent move).




We never see in-depth programming. The kind that looks into the very history of the sport.



Mainstream TV channels will not be interested. It's as simple as that.

[runnyhunny]

Originally posted by thommo_fan
if you want all these extra channels you have to pay for them.

For £120, you can get a Sky contractor to fit a dish and give you a digibox. The only snag is that you can only watch the free-to-air and free-to-view channels (this includes MotorsTV) and that you have to keep the digibox plugged into a telephone socket for a year.

Well worth it, in my opinion.

A potential problem for TOCA is that £120 is significantly less than the effective cost of a season ticket! :)

[lauz]

saw the program last night and i was surprised at how competitive the racing was especally between will hoy, steve soper and john cleland. i was quite dissappointed that they only concentrated on the top drivers of the year they were showing at the time. i would have liked to have seen a bit more of the drivers further down the field.

[John]

Originally posted by lauz
saw the program last night and i was surprised at how competitive the racing was especally between will hoy, steve soper and john cleland. i was quite dissappointed that they only concentrated on the top drivers of the year they were showing at the time. i would have liked to have seen a bit more of the drivers further down the field.

I assume the footage is from the review vids. These videos always concentrate on the front runners and VERY rarely do you see the less competitive cars on screen. This is the same even back in 88-90 days. Its probably less noticeable now because there are fewer cars and most will find there way on screen in the review. But I totally agree that there is a lot of good stuff further back that never gets seen.

Think one of the reasons (especially a few years back) is that there were (are?) only a limited number of on board cameras, which obviously go on the cometitive cars. The other cars only appear if they crash or do something pretty spectacular and sometimes thats missed as well.

But I suppose theres only so much you can show in a 180minute season review so something has to go.

[Les]

Originally posted by lauz
i would have liked to have seen a bit more of the drivers further down the field.

same here as my mate Dave Pinkney was out there :)

[Alan]

The racing in the early 90's was always good. Very entertaining.
There are people around who think of that period as the hey day of the BTCC - and I can see their point.

Alot of top names were in it then, but times move on.

[Reynard]

I'll agree about the late 80s and early 90s BTCC being good to watch - I got my paws on the 92, 93 and 94 season reviews at an autojumble previous weekend and ended up watching all three tapes more or less in one go.

I'd forgotten how entertaining the racing was back then. particularly as until 1994, the cars were much more evenly matched. To be honest, I think that Alfa bringing wings into the BTCC did spoil the racing. Too much aerodynamic grip doesn't make for very good overtaking :( I find BTCC has been disappointing to watch in recent years - I think that the quality just isn't there.

However, heaven is some motor racing tapes, a pile of bacon butties, some cream doughnuts and a pot of tea... ;)

I don't have sky hence no Motors TV. However, I do have a very obliging mate who lives just a short bus ride away. I can either go round his to watch stuff or he tapes it for me and turns it into a video CD. And all in return for a nice home-cooked meal!

[The Stig]

Might be the best bet for most of us, benevelant mates. My mum has promised to tape me races as they appear on MotorsTV. Being mere plebs with access only to NTL digital cable this will be a godsend. Would be great if Men and Motors TV channel which in a great many respects is absolutely crap, would air the whole race recorded later.

[turbowomble]

Originally posted by Reynard
[B].....a pile of bacon butties, some cream doughnuts and a pot of tea.....[B]

My God Reynard, your cholesterol must be sky high! :eek: :D

[Frank Rizzo]

Fab Fab Fab Fab Fab

Outstanding entertainment.

It was sooo funny seeing John Cleland's commentary on the skills and attributes of a certain Mr Soper! The good old days where you could blatantly take someone out to get your team mate the championship, or so it seems!

And wouldn't you have loved to be at the Toyota driver meeting after Hoy and Rouse (I think) took each other out (at Oulton?).

Really enjoyed the 1st episode - I take it they are doing 3 parts? Can't wait!