Formula 1: ESPN improves TV coverage significantly in Bahrain

After a disastrous return to covering Formula 1 for the American audience, ESPN improved their product greatly the second time out at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The American audience has been often elusive for Formula 1 to grab and attract to watch races around the globe. NBC Sports made significant inroads with these fans during their time with F1 rights over the last handful of years. However, much of that work was destroyed by a disastrous shift to ESPN to start 2018. The worldwide leader bounced back by Bahrain, making major adjustments to their coverage style for the better.

Perhaps the biggest issue for American fans was the commercial breaks throughout the opening Australian Grand Prix. By simulcasting Sky Sports F1, the challenge of inserting commercial breaks became even greater for those in Bristol, Connecticut, as there were few to no natural gaps to place them in. How did ESPN rectify this issue by Bahrain? Simply by eliminating the commercials, a move that would be universally applauded on social media.

The technical issues that the worldwide leader in sports had to battle during the opening weekend were gone as well. There was no incorrect advertising of start times, no missing feeds of pre-race coverage, and plenty of on-track action that led to an exciting race. Even at the end, when many likely feared that ESPN would cut off the post-race festivities early at the top of the hour, they remained with F1 through the end of the podium interviews.

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Now that ESPN has dug themselves out of the hole created with their horrendous coverage of the Australian Grand Prix, the network must continue with their latest adjustments. If any executives at the worldwide leader believe that they could simply eliminate commercials from one Grand Prix race and return to “business as usual” in Shanghai, they are sadly mistaken. American F1 fans will likely expect what they saw in Bahrain to be repeated for the rest of the 2018 season, including the marquee races being shown on ABC. While this will likely impact ESPN’s bottom line to an extent, it is worth noting that the network did not pay a rights fee for race coverage.

Of course, if ESPN were to decide to invest further in Formula 1, they could still create their own broadcast team. It would help them create more natural places for commercial breaks, something many there will be likely trying to find, and allow for commentary that could be more catered to the American audience. Not to take anything away from the outstanding commentary team for Sky Sports, but their analysis is understandably suited for a British audience, and not one in the United States.

Next: 2018 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix race results

The next race for the Formula 1 world championship comes from Shanghai, China. Be sure to tune in for the Heineken Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, April 15, live on ESPN2 and the ESPN app.

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