US F1 broadcaster NBC announces F1 coverage schedule for 2013

BobHWS · 6 Mar 2013, 23:58 (Ref:3215319)

Finally, here's a press release from NBC about their coverage of F1 for the 2013 season. It looks to be about the same as what Speed and Fox have been providing in recent years. Most races, practices and qualifying sessions will be on the NBC Sports Network (NBC's cable sports channel). A few races including Monaco, Canada and the US, will be live on the regular NBC network. Gentlemen (and ladies), set your DVRs.

NBC Sports Group will air 19 Formula One races and 38 qualifying and practice sessions

NBC Sports
updated 2:54 p.m. ET March 6, 2013

In its initial season of Formula One broadcasting, NBC Sports Group will air 19 Formula One races and 38 qualifying and practice sessions across NBC and NBC Sports Network. Four races will air on NBC, one will be on CNBC and the remaining 14 will be on NBC Sports Network.

In addition to the races, NBC Sports Network will air one of the Friday practices for each race and each qualifying session. That TV coverage will amount to more than 100 hours of programming, including the studio shows and re-airs.

The NBC Sports Group broadcast team features talent familiar to Formula One fans. Leigh Diffey (play-by-play), David Hobbs (analyst), Steve Matchett (analyst) and Will Buxton (pit reporter) will form the new broadcast team for the NBC Sports Group’s Formula One coverage.

NBC Sports' 2013 FORMULA ONE schedule (all times ET; subject to change)

RACES

Saturday, March 17
Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne, 1:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 1 p.m.)

Sunday, March 24
Malaysia Grand Prix at Kuala Lumpur, 3:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 3 p.m.)

Sunday, April 14
Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai, 2:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 1 p.m.)

Sunday, April 21
Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir, 7:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at noon)

Sunday, May 12
Grand Prix of Spain at Catalunya, 7:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 2 p.m.)

Sunday, May 26
Grand Prix Of Monaco, 7:30 a.m. on NBC (re-airs at 10:30 a.m. on NBCSN)

Sunday, June 9
Grand Prix Of Canada at Montreal, 2 p.m. on NBC (re-airs at 7 p.m. on NBCSN)

Sunday, June 30
British Grand Prix at Silverstone, 7:30 a.m., CNBC (re-airs at 1 p.m. on NBCSN)

Sunday, July 7
Grand Prix of Germany at Nuerburgring, 7:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 2 p.m.)

Sunday, July 28
Hungarian Grand Prix at Hungaroring, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 1 p.m.)

Sunday, Aug. 25
Belgian Grand Prix at Francorchamps, 7:30 p.m. NBCSN (re-airs at midnight)

Sunday, Sept. 8
Italian Grand Prix at Nazionale Di Monza, 7:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 1 p.m.)

Sunday, Sept. 22
Singapore Grand Prix, 7:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 1:30 p.m.)

Sunday, Oct. 6
Korean Grand Prix at Yeongam, 1:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 4 p.m.)

Sunday, Oct. 13
Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuki, 1:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 1 p.m.)

Sunday, Oct. 27
Grand Prix of India at New Delhi, 5 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 1 p.m)

Sunday, Nov. 3
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina, 7:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 6 p.m.)

Sunday, Nov. 17
United States Grand Prix at Austin, 1 p.m. on NBC (re-airs at 6 p.m. on NBCSN)

Sunday, Nov. 24
Grand Prix Of Brazil at Sao Paulo, 11 a.m., on NBC (re-airs at 4:30 p.m. on NBCSN)

PRACTICES AND QUALIFYING

Friday, March 15
Australia practice No. 1, midnight, (air time TBD)
Australia practice No. 2, 1:30 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs 10:30 p.m.)

Saturday, March 16
Australia qualifying, 2 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 1:30 p.m.)

Friday, March 22
Malaysia practice No. 2, 2 a.m. NBCSN (re-airs at 11:30 p.m.)

Saturday, March 23
Malaysia qualifying, 4 a.m. NBCSN (re-airs at 1 p.m.)

Friday, April 12
China practice No. 2, 2 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 12:30 a.m.)

Saturday, April 23
China qualifying, 2 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 2 p.m.)

Friday, April 19
Bahrain practice No. 2, 7 a.m., NBCSN (re-air TBD)

Saturday, April 20
Bahrain qualifying, 7 a.m., NBCSN (re-air TBD)

Friday, May 10
Spain practice No. 2, 8 a.m., NBCSN (re-air TBD)

Saturday, May 11
Spain qualifying, 8 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs 2:30 p.m.)

Thursday, May 23
Monaco practice No. 2, 8 a.m., NBCSN (re-air TBD)

Saturday, May 25
Monaco qualifying, 8 a.m., NBCSN (re-air TBD)

Friday, June 7
Canada practice No. 2, 2 p.m., NBCSN (re-air TBD)

Saturday, June 8
Canada qualifying, 1 p.m., NBCSN (re-airs 1 a.m.)

Friday, June 28
British practice No. 2, 9 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at midnight)

Saturday, June 29
British qualifying, 2 p.m., TBD

Friday, July 5
Germany practice No. 2, 4:30 p.m. (delayed broadcast on NBCSN)

Saturday, July 6
Germany qualifying, 8 a.m., NBCSN

Friday, July 26
Hungary practice No. 2, 8 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 1 a.m.)

Saturday, July 27
Hungary qualifying, 8 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 2:30 p.m.)

Friday, Aug. 23
Belgium practice No. 2, 8 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at midnight)

Saturday, Aug. 24
Belgium qualifying, 12:30 p.m., delayed air on NBCSN (re-airs at midnight)

Friday, Sept. 6
Italy practice No. 2, 8 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 12:30 a.m.)

Saturday, Sept. 7
Italy qualifying, 8 a.m. , NBCSN (re-airs at 12:30 a.m.)

Friday, Sept. 20
Singapore practice No. 2, 9:30 a.m., delayed air on NBCSN (re-airs at 1 a.m.)

Saturday, Sept. 21
Singapore qualifying, 1 a.m., NBCSN (re-air TBD)

Friday, Oct. 4
Korea practice No. 2, 1 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 11:30 p.m.)

Saturday, Oct. 5
Korea qualifying, 1 a.m., NBCSN (re-air TBD)

Friday, Oct. 11
Japan practice No. 2, 1 a.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 11:30 p.m.)

Saturday, Oct. 12
Japan qualifying, 1 a.m., NBCSN (re-air TBD)

Friday, Nov. 1
Abu Dhabi practice No. 2, 9 a.m., delayed air on NBCSN (re-airs at midnight)

Saturday, Nov. 2
Abu Dhabi qualifying, 12:30 p.m., NBCSN (re-airs at midnight)

Friday, Nov. 15
Austin practice No. 2, 2 p.m., delayed air on NBCSN (re-airs at midnight)

Saturday, Nov. 16
Austin qualifying, 6:30 p.m., NBCSN (re-airs at 11 p.m.)

Friday, Nov. 22
Brazil practice No. 2, 11 a.m., delayed air on NBCSN (re-airs at midnight)

Saturday, Nov. 23
Brazil qualifying, 12:30 p.m., NBCSN (re-airs at midnight)

JeremySmith · 7 Mar 2013, 01:47 (Ref:3215341)

Thank you...

S14 · 7 Mar 2013, 04:05 (Ref:3215370)

There's no way that we could get this stickied for those of us in the U.S., could we?

**ScotsBrutesFan** · 7 Mar 2013, 14:29 (Ref:3215567)

I've pinned for now, to raise awareness.

Spritle · 7 Mar 2013, 14:33 (Ref:3215569)

I'm not out to kill the messenger, THANKS BTW; but something looks wrong and I know it isn't Bob's error...

First, according to the schedule NBC is carrying Monaco, which means they are going to bump the Today Show & Meet the Press for F1? I doubt it.

Also what's up with Hungary & Belgium; a 19:30 start time and in the case of Hungary a re-airing at 13:00?? How's that work? Should I skip the initial broadcast at 19:00 and watch the re-broadcast 6 hours earlier?

I hope it's a typo in the case of Hungary & Belgium because NOTHING should pre-empt Spa!

chillibowl · 7 Mar 2013, 15:40 (Ref:3215596)

i took the re air time to mean on the following day however watching NBC in general is like getting into a a time machine that only takes you back to the 90's so who knows how their sense of timing works!

as for my fellow Canadians, does anyone know if their cable provider is carrying or planning to carry the NBC Sports Network? its not currently on Shaw. its not a problem since TSN would black out Speed's live race coverage but i did enjoy being able to watch the practice sessions and their replays. looks like we are going to lose that option now.

its 2013 and we still have to worry about how to find something on TV. F1 is so backwards sometimes it hurts.

BobHWS · 7 Mar 2013, 15:47 (Ref:3215600)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spritle

First, according to the schedule NBC is carrying Monaco, which means they are going to bump the Today Show & Meet the Press for F1? I doubt it.

I think it's reasonable to expect that they will shift those shows over to CNBC or MSNBC. Sunday morning shows have small audiences so I think that those audiences will be asked to switch channels for one day. On the other hand, F1 has small audiences too, so maybe the race will be shown on NBCSN. Either way, we will see it live, so it doesn't matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spritle

Also what's up with Hungary & Belgium; a 19:30 start time and in the case of Hungary a re-airing at 13:00?? How's that work? ...I hope it's a typo in the case of Hungary & Belgium because NOTHING should pre-empt Spa!

Must be a couple typos. I'm guessing they meant 7:30AM, like the other European races. NBC has not exactly done a great job so far in publicizing their coverage.

They will try to get better starting tonight, Thursday March 7th, when there is an NBCSN preview of the F1 season. As stated below, the preview show will re-air everyday at 3:30PM ET until March 13.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 7th, 2013
“F1 COUNTDOWN” AIRS TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. ET ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK

F1 Countdown, NBC Sports Network’s Formula One season-preview show, airs tonight at 9 p.m. ET. Studio host Leigh Diffey, and analysts David Hobbs and Steve Matchett will preview the entire 2013 F1 season just one week prior to the Australian Grand Prix on March 17. Will Buxton reports from Barcelona, Spain.

Preview link to tonight’s show: NBCSN: F1 Countdown

Lewis Hamilton’s move from McLaren to Mercedes was one of the moves of the Formula 1 offseason. And the risk he takes in leaving the team that has supported his entire career in switching to one that has won just one race since Mercedes took over prior to 2010 cannot be understated.

This is a segment from “F1 Countdown,” a preview show to the 2013 Formula 1 season that airs tonight, March 7, at 9 p.m. ET on the NBC Sports Network. (If you miss the 30-minute show, it re-airs every day until March 13 at 3:30 p.m. ET.)

NBC’s booth commentary team of Leigh Diffey, David Hobbs and Steve Matchett anchor the show. Pit reporter Will Buxton also reports from testing in Barcelona.

It’s the first show NBC will bring to you in the 2013 season, which starts with the Australian Grand Prix on March 17.

Spritle · 7 Mar 2013, 16:07 (Ref:3215606)

I also noticed Austin Quali is scheduled for 18:30?

BobHWS · 7 Mar 2013, 17:58 (Ref:3215643)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spritle

I also noticed Austin Quali is scheduled for 18:30?

That might be one day when qualifying does not air live on NBCSN. If that's true, then it's probably because college football is scheduled to be aired that afternoon. Maybe they can show live qualifying on CNBC. It would be more worthwhile than most of the useless weekend programming on that channel.

supermario21 · 7 Mar 2013, 22:39 (Ref:3215772)

Couple observations: I think they forgot to change some of the times from GMT. Also, NBC did show one of the mountain stages on the weekend live of last year's TDF. I'm glad that NBC thinks the Monaco Grand Prix is a big enough deal to show live on NBC, something SPEED/FOX never could appreciate.

Spritle · 8 Mar 2013, 00:25 (Ref:3215810)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobHWS

That might be one day when qualifying does not air live on NBCSN. If that's true, then it's probably because college football is scheduled to be aired that afternoon. Maybe they can show live qualifying on CNBC. It would be more worthwhile than most of the useless weekend programming on that channel.

Not airing quali live in the US during the USGP weekend is just plain stupid. There will be tons of folks sitting in pubs in Austin who would definitely want to see it live among others across the country.

I hope 18:30 is also a typo!

willb · 8 Mar 2013, 03:56 (Ref:3215834)

It looks like the broadcast team will be about the same as when F1 was on Speed without Bob Varsha. Their listing does not say that the Austin GP qualifying time is delayed so it is most likely GMT.

Spritle · 8 Mar 2013, 13:37 (Ref:3216017)

Quote:

Originally Posted by willb

It looks like the broadcast team will be about the same as when F1 was on Speed without Bob Varsha. Their listing does not say that the Austin GP qualifying time is delayed so it is most likely GMT.

It's funny that a US based broadcast to a US market they are hoping to capture didn't feel it necessary to have at least ONE Yank in the mix. So much for the "an American in F1" theory.

Richard C · 8 Mar 2013, 13:53 (Ref:3216021)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spritle

It's funny that a US based broadcast to a US market they are hoping to capture didn't feel it necessary to have at least ONE Yank in the mix. So much for the "an American in F1" theory.

I know you are joking, but I think they would have taken Bob if they could, but I believe contractually they couldn't (maybe next year?). And while I can't speak for all Americans, I suspect most (I did) really liked the SpeedTV broadcast team. I would rather see a US driver (or team!!) in F1 than worry about nationality of the broadcasters.

Richard

Spritle · 8 Mar 2013, 18:12 (Ref:3216071)

I heard that apparently NBCSN didn't want Bob for some reason and also didn't want Will Buxton but Hobbs lobbied for him and they changed their minds. Apparently Hobbs wasn't too happy about Varsha not coming along too.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/179600691.html

Leigh is OK but his voice gets a bit annoying after a while. Hopefully Bob will join the crew after Leigh goes back to making Outback Steakhouse commercials...

...ONLY KIDDING...ONLY KIDDING!!

codesurge · 8 Mar 2013, 18:49 (Ref:3216083)

Has there been any news as to whether the live broadcasts will be interrupted by advertising breaks or whether they'll consider doing side-by-side/inset ads so that we can still keep up with the on-track action?

Richard C · 8 Mar 2013, 19:13 (Ref:3216088)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spritle

I heard that apparently NBCSN didn't want Bob for some reason and also didn't want Will Buxton but Hobbs lobbied for him and they changed their minds. Apparently Hobbs wasn't too happy about Varsha not coming along too.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/179600691.html

Leigh is OK but his voice gets a bit annoying after a while. Hopefully Bob will join the crew after Leigh goes back to making Outback Steakhouse commercials...

...ONLY KIDDING...ONLY KIDDING!!

I hadn't heard about NBC not wanting Bob, but don't follow the topic that closely. That article mentions the same thing I have heard and that is that Bob is under contract with Fox. The implication being he wasn't available.

I am excited about the extra coverage.

Richard

IndyDonut · 8 Mar 2013, 21:14 (Ref:3216127)

I can't wait for 2014, to be honest. New engines, new cars, and the Varsha/Hobbs/Matchett crew back together. Varsha and Hobbs have been working together since 1989. They're the voices of F1 here in the states.

Let's all hope NBC does a better job covering F1 than FOX. The races on FOX were a joke. Four minutes of ads for every five minutes of racing.

FordCosworthPanoz · 9 Mar 2013, 01:01 (Ref:3216189)

That preview show looked highly professional, good production quality and great to see NBC Sports will be covering FP1 in addition to the usual FP2.

JeremySmith · 9 Mar 2013, 01:52 (Ref:3216199)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spritle

I heard that apparently NBCSN didn't want Bob for some reason and also didn't want Will Buxton but Hobbs lobbied for him and they changed their minds. Apparently Hobbs wasn't too happy about Varsha not coming along too.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/179600691.html

Leigh is OK but his voice gets a bit annoying after a while. Hopefully Bob will join the crew after Leigh goes back to making Outback Steakhouse commercials...

...ONLY KIDDING...ONLY KIDDING!!

Who did you hear that from ? because without a doubt Bob Varsha is the voice of F1 in the USA..Do not mess with what works.. The Speed team are really very good..

BobHWS · 9 Mar 2013, 03:13 (Ref:3216211)

According to David Hobbs, as quoted in the article below: "Bob Varsha can’t come with us; he’s got a contract at Fox."

Varsha probably could have gotten out of his contract with Speed/Fox, but I suspect that he is making more money there than he would have at NBC. Varsha has always done more than just F1 at Speed. Unless NBC had plans for him to do more than just F1, it makes sense that he would make more money at Speed. But anything could happen after Speed morphs into Fox Sports 1 this summer. Maybe Varsha will switch to NBCSN next year. Either way, I'm sure he will do well.

David Hobbs dishes on Formula One, Speed and the move to NBC
By Dave Kallmann of the Journal Sentinel
Nov. 15, 2012

As there is no such thing as a brief conversation with David Hobbs, I found myself with way more than I could use from our chat Thursday afternoon regarding Formula One, the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, and the move of coverage from Fox and Speed to the NBC family next year...

On NBC: (The network secured the rights last month and on Thursday announced Hobbs would join Leigh Diffey and Steve Matchett on broadcasts)

I think the change to NBC will be another hopefully brick in the wall of trying to cement Formula One in this country. From what they’ve said to me they’ve really gone all out. They’re going to make a bigger show of it than Fox did the last few years....

On not working with Varsha:

...I’ll miss Bob. I don’t know how many races we’ve done but it’d have to be hundreds, I’m sure. I’ll miss him, but of course you know things change, the world goes on . . . all the old clichés.

When I heard the news I thought for sure NBC would have their own coterie of commentators. You know, young, spiky-haired kids. But no, they got hold of me straightaway. I was to say the least extremely pleased.

NaBUru38 · 9 Mar 2013, 04:55 (Ref:3216230)

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyDonut

Let's all hope NBC does a better job covering F1 than FOX. The races on FOX were a joke. Four minutes of ads for every five minutes of racing.

IndyCar broadcasting isn't much better. My reference is Fox Sports Latin America broadcasts of F1, with 12/15-minute stretches

JeremySmith · 9 Mar 2013, 18:32 (Ref:3216444)

I have just watched the show and I thought it was very good..

I think NBC will do a good job and the larger than life presentation is what F1 needs in the US..

IceMan_PJN · 11 Mar 2013, 14:03 (Ref:3217039)

So far I've only seen Countdown to F1 on NBC, but I liked it, and I had noticed that they seem to be airing Practice 1, Practice 2, qualifying, and the race, which is everything but Practice 3 and this is a bit more than what Speed aired, so I'm happy so far. Hopefully it will help being on a network that doesn't treat it as NASCAR's red-headed stepsister. "NASCAR, NASCAR, NASCAR, NASCAR. Oh, and that foreign, open-wheel crap." When I went to watch Countdown to F1, however, it was pushed back for hooperball, which irked me. I know hooperball is more popular locally, but I fear this means F1 will continue to get disrespected here.

supermario21 · 11 Mar 2013, 15:51 (Ref:3217065)

Everything that isn't aired will be streamed. Here's an article detailing their coverage plans, and how they're getting big name sponsors involved and will be doing some different things with coverage. They will air the Monaco GP live on NBC and the whole crew will be on site at Monaco, Montreal, and Austin.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/J...ia/NBC-F1.aspx

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