Comments on: ITV Issues

By: Desmond Elmes

Desmond Elmes — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 15:58:03 +0000

On 8 March 1997 John Major was still Prime Minister, Glenn Hoddle was England manager, Ricky and Bianca were the talk of Albert Square - and at Albert Park in Melbourne, a certain ITV Sport figure was saying, “Do not adjust your sets. This is Formula 1 on ITV, I am Jim Rosenthal.” It is hard to believe that it has been a whole decade since ITV began their coverage of Formula 1. And to think of all that has happened during this time - Michael Schumacher’s dominance, Murray retiring, Beverley Turner coming and going, Steve Rider arriving from the Beeb, and all the criticism of James Allen and advertisements. But overall ITV have done a great job at covering Formula 1. Assuming they extend their contract beyond 2009, what might the next ten years hold?

By: steve

steve — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 23:03:51 +0000

Actually if the adverts were 2 hours long and Allen was talking we still wouldn’t miss anything he had to say. If you are in the uk turn the telly down and listen to the BBC - quality commentary

By: Clive Stafford

Clive Stafford — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:57:49 +0000

Italy have a good system whereby their TV adverts are only 5-10 seconds!, Although they are more frequent, it tends not to detract too much from the action, it would also allow James Allen to talk all through the ‘Cornflake’ ad ……

By: Stuart Crew

Stuart Crew — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 19:28:49 +0000

I have seen the race on the german channel RTL whilst on holiday. Some of you may know that they too have advertising breaks, but they have a solution to stopping the action. They shrink the F1 coverage to a small but viewable size and place it in the corner of the screen, whilst the rest of the screen shows thier Tv adverts. I think ITV should seriously consider this as it would mean we could watch the F1 and they could make thier money (and we would get a break from James Allen).
Alternativley, we could wait until 2009 when the ITV contract expires and hope that the BBC return to broadcasting F1.

By: Oliver White

Oliver White — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 21:53:22 +0000

I think Ted would do okay. He seems to be a very straight-talking man who is only interested in the facts. He also doesn’t mind asking Martin questions whilst on air, or deferring to someone who clearly knows more than him. I quite like Ted and wish ITV would make more use of his skill. But having said all that, does he have enough ’sparkle’ to be a ‘full-time’ commentator? Would he keep me engaged during a race? I think so, but then I have been following motorsports for quite a few years. He may be a little too bland for new-comers.

By: Desmond Elmes

Desmond Elmes — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 18:03:02 +0000

If James were to go, Ben Edwards would probably be the most suitable replacement for him. Edwards does a decent job commentating on the British Touring Car Championship. But then ITV could well do the same thing as they did when Murray left, and promote the pit lane man to commentator. In this case how would Ted Kravitz do?

By: Desmond Elmes

Desmond Elmes — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 17:23:08 +0000

What would be the reaction to James Allen commentating on Formula 1 if it was back on the BBC?

By: Joyce West

Joyce West — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 17:42:42 +0000

Could you tell me what has happend to Tony Jardine.My Email is joyceemarj@merseymail.com

Kind Regards
Joyce West

By: Oliver White

Oliver White — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 17:52:32 +0000

Chen, the strange arithmatic made me laugh. “70 and 23 makes 103.” Close James, but not close enough! Try 93…

By: Chen Reed

Chen Reed — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 03:17:03 +0000

I’ve put up with James Allen, but when he announced the football result during the commentary today before I got to see the match I am just plain angry.

The man is just not suitable for the job.