TSN to use BBC feed exclusively in 1995

The last week or two I have had a couple of discussions with TSN regarding their F1 coverage in Canada. Specifically, and this is a personal matter I appreciate, I absolutely loathe the Varsha and Daly ESPN show. I believe that several people, Tom ...

The last week or two I have had a couple of discussions with TSN regarding their F1 coverage in Canada. Specifically, and this is a personal matter I appreciate, I absolutely loathe the Varsha and Daly ESPN show. I believe that several people, Tom Haapanen included, would also like a change to having a BBC feed.

The rights to the F1 races are held by Molson and it is from them that TSN purchase their coverage. I spoke to a representative of TSN about 10 days ago and asked if there was any possibility of having the BBC exclusively. The matter was then referred to a programming director and we have played a bit of telephone tag since then.

Anyhow, this morning I had a chat with this individual and was advised that they have a few details to iron out but they "have plans next year" to use the BBC feed exclusively. They have carefully monitored viewer response and a majority of the viewers they have spoken with prefer the BBC. They are "fairly certain" that this move will come about although they do appreciate that this will cost more. As regards ratings, they have been fairly stable over the last couple of years with a solid contingent of viewers.

I inquired whether people sending letters or phoning in in support of the move would be a useful extra "push" for them. The individual advised that this would not be necessary as the decision had been made already. I would love to say that my efforts brought about this move but I believe that the decision had been made prior to my latest intervention. I have, however, phoned up once a month to complain about the ESPN feed.

As regards the rest of the season, the European GP in Spain and Suzuka will be with ESPN whereas the final race (Adelaide) will be the BBC.