BBC bosses will face questioning by MP’s over the shared broadcasting deal with Sky for the 2012 season and beyond.
Don Foster MP, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for Culture, Media and Sport has written to the corporations director in general, Mark Thompson, demanding an explanation as to how the deal came about and whether it is in the best interests of the fans.
“I do not believe this result promotes the best interest of license fee payers and motor racing fans,” wrote Foster in a letter seen by Autosport. “I believe the best result would have been for the rights to remain with a free to air broadcaster, even if this was not the BBC.”
Foster is particularly worried about the lack of information regarding how such a deal was put together and whether reports that the BBC contacted Sky in order to stop a rival free-to-air channel, such as Channel 4, acquiring the rights, is true.
“I am concerned about the apparently divergent views of F1 and the BBC about the sequence of events and the desired outcome.
“In fact, Bernie Ecclestone seems to claim that it was the BBC who forced Sky’s involvement. The BBC apparently ‘held all the cards’ as there was still time left on the existing contract. He says that Sky were brought to the table by the BBC in the first place.
“This is in marked contrast to the argument put forward by the BBC and Neil Land who said, ‘Ultimately, it is the responsibility of FOM [Formula One Management] to decide which broadcasters cover the sport. FOM must decide what is in the best interests of the sport, its employees, manufacturers, sponsors and viewers – when choosing its broadcast partners. On this occasion, FOM decided that a broadcast partnership between the BBC and Sky was in the best interests of the sport.’
“This gulf between the two versions has led to disappointment and anger among fans and now they have to sift through completely contradictory accounts of who decided what. The least fans deserve is a clear explanation of what happened. I urge you to give it.”
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