Bt Sport Coverage

[flagrag]

I have now had a chance to review the coverage from tonight and also from the World Cup back in June.

 

To me some of issues people are reporting with the production is down to a lack of cameras.

 

When you watch a few of the World Cup races there is on a Average around 22 cuts to different cameras during a race where as compared to the league racing tonight it is around 12 some of which are to the camera pointing in from the tapes which to me offers no benefit and also the managers shot.

 

Another positive I like from the BT production is the round up of footage from around the tracks and I think Natalie is definitely the right person to front Speedway as has so much knowledge and knows the questions to ask.

[salty]

Less cameras is obviously a negative, hopefully improved next season. However, the other areas of presentation are so much better. Very few pointless interviews between races means the action rattles along and most of the chat and analysis takes place after Heat 15. Big improvement for those at the meeting and watching at home. Natalie and Steve Brandon do a very professional job as presenters/interviewers.

[Gemini]

At least BT manage to find the youngsters in the crowd. All Sky ever showed was wrinklies old age pensioners and dogs

 

 

Just for one moment I thought I was famous but then I realised no chance of it ever being me and Lucy because she's always out of sight stretched out asleep.

[Mark]

BT presentation team are strong, for both league and GP racing. I enjoy the coverage.

[The Observer]

First of all I applaud BT Sport for keeping speedway on our screens. In my opinion, their coverage is better than Sky's in terms of pre & post meeting discussions and Natalie, as we all appear to acknowledge, loves the sport and as a consequence has a good depth of knowledge. Steve Braddon is OK, but I personally didn't see anything wrong in Sophie Blake, (I particularly use to enjoy her interviews with Scott Nichols), but where they do need to improve is when two riders are on the last lap and going for the finish line, the camera needs to pan out quicker. It's zoomed in too close to the riders which is extremely annoying, a producer fault in my opinion, but hey what do I know.

 

Other than that I'm thoroughly enjoying the coverage and you can't beat the banter between Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, they remain so enthusiastic about the sport and it's infectious, bringing energy into our living rooms each time. Others have tried it but their commentating has been dire.

 

Well done BT Sport, iron out the niggling finish line camera issue and you're delivering a great product.

[racers and royals]

First of all I applaud BT Sport for keeping speedway on our screens. In my opinion, their coverage is better than Sky's in terms of pre & post meeting discussions and Natalie, as we all appear to acknowledge, loves the sport and as a consequence has a good depth of knowledge. Steve Braddon is OK, but I personally didn't see anything wrong in Sophie Blake, (I particularly use to enjoy her interviews with Scott Nichols), but where they do need to improve is when two riders are on the last lap and going for the finish line, the camera needs to pan out quicker. It's zoomed in too close to the riders which is extremely annoying, a producer fault in my opinion, but hey what do I know.

 

Other than that I'm thoroughly enjoying the coverage and you can't beat the banter between Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, they remain so enthusiastic about the sport and it's infectious, bringing energy into our living rooms each time. Others have tried it but their commentating has been dire.

 

Well done BT Sport, iron out the niggling finish line camera issue and you're delivering a great product.

Dave Rowe and Dave Goddard`s commentary have never been dire- infact exactly the opposite !!!!!

[BWitcher]

I have now had a chance to review the coverage from tonight and also from the World Cup back in June.

 

To me some of issues people are reporting with the production is down to a lack of cameras.

 

When you watch a few of the World Cup races there is on a Average around 22 cuts to different cameras during a race where as compared to the league racing tonight it is around 12 some of which are to the camera pointing in from the tapes which to me offers no benefit and also the managers shot.

 

Another positive I like from the BT production is the round up of footage from around the tracks and I think Natalie is definitely the right person to front Speedway as has so much knowledge and knows the questions to ask.

 

 

I don't buy this lack of 'cameras'.

 

I have tonnes of videos of meetings in the past filmed with just ONE camera and they don't miss the exciting parts of the race. Indeed, they are far better, viewed from side on with a bit of height. To me, you miss more of the action the more cameras you have as you constantly flip from close ups to head ons etc. All the other camera angles are most beneficial during replays to give a different perspective.

[pointsmeanplayoffs]

Firstly, thanks to BT Sport for covering Speedway in the UK - without them..... well it doesn't bear thinking about.

 

It is noticeable how much less equipment BT bring for an outside broadcast compared to the millions of lorries and trucks Sky used to bring along. Maybe this is a cost cutting measure, maybe they are a little more efficient?

 

What I do know is last night was one of the best run meetings at Lynn for a while. In the past, meetings which were on Sky seemed to take FOREVER. Last night was done and dusted by 9.15. Well done to all concerned.

[Gunner85]

I am pleased to see BT coverage.

 

I do wish that they would follow the race more rather than follow the leader.

 

Frequently battles at the back are missed because they are following the leader.....In the old days BBC who rarely covered Speedway were guilty of the same camerawork.

[DC2]

Less cameras is obviously a negative, hopefully improved next season. However, the other areas of presentation are so much better. Very few pointless interviews between races means the action rattles along and most of the chat and analysis takes place after Heat 15. Big improvement for those at the meeting and watching at home. Natalie and Steve Brandon do a very professional job as presenters/interviewers.

Totally agree. Natalie and Steve are streets ahead of Keith Hewen (?) and the Sky female presenters and the overall presentation and graphics are excellent. Point taken though about some poor camera work.

[ray c]

Quite agree the camera coverage let's tbem down but other than everything else is ok Natalie is brilliant front person

[PHILIPRISING]

BRANDO also doubles as TV floor manager ... another cost saving. This production is being done on a shoe-string compared to Sky and that is the only way it will continue.

[brandonmole]

Dave Rowe and Dave Goddard`s commentary have never been dire- infact exactly the opposite !!!!!

In your opinion ...

[TheReturn]

Another positive I like from the BT production is the round up of footage from around the tracks and I think Natalie is definitely the right person to front Speedway as has so much knowledge and knows the questions to ask.

I agree. If Sky do come back, both of these need to be retained. Natalie is fantastic (best speedway presenter we have had in a long time), like you say knowledgeable and asks the right questions at the right time, and also personable.

 

The round up of footage is a great addition. In theory this could be added to for more coverage during track grading by including round up and best of the action from Championship (if rights allowed). Also maybe a general news round up, for example the Kings Lynn stuff could be touched upon, injured rider updates etc.

[SteveLyric2]

This 'lack of cameras' coverage is the first time I've noticed anything wrong with BT's coverage.

 

If it was a BT cost-cutting exercise at Kings Lynn last night, its hardly surprising that they didn't take truckloads of kit with the likelihood that the meeting might be called off at the drop of a hat?! ;-) ;-)

[ray c]

When bt were at poole in june there was nothing like the equipment that sky had so they have cut back

[Star Lady]

Agree that there are a few aspects where Sky coverage, especially pictures, were better but one thing BT have got right is cutting out the Sky Studio with Pearson & Tatum. It always looked forced and Tatum did wonderful impersonations of a nodding dog, probably had someone in his ear saying be more animated. The banter from them now they don't have to worry about how they look seems better to me. Much more natural and more akin to a couple of fans on the terraces.

[Grachan]

I agree with others that the only real flaw is the way they cut to a close up of the finish line to watch the leader go past regardless of whether or not there is a good race going on behind.

[flagrag]

As is already documented on here there has been been a cut down on the amount of cameras being used this year due to costs and budgets.

 

I am surprised people have noticed that BT are turning up with less equipment than Sky as they still have the OB unit,Support tender,Generator and Satellite Uplink unit. The only extra trucks Sky used to bring was a catering unit as there was more staff involved now they have to make their own tea & coffee.

 

As I stated before BT have made some good improvements and managed to keep the costs down well.

 

Previously the Sky production team were reluctant to use footage from the track DVD companies as felt that it would look out of place in the tv production but BT have proved well with by using some effective graphics and effects it can look ok.

 

To make sure Speedway remains on tv in 2018 I mentioned before it is very important that viewers interact with BT on Facebook & Twitter so keep sharing and commenting on the Speedway content they upload as they measure a lot of audience reaction from this as well as the viewing figures.

 

Another little cheat is if you are watching at home on the TV and also have an IPad or phone have it playing on the BT sport app there as well as they look closely at online viewing as well

[A ORLOV]

As is already documented on here there has been been a cut down on the amount of cameras being used this year due to costs and budgets.

 

I am surprised people have noticed that BT are turning up with less equipment than Sky as they still have the OB unit,Support tender,Generator and Satellite Uplink unit. The only extra trucks Sky used to bring was a catering unit as there was more staff involved now they have to make their own tea & coffee.

 

As I stated before BT have made some good improvements and managed to keep the costs down well.

 

Previously the Sky production team were reluctant to use footage from the track DVD companies as felt that it would look out of place in the tv production but BT have proved well with by using some effective graphics and effects it can look ok.

 

To make sure Speedway remains on tv in 2018 I mentioned before it is very important that viewers interact with BT on Facebook & Twitter so keep sharing and commenting on the Speedway content they upload as they measure a lot of audience reaction from this as well as the viewing figures.

 

Another little cheat is if you are watching at home on the TV and also have an IPad or phone have it playing on the BT sport app there as well as they look closely at online viewing as well

One big question is where the clubs receive a payment, which I understand this year is from the Sky contract, are they going to receive any money at all in 2018 from BT or whoever might be showing speedway.