Talkback: Interview: Steve Parrish

echoplex

02/03/2012 at 10:11

I think the reason people bitch and moan about it is they blame the BBC for Eurosport losing the right to show the MotoGP race live. I think that was Dorna's idea though. Anybody know when that contract runs out?

Of course, the other reason to bitch and moan is Charlie Cox. How do you put up with him Steve?

George's Shed

02/03/2012 at 20:21

I believe the BBC it much better positioned to get people interested in biking, just a shame there wasn't a bit more coverage. If Top Gear ran a bike test from time to time our numbers would increase, maybe they should bin Clarkson.....:-)

Paul Charlesworth

03/03/2012 at 21:47

I like the BBC coverage of the MotoGP.

I don't believe that you should have to pay the premium price of Subscription TV to be able to watch the sport that you enjoy.

It is getting ridiculous with all sports coverage being taken over by Subscription TV, and eventually the sports fan that cannot afford or doesn't want to pay a premium will not be able to follow their chosen sport. It's happened with football and rugby and now Formula One is going that way. I think it is a great shame, and something needs to be done before it is too late.

Jim Bowen

06/03/2012 at 13:26

Some interesting and valid points there. And some not so much. Fans go to Yoyosport and the bbc is catering for people who don't know much about motorcycling? And this amazes Steve? Well prepare to be amazed! I know a fair few people and those with no interest in bike racing don't watch MotoGP on any channel. Those who are new to the sport but have an interest, I would imagine, are keen to learn about who's who and what's what. Regardless of all this though is that Auntie Beeb's biggest problem regarding MotoGP is how that they are willing to drop it mid race or drop the 125 and/or Moto2 classes to televise something the see as more worthy, like 24hr coverage of Bill Oddie staring at Kate Humble's badger. To hell with the GP viewers, fan or otherwise! I will make my prediction now, with the olympics and no doubt some other sporting events, this years GP coverage will be a shambles! Prove me wrong BBC.

Darrell Gibbons

06/03/2012 at 13:38

Eurosport online is £3.99 p/m - half the price of a packet of fags. How can you not afford that ?

Ben's Pies

07/03/2012 at 09:21

I don't mind the BBC's coverage. However, I much prefer Eurosport's, and watch the qualifying, 125's and Moto2 there. The only thing I object to is being forced to watch the BBC coverage in order to watch the MotoGP race live. Dorna / BBC should allow Eurosport to broadcast it too, and give us the choice.

Pagik

07/03/2012 at 09:58

"I guess that's just the way it goes. You can please all of the people some of the time or some of the people all the time and there are some bloody idiots on these forums, and all they're doing is ruining it for other people. It's quite sad at times, how personal people can take it and if they don't like it then go somewhere else."

Well said Mr. Parrish...sits down in front of Eurosport.

George's Shed

07/03/2012 at 17:47

"Eurosport online is £3.99 p/m" is a good deal but I need them to stream it to my Android phone! they must be missing a trick here as there are 300 million android devices out there.

Pagik

08/03/2012 at 08:59

Fairly certain there's an app in the Andriod market place that'll cater for your needs...

jeffbiker1000

08/03/2012 at 17:41

The problem with the BBC is that if it doesn't have a ball in it...it gets second best coverage if at all. Parish is right that we need more Brits in it at the top to make them realize that football golf and tennis are not the only sports of note.

SpikeIsland

11/03/2012 at 09:50

Granted I have a basic Sky subscription at £19/month, but it's only an extra £1/month to add Eurosport.
On the other hand I rather have Steve commentating (who's done the biz), than that walking encyclopedia on EuroSport.

Rusty Walsh

13/03/2012 at 11:42

Me and my partner watch the MotoGP on the BBC (and Iplayer for the two smaller classes).

It's not a matter of money, it's simply the fact that the BBC commentators are more entertaining. Plus, if the commentators didn't "dumb it down" then my missus wouldn't be sat next to me enjoying the racing, she doesn't want to learn about the Desmodromic system.

What she wants to see is great commentators giving us information regarding the race and where our home boys are on the track.
Everyone can get behind their home grown heroes, and this year we'll be glued to the BBC supporting ALL the brits.

Sander Koop

13/03/2012 at 15:07

Eurosport commentary bores me shitless, and the commentators sound like they're 80 years old each...
They sound like 2 old codgers chinwagging over a pint...
I personally like the BBC coverage, although I do want Suzi back...

Why is there at least ONE cage driver every day that seems out to kill me?

Phil Bassett

18/03/2012 at 11:22

As usual, I pretty much agree with all Steve says, predictions re Vale included sadly, as I am a huge fan. His explanation of the difference between Eurosport and BBC in their approach makes total sense. I' d watch Eurosport every time for it's tech analysis, but my less bike mad mates get more out of watching BBC and wouldn't bother watching if Eurosport was the only choice. Re Scott Reading though, can he really overcome his size to challenge for a championship? Going quick in testing is one thing (he dominated last per season too remember) but when he is racing in a pack and can't take the perfect line or gets baulked in a corner, his weight and baulk is going to always put him at a few tenths disadvantage when it comes to acceleration and top speed.

Freddie Tangolo

20/03/2012 at 14:25

The most annoying thing with the BCC coverage is that it seems to be lowest priority and gets bumped off the schedule for any old dross...

If they are going to cover it do it properly with Moto3 and Moto2 coverage. Think it should be on free to air channels but come on do it service, you used our money to buy the right to show it so do it properly.

Vinnychoff

31/03/2012 at 10:03

I like watching the bbc for moto gp. if here is too much tv coverage i switch off so maybe a bit more would be nice but then how many bikers add their comments to the bbc. i think we are not heard enough.
voice your comments to the bbc.
regards
vinnychoff
ducati916bp/wordpress

Ken Williams 2

07/04/2012 at 07:20

I'm a lifelong biker, really interested in the technical stuff and I really enjoy the BBC coverage. Charlie Cox does come out with some right old bollox every now and then but I think he's only there to give Steve someone to play his jokes on anyway. If we have to have some ditzy commentary could we have Jennie Gow back instead of Charlie? At least she was pretty!

But in all seriousness, between the iPlayer/Red Button coverage of Moto2 (and now Moto 3) and the main coverage I think the BBC do a good job. And no cutting to ****ing annoying ads! If you think our coverage is bad you should see the sh1te the US audience has to put up with on Speed TV!

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