F1 closing on HD coverage for 2011
Formula 1 is close to giving the final green light for High Definition television coverage of the sport to begin from the first race of the 2011 season, AUTOSPORT has learned.
With the HD switch topping the wish-list of fans during recent surveys, there has been much interest in how soon Bernie Ecclestone will approve the move - with the F1 supremo making it clear several times that he wanted to be sure that before he approved it, there were enough viewers capable of watching it and that broadcast channels were ready to distribute it.
Although he suggested in the middle of this year that the switch was unlikely before 2012, in recent weeks he has hinted that there was a chance it could be on the cards for 2011. In September, Ecclestone told the BBC: "I think we'll be moving to High Definition, probably next year."
AUTOSPORT understands those chances have moved a major step closer in recent weeks as big efforts have been made behind the scenes to see what is possible for the start of next season.
It is believed that the plans are at a sufficiently advanced stage for orders to have been placed for the equipment that F1 chiefs will need for the sport to be broadcast in HD.
There has been no official confirmation yet from Ecclestone about the broadcast plans, however - and such a declaration is unlikely to be made until he is 100 per cent sure that the suppliers can deliver what F1 needs....
autosport.com - F1 News: F1 closing on HD coverage for 2011
Formula 1 is close to giving the final green light for High Definition television coverage of the sport to begin from the first race of the 2011 season, AUTOSPORT has learned.
With the HD switch topping the wish-list of fans during recent surveys, there has been much interest in how soon Bernie Ecclestone will approve the move - with the F1 supremo making it clear several times that he wanted to be sure that before he approved it, there were enough viewers capable of watching it and that broadcast channels were ready to distribute it.
Although he suggested in the middle of this year that the switch was unlikely before 2012, in recent weeks he has hinted that there was a chance it could be on the cards for 2011. In September, Ecclestone told the BBC: "I think we'll be moving to High Definition, probably next year."
AUTOSPORT understands those chances have moved a major step closer in recent weeks as big efforts have been made behind the scenes to see what is possible for the start of next season.
It is believed that the plans are at a sufficiently advanced stage for orders to have been placed for the equipment that F1 chiefs will need for the sport to be broadcast in HD.
There has been no official confirmation yet from Ecclestone about the broadcast plans, however - and such a declaration is unlikely to be made until he is 100 per cent sure that the suppliers can deliver what F1 needs....
autosport.com - F1 News: F1 closing on HD coverage for 2011
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