Scheduling: The 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix

The Hungarian Grand Prix marks the half way stage of the 2016 Formula One season as the championship edges closer to its Summer break. Typically, Hungary is the race to lead F1 into the Summer, but this year the Hungaroring forms a back-to-back with the German Grand Prix one week later.

Channel 4 will again be live throughout the weekend, Hungary marking their fifth live round this year. In a late schedule change, their race day broadcast will now finish at 15:45, not 15:30 as originally billed. Elsewhere, BBC’s radio coverage is largely depleted due to Test Match cricket coverage on 5 Live Sports Extra. And outside of the Formula 1 world, BT Sport 2 will be airing live coverage of the World Endurance Championship for the first time ever. It is assumed that BT will be airing it in the eventuality that Motors TV failed to return to the air. Who will be commentating on BT’s coverage is not yet clear.

BT Sport are also airing a feast of motor sport from Silverstone. The BT team will be on-site led by former MotoGP presenter Abi Griffiths, with the usual faces of Ben Evans and Keith Collantine also featuring. Saturday’s coverage airs from 12:30 to 17:00 on BT Sport//ESPN and then 12:30 to 17:00 on BT Sport Europe on Sunday.

Below are all the details you need in what is a fairly packed schedule…

Channel 4 F1
Sessions
22/07 – 08:55 to 10:40 – Practice 1
22/07 – 12:55 to 14:40 – Practice 2
23/07 – 09:55 to 11:25 – Practice 3
23/07 – 11:55 to 14:30 – Qualifying
24/07 – 12:00 to 15:45 – Race
24/07 – 23:45 to 00:45 – Highlights

Sky Sports F1
Sessions
22/07 – 08:45 to 11:00 – Practice 1
22/07 – 12:45 to 14:55 – Practice 2
23/07 – 09:45 to 11:15 – Practice 3
23/07 – 12:00 to 14:35 – Qualifying (also Sky Sports 1)
24/07 – 11:30 to 16:15 – Race (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 11:30 – Track Parade
=> 12:00 – Pit Lane Live
=> 12:30 – Race
=> 15:30 – Paddock Live

Supplementary Programming
20/07 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Preview
21/07 – 14:00 to 14:30 – Driver Press Conference
21/07 – 20:45 to 21:00 – Paddock Uncut
22/07 – 15:30 to 16:00 – Team Press Conference
22/07 – 16:00 to 16:30 – The F1 Show
27/07 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Review

BBC Radio F1
21/07 – 21:00 to 22:00 – Preview (BBC Radio 5 Live)
24/07 – 13:00 to 15:00 – Race (BBC Radio 5 Live)

British Superbikes – Thruxton
23/07 – 14:00 to 16:00 – Qualifying (Eurosport 2)
24/07 – 12:30 to 18:00 – Races (Eurosport 2)
27/07 – 20:00 to 21:00 – Highlights (ITV4)

Euroformula – Silverstone
23/07 – Race 1
=> 14:00 to 15:00 (BT Sport//ESPN)
=> 14:05 to 15:00 (Motors TV)
24/07 – Race 2
=> 14:15 to 15:15 (BT Sport Europe)

Formula V8 3.5 – Silverstone
23/07 – 12:30 to 14:00 – Race 1 (BT Sport//ESPN)
24/07 – 12:30 to 14:15 – Race 2 (BT Sport Europe)

GP2 Series – Hungary (Sky Sports F1)
22/07 – 11:00 to 11:50 – Practice
22/07 – 14:55 to 15:30 – Qualifying (also Sky Sports 1)
23/07 – 14:35 to 16:05 – Race 1
24/07 – 09:20 to 10:35 – Race 2

GP3 Series – Hungary (Sky Sports F1)
23/07 – 08:45 to 09:20 – Qualifying
23/07 – 16:15 to 17:15 – Race 1
24/07 – 08:10 to 09:10 – Race 2

International GT Open – Silverstone
23/07 – Race 1
=> 15:00 to 16:50 (Motors TV)
=> 15:00 to 17:00 (BT Sport//ESPN)
24/07 – Race 2
=> 15:15 to 17:00 (BT Sport Europe)

Porsche Supercup – Hungary (Eurosport 2)
24/07 – 10:30 to 11:15 – Race

Virgin Australia Supercars – Ipswich
23/07 – 07:00 to 08:15 – Race 16 (BT Sport 1)
24/07 – 04:45 to 06:45 – Race 17 (BT Sport 2)

World Endurance Championship – Nurburgring
24/07 – 11:30 to 18:10 – Race (Motors TV)
24/07 – 11:30 to 18:30 – Race (BT Sport 2)
24/07 – 18:00 to 19:15 – Race (Eurosport 2)

Updated on July 21st to reflect Channel 4’s extended race day programme. Updated again on July 24th, swap of channels for BT Sport’s Sunday shows.

What the future holds for Motors TV

Today, as has been the case sporadically over the past few months, Motors TV again disappeared from Sky’s television platform. However, on this occasion, the channel also went offline for Virgin Media viewers.

A reputable insider on Digital Spy Forum has since posted about it, stating that the channel was put into receivership five weeks ago by a French court (Motors TV is a French company).

Verif.com allows the public to browse basic details for individual companies, a bit like Companies House in the UK. The record for Motors TV shows that a court decision was taken on May 31st, 2016, i.e. five weeks ago. The court decision is known as a “backup procedure”. The procedure suspends the payment of debts for those businesses, such as Motors TV, who are in money difficulty.

The benefit of a “backup procedure” is that the company can be reorganised so that creditors can be paid. In essence, reading between the lines, “backup procedure” is the French term for “receivership”. It therefore seems likely that Sky and Virgin Media, and whoever else, have not been paid (yet) and have taken Motors TV off their respective EPG slots for the moment until they have been paid.

The court judgment, issued on June 10th, 2016, can be found here. The judgment does mention appointing administrators and also receivership, by stating “Receivables are to declare, within two months of this publication, to the Judicial Agent or the web portal at <weblink>”

Based on the information in the public domain, the picture looks bleak…

Update on July 8th – Motors TV is back on the EPG so it is here, for now.

Scheduling: The 2016 Austrian Grand Prix

The 2016 Formula One season continues as the championship heads firmly to the European heartland for the Austrian Grand Prix.

It is the third year back on the calendar for the Red Bull Ring, all three years have been broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports. Martin Brundle and Anthony Davidson are back with Sky this weekend after their 24 Hours of Le Mans absence. Over on Channel 4, Lee McKenzie is not with the team due to her BBC commitments with Wimbledon, however she will be appearing as a guest on Sunday Brunch at 09:30 on Sunday morning. Holly Samos, who is a name former listeners to BBC’s 5 Live F1 coverage may recognise, will be covering for McKenzie this weekend.

Things look a bit different for BBC’s radio team as well. With the Austrian Grand Prix clashing with the Formula E season finale, neither Jack Nicholls or Jennie Gow will be part of BBC’s team. Tom Clarkson, Allan McNish and 5 Live sports reporter Claire Cottingham will be covering duties. All the schedule details as usual are listed below and, for the London ePrix schedule, head over here…

Channel 4 F1
Sessions
02/07 – 17:30 to 19:00 – Qualifying Highlights
03/07 – 18:00 to 20:00 – Race Highlights

Sky Sports F1
Sessions
01/07 – 08:45 to 11:00 – Practice 1
01/07 – 12:45 to 14:55 – Practice 2
02/07 – 09:45 to 11:15 – Practice 3
02/07 – 12:00 to 14:35 – Qualifying (also Sky Sports 1)
03/07 – 11:30 to 16:15 – Race (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 11:30 – Track Parade
=> 12:00 – Pit Lane Live
=> 12:30 – Race
=> 15:30 – Paddock Live

Supplementary Programming
29/06 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Preview
30/06 – 14:00 to 14:30 – Driver Press Conference
30/06 – 20:45 to 21:00 – Paddock Uncut
01/07 – 15:30 to 16:00 – Team Press Conference
01/07 – 16:00 to 16:30 – The F1 Show

BBC Radio F1
01/07 – 08:55 to 10:35 – Practice 1 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
01/07 – 12:55 to 14:35 – Practice 2 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
03/07 – 13:00 to 15:00 – Race (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Blancpain Sprint Series – Nurburgring (BT Sport 2)
03/07 – 13:00 to 15:00 – Race

FIM CEV Repsol – Albacete (BT Sport Europe)
03/07 – 09:45 to 14:00 – Races

GP2 Series – Austria (Sky Sports F1)
01/07 – 11:00 to 11:50 – Practice
01/07 – 14:55 to 15:30 – Qualifying
02/07 – 14:35 to 16:05 – Race 1 (also Sky Sports 1)
03/07 – 09:25 to 10:40 – Race 2

GP3 Series – Austria (Sky Sports F1)
02/07 – 08:45 to 09:20 – Qualifying
02/07 – 16:10 to 17:10 – Race 1
03/07 – 08:15 to 09:15 – Race 2

Porsche Supercup – Austria (Eurosport)
03/07 – 10:30 to 11:20 – Race

TCR International Series – Russia (Motors TV)
03/07 – 10:25 to 11:45 – Race

World Rally Championship – Poland
30/06 – 18:00 to 19:00 – Stage 1 Live (BT Sport Europe)
01/07 – Day 1 Highlights
=> 22:00 to 22:30 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
02/07 – Day 2 Highlights
=> 22:00 to 22:30 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
03/07 – 08:00 to 09:00 – Stage 2 Live (BT Sport 1)
03/07 – 11:00 to 12:00 – Stage 3 Live (BT Sport 2)
03/07 – Day 3 Highlights
=> 22:00 to 22:30 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
04/07 – 19:00 to 20:00 – Highlights (Channel 5)

As always, if anything changes, I will update the schedule.

Last updated on June 30th, to add information about Claire Cottingham and Holly Samos.

Scheduling: The 2016 Canadian Grand Prix

Next weekend sees Formula 1’s annual June stateside trip to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix! Unfortunately for Formula 1, next weekend also marks the beginning of Euro 2016, heralding a summer of sport that also includes Wimbledon and the Olympic Games from Rio.

Sky Sports F1’s live coverage from Montreal sees the qualifying programme clash with Wales vs Slovakia and the build-up to England vs Russia, whilst the race itself on the Sunday clashes with the first half of Germany vs Ukraine. To be honest, from FOM’s point of view, you could not really schedule either qualifying or the race any differently: move qualifying to 18:30 UK time and you run into more of the England build-up, move the race to 18:30 UK time and you get into a clash with Poland vs Northern Ireland. Alternatively, what is worse: a double header from Monaco to Canada or a double header from Canada to Baku. I’ll let you decide…

Due to the aforementioned Euro 2016, BBC’s radio coverage is on the light side, with only updates from qualifying and the race itself covered on either 5 Live or their sister station. As if ratings have not dropped significantly already this season, I am expecting the percentage drops to be severe for Canada, also partially due to the fact that Channel 4’s coverage is highlights only whereas the BBC aired Canada live from 2013 to 2015. I fear for Channel 4’s numbers over the weekend, I really do. Like last year, Sky are simulcasting the race on Sky Sports 1.

Staying with Channel 4, their coverage of the World Endurance Championship begins on Saturday 11th June, with highlights of the first round from Silverstone at 06:35. Below are all the details you need.

Channel 4 F1
Sessions
11/06 – 22:00 to 23:35 – Qualifying Highlights
12/06 – 22:40 to 00:45 – Race Highlights

Sky Sports F1
Sessions
10/06 – 14:45 to 16:50 – Practice 1
10/06 – 18:45 to 21:00 – Practice 2
11/06 – 14:45 to 16:15 – Practice 3
11/06 – 17:00 to 19:45 – Qualifying
12/06 – 17:30 to 22:15 – Race
=> 17:30 – Track Parade (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 18:00 – Pit Lane Live (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 18:30 – Race (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 21:30 – Paddock Live

Supplementary Programming
08/06– 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Preview
09/06 – 16:00 to 16:30 – Driver Press Conference
09/06 – 20:45 to 21:00 – Paddock Uncut
10/06 – 21:00 to 21:30 – Team Press Conference
10/06 – 21:30 to 22:00 – The F1 Show
15/06 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Review

BBC Radio F1
11/06 – 19:00 to 20:00 – Qualifying Updates (BBC Radio 5 Live)
12/06 – 18:45 to 21:30 – Race (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)

British GT – Silverstone (Motors TV)
12/06 – 12:30 to 16:00 – Race

FIM CEV Repsol – Catalunya (BT Sport//ESPN)
12/06 – 09:45 to 15:00 – Races

FIM World Endurance Championship – 12 Hours of Portimao (Eurosport 2)
11/06 – 09:15 to 12:00 – Part 1
11/06 – 19:00 to 21:45 – Part 2

IndyCar Series – Firestone 600
~~11/06 (Saturday night) – 01:30 to 04:00 – Race (BT Sport//ESPN)~~
12/06 – 19:00 to 21:30 – Race (BT Sport 2)

Speedway Grand Prix – Denmark (BT Sport 1)
11/06 – 17:45 to 21:15 – Races

World Rally Championship – Italy
10/06 – Day 1 Highlights
=> 22:30 to 23:00 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
11/06 – Day 2 Highlights
=> 21:15 to 21:45 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
12/06 – 08:00 to 09:00 – Stage 1 Live (BT Sport 1)
12/06 – 11:00 to 12:00 – Power Stage Live (BT Sport 1)
12/06 – Day 3 Highlights
=> 21:30 to 22:00 (BT Sport 1)
=> 22:35 to 23:05 (Motors TV)
14/06 – 19:00 to 20:00 – Highlights (Channel 5)

World Touring Car Championship – Moscow
11/06 – 12:00 to 13:30 – Qualifying (Eurosport 2)
12/06 – 10:00 to 12:00 – Races (Eurosport 1)
=> 10:00 – Race 1
=> 11:00 – Race 2

As always, if anything changes, I will update the schedule.

Last updated on June 7th to reflect Channel 4’s race highlights being pushed back ten minutes. Updated as well on June 12th to reflect the rain-delayed IndyCar race being rescheduled.

Scheduling: The 2016 Berlin ePrix / Italian MotoGP

The penultimate stop on the 2015-16 Formula E calendar takes the championship to Berlin this weekend. It marks round eight of ten before the season concludes with a double header in London in early July.

On the Formula E broadcasting side, Allan McNish is co-commentator alongside Jack Nicholls due to Dario Franchitti’s Indianapolis 500 commitments. It is a replica of BBC’s 5 Live team with Jennie Gow presenting for ITV, the only difference is that Tom Clarkson has yet to get involved with Formula E! Due to Peston on Sunday, Formula E’s highlights programme on ITV airs slightly later than usual on Sunday morning at 11:00.

Speaking of the famous American oval race, BT Sport//ESPN will be covering both Indy 500 qualifying days live for the first time ever. The move is an attempt by the channel to boost their IndyCar coverage in response to feedback from fans. Elsewhere on free-to-air television, British Superbikes is airing live on Quest TV due to coverage of the French Open Tennis and the Giro d’Italia cycling tour on Eurosport.

On two wheels, Suzi Perry will not be presenting BT Sport’s MotoGP coverage due to illness. Below are all the scheduling details you need…

MotoGP – Italy (BT Sport 2)
20/05 – 08:00 to 15:00
=> 08:00 – Practice 1
=> 10:45 – Reaction and Build-Up
=> 12:00 – Practice 2
21/05 – 08:00 to 15:15
=> 08:00 – Practice 3
=> 11:00 – Qualifying
22/05 – 07:30 to 09:15 – Warm Up
22/05 – 09:30 to 15:00
=> 09:30 – Moto3 race
=> 11:15 – Moto2 race
=> 12:45 – MotoGP race
=> 14:00 – Chequered Flag

MotoGP – Italy (ITV4)
23/05 – 21:00 to 22:00 – Highlights

Formula E – Berlin (online via YouTube)
21/05 – 07:10 to 08:10 – Practice 1
21/05 – 09:25 to 10:10 – Practice 2
21/05 – 10:45 to 12:10 – Qualifying

Formula E – Berlin
21/05 – 14:00 to 16:30 – Race (ITV4)
22/05 – 11:00 to 12:00 – Highlights (ITV)

British Superbikes – Brands Hatch Indy
21/05 – 14:00 to 16:00 – Qualifying (British Eurosport 2 and Quest TV)
22/05 – 12:30 to 18:00 – Races (Quest TV)
25/05 – 21:00 to 22:00 – Highlights (ITV4)

DTM – Austria
21/05 – 16:30 to 17:45 – Race 1 (BT Sport//ESPN)

Euroformula – Belgium
21/05 – Race 1
=> 13:25 to 14:20 (Motors TV)
=> 13:30 to 14:30 (BT Sport//ESPN)
22/05 – Race 2
=> 12:15 to 13:10 (Motors TV)
=> 12:15 to 13:15 (BT Sport//ESPN)

Formula 3 Europe – Austria
21/05 – Race 1
=> 09:30 to 10:30 (BT Sport 1)
=> 09:35 to 10:40 (Motors TV)
22/05 – 10:10 to 11:15 – Race 2 (Motors TV)

Formula V8 3.5 – Belgium (BT Sport//ESPN)
21/05 – 12:00 to 13:30 – Race 1
22/05 – 14:45 to 16:00 – Race 2

IndyCar Series – Indianapolis 500 Qualifying (BT Sport//ESPN)
21/05 – 21:00 to 23:00 – Day 1
22/05 – 21:00 to 23:00 – Day 2

International GT Open – Belgium
21/05 – 14:30 to 16:00 – Race 1
=> 14:20 to 16:00 (Motors TV)
=> 14:30 to 16:00 (BT Sport//ESPN)
22/05 – 13:15 to 14:45 – Race 2
=> 13:10 to 14:45 (Motors TV)
=> 13:15 to 14:45 (BT Sport//ESPN)

Virgin Australia Supercars – Winton Supersprint (BT Sport 1)
21/05 – 06:30 to 08:15 – Race 10
22/05 – 04:15 to 06:30 – Race 11

World Rally Championship – Portugal
20/05 – 19:00 to 20:00 – Stage 2 (BT Sport 2)
22/05 – 09:00 to 10:00 – Stage 3 (BT Sport 1)

Last updated on May 19th at 18:00 to reflect Suzi Perry’s illness.

Update on May 21st at 15:15 – Allan McNish commentated on Formula E practice and qualifying but had to pull out of the race commentary itself at the last minute, according to lead commentator Jack Nicholls.