Quote:
Originally Posted by muppetman11
Maybe Channel 4 simply didn't have the money or feel it worth the risk.
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Bernie Ecclestone has already said that he held talks with both channel 4 and Five with channel 4 being the one FOM chose to Persue. The reason for the breakdown in negotiations was down to the fact that channel 4 were not willing to wait, they wanted a deal for 2012 but Ecclestone was not going to break the BBC contract and risk a breach of contract case. The BBC On the other hand refused to talk to other free to air channels in fear of loosing all rights after 2013.
The BBC knew F1 has to be on free to air in one form or another and knew that the only way to keep F1 on the BBC was by selling their live rights to pay tv (in this case Sky) which allowed the BBC first choice on the free to air highlight package as they currently have a contract on place.
Ecclestone has stated his hands were tied due to the BBC currently having a contract for 2013 so they were the once who could and did Vito other free to air channels.