The capacity is limited by the local councils' health and safety officers, which is why it never looks full, even when it is sold out.

Latest rumour from Joe Saward about Apple interested in buying the sport:

https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2016...iddle-england/

Could have dramatic effects on the broadcasting deals going forward if it turned out to be true.

Someone has been pulling his leg...

Can't see that happening. If anything, Apple has more of a green image, so buying Formula E is a far better fit for them IMO.

A more likely outcome is Apple purchasing TATA Communications.

Interesting. I would have thought Microsoft or Google would be more likely to purchase Tata. Although Apple may feel left out that they don't have that kind of presence themselves (I know Apple use either Microsoft's or Amazon's servers to power their own web stuff like iCloud), and so they could buy Tata Comms in that respect.

When I was a Mac user, Apple Computer used Akami's content delivery network (CDN). Apple could do what Microsoft normally does with acquisitions, buy the whole firm, and sell off the parts of the company that it doesn't want.

If CVC are selling off their stake in F1, a prospective blue chip 'buyer' like 'Apple' is always helpful in keeping the price high.

It'll be interesting to see who owns what in terms of FOM's relationship with Tata.

I'd expect that to be confidential.

Tata Com. is doing the normal thing of using the 'halo effect' of their F1 contract as B2B marketing for products like 'Video Connect', and to showcase the capabilities of its huge fibre optic network.

JA on F1: 'TATA’S F1 CONNECTIVITY WINS MAJOR INDUSTRY AWARD'

Tata Communications: 'VIDEO CONNECT'

All of the major content distributors use Akamai nowadays - Facebook, Google, BBC, Amazon...

One of the reasons everything seems so quick these days, is down to caching in the right place.

I'm pretty sure FOM use Amazon's servers for their web stuff nowadays- at least for the live timing stuff anyway.

I can't understand why Apple would have a interest in buying the CVC stake. Have Apple bought any sport series/commercial rights holder stakes in the US, or anywhere else?

From my own experience Apple are primarily focused on their home US market when it comes to devices, content and other services. If F1 had a bigger presence in the States, the rumour would be more credible.

Apple are rumoured to be building a fully autonomous driving, all electric MPV (US - 'minivan'). So nothing 'sporty' or high performance yet.

Apple products have a cultish following, the press attention that their rumoured new products receive is in effect free advertising.

Was it a sell out? There were still tickets left with a couple of days to go.

I was at Silverstone the last couple of days for the test (Tuesday afternoon was a bit of a wash out). I heard over the PA an interview with the MD of Silverstone who said amongst other things they were talking to the FIA about moving the stands closer to the track. Which would be good.

Sky's Ultra HD service is launching on SkyQ in August.

It will consist of a single "Sky Ultra HD" channel over satellite, showing a mixture of Sport (Live where applicable), Flims, Drama and Documentaries, as well as an on-demand selection of 4k content over the net.

Apparently they showed the Euro 2016 final in 4k to beta testers on the channel last week (Doesn't say whether live or not), which is interesting considering the BBC & ITV only had the live rights - although those may not cover the 4K feed of course:

http://www.a516digital.com/2016/07/s...in-august.html

I notice in their brief they say they'll be showing "Every race from Formula 1® 2017" - which may mean that if they're still going to be on a single 4K channel in 2017 - then it might only be the Races shown live in 4k on Sky, not Practice & Quali.

Ted said something about it the other day IIRC.

I suppose if there's a clash with another sport they don't have to show the 4K version live, but could show it later and still satisfy "every race" promise.

This does make me think about getting Sky again. Hmmm.

They've certainly planning to show far more of a variety of content (Sports, Movies, TV Shows) than BT are at the moment (Just sports) - so i'm amazed that Sky are only launching a Single 4K channel. I'm surprised they haven't launched three: (Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Ultra HD and Sky Cinema Ultra HD) As that would give them far more room if there's clashes. Although saying that, the only live clashes are still going to be only for Sports I presume.

Apparently BT are going to be announcing more 4k plans soon.

Hmm, this article seems to imply something different regarding Sky's Ultra HD content:

http://www.t3.com/news/sky-q-ultra-hd-here


I guess the Ultra HD 'Channel' will be a hidden one then, with the Red Button taking you to it whenever you the regular program. Which implies they could set up a channel per event - if there's multiple ones going.

Also, the Article seems to imply that unlike BT's 4k box - it won't let you downscale the 4k content to 1080p like you can with BT's box:


Although having said that, on my BT box I have it explicitly set to output at 4k resolution - however as i've only got a 1080p display connected, the box just overrides that and downscales to 1080p anyway - so you never know...

That 2nd quote could be marketing fluff as BT also imply you can only watch their 4k channel if you have a 4k TV, but actually it will downscale to 1080p50 - they just keep that quiet ha.

All of sky f1 races in 2017 will be shown in Ulta HD..
The Sky Q Ultra HD service launches for all Sky Q silver customers on August 13th.


https://corporate.sky.com/media-cent...icture-quality

Lee Mcknenzie is going to be part of the C4 Paralympics team in Rio, in terms of her role in C4's coverage she is certain to miss the German, Italian GP, plus possibly the Belgain and Singapore GP.

Wonder if the race buildup/post race analysis will be in UHD.. Wouldn't be surprised if the UHD prompt doesn't appear until the FOM sting.

Given that Sky are investing in this, i'd imagine they'd produce their side of the coverage in 4k too - so that they can show the whole thing in 4k. Of course, they could always upscale their parts...

It was already announced that Holly would be back for Germany.

Shame we have to put with Holly, she's nowhere near as good as Lee at the job.

He mentioned looking at moving Becketts closer so you won't need binoculars.
Old news but spoke to a few that hadn't realised you couldn't see directly into the pit garages as they near Abbey, maybe they could look at lowering the International Pit Straight too.
I think a figure of 135,000 was mentioned for the Sunday, if it was sold out there were a good few that didn't bother coming. Apart from the sea of fans at Vale general admission waiting to walk to Club Corner when the track opened for the podium I have rarely seen it look so sparse in places. Its also noticeable how many corners have so many fans in GA huddled under brollies beneath almost empty stands. They need to tweak the pricing lower and stop trying to modify people into buying early bird tickets by ramping up prices from 6 months before the race. Seems a lot miss out on early bird so resent paying higher price and stay away altogether.

I'm sure the Radio Silverstone guys mentioned talking to "somebody" from SKY on the PA - don't know if this means something from testing will turn up on F1 Show or somewhere - nothing mentioned by SKY (?).

Don't mind Samos standing in for Lee to be honest.

The FIA have made the radio rules tougher.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2016/07/2...-hungarian-gp/