According to ESPN Star website FOM has agreed a new 5 year deal with ESPN Star Sports for F1 television broadcasts in Asia. The new deal gives ESPN Start Sports exclusive rights in 24 Asian markets. The deal includes internet, radio and mobile phone broadcasts and television coverage. I do hope that somewhere in the contract is a demand from FOM specificaly banning Steve Slater from commenting. But I am afraid that is only wishful thinking and all of us watching Formula 1 in Asia will have to put up with this self-confessed ‘petrol-head’ for five more years.
What caught my eye however is that besides TV the deal includes internet, radio and mobile phone broadcasts. Does that mean that there is a chance we may get on ESPN Star website ITV like online feed ?
Manu Sawhney, ESPN Star Sports managing director:
“We are extremely delighted to continue our 17-year strong partnership with Formula One Management through this historic new agreement. It is an ideal example of how partners can work together to build and grow a property.”
Bernie Ecclestone:
“We are very pleased to have reached this agreement extending our relationship with ESPN STAR Sports for a further five years. Formula One has enjoyed unprecedented growth in popularity throughout Asia over the last few years and we feel that this comprehensive new agreement with ESS will help continue this trend.”
on 
I thought i was the only one griping about his awful commentary! You have no idea how often (and how quickly each time) I found myself correcting him involuntarily. Like calling out the wrong name to the wrong cars, mistaking the Force India cars for McLarens, mixing up the first car (red camera) and second car (yellow camera).
I want his job. Period.
no, you are not the only one
Hello,no there are lots of us out there.( check espn360 f1 forum) I can’t stand him he has no clue!. I seem to find myself angry everytime imwatching something i love all the time becuase of him!!!! Thats just wrong. how can we get to the Fom and let them know what most of the viewers in asia think of there rubbish coverage!! 3 programs for one race why????????! with people who have no clue about what they are talking about!!!!!
I am afraid that FOM and Bernie himself do not care at all what the fans think about the TV coverage … It is not only the clueless Slater, it is also the ridiculous 5 minutes commercial breaks in the middle of 10 minutes qualifying session for example, or the annoying massively increased sound volume anytime the commercials start … And what I do not understand at all is why when I am watching F1 on a paid channel I also have to put up with the annoying commercials …
Agree with you F1Wolf & the others on the annoying ads for Qualifying & Race on the ESPN Star coverage. Most dislike the 3/4 screen used up for the ads when in race. Plus we should get rid of the commentator Steve Slater, get someone useful.
Yes we all think we are the only ones who hate steve slater,but if everyone hates him so much why is he still there?also after i wrote a blog post on him one of the commentors sent me the link of the ESPNSTAR 360 forum,i signed up but still can’t access the F1 board even after i log in
why is he still there is beyond me … he may have the knowledge, he may be genuine F1 fan, he may be good as a F1 columnist, but when it comes to live TV commenting he is simply horrible. yet he is still there … who knows, perhaps they can’t afford anyone better or they do not care …
One time I was in a rage and actually emailed the ESPN Star complaining about Slater’s performance, they did not bother to reply …
I am an Englishman living in India for the past 4 years.
I thought I would be able to watch and enjoy F1 but I didn’t reckon on having to tolerate Steve Slater. Can’t you give him to cricket or football??
Please find a substitute!!!! My wife and I agreed not to watch any more F! if he’s still there.So it’s goodbye F! from us. GAME ON as idiots say.
Dave Round
Hello everyone. sorry for my typos was typing in a rage!!. does anyone have any idea of how we can contact the the people in charge of f1 starsports.??????? Or berne himself????? once again we have S.S with the most boring man in the world commentating something that is spose to be exciting!@!.
does anyone have any contact or details of people who are in control of this. I need to vent my frustrations!!!
well, to my surprise, there is no longer any “Contact Us” form all link on the ESPN Star website. They probably couldn’t handle the complains any longer so decided to get rid of them …
Formula 1 official web only provides some general contact links, but do not see any that could be used to complain about quality of TV coverage … http://www.formula1.com/contacts.html
To me it is academic whether Slater continues his useless commentary…………………after the events of Spa I wont be watching anymore………………I wont be renewing my cable contract, as Formula 1 is now so screwed-up, and becoming more so as everey race progresses………………….no more for me, thankyou very much…………………………!
I am very disappointed with the British, new kid on the block, who is co-commenting with Steve.
While Steve has mellowed very much – Hero to Zero- this new FAT slob, who thinks he knows a lot of F1 racing, has been adverse in his comments on Hamilton.
Steve has many a time in the past stated, when Coulthard used to bum into everyone when trying to overtake, and adopting similar tactics to what Hamilton did just a while ago, that this was what F1 was all about.
Why the change?
Personal envey?
Hamilton is the best there is and is as good as Schemaker. But to see Bristish nobody comment on potential greatness makes me just loose interrest in F1 and the biasedness within.
Tks,
Rtohoomas
[...] it was announced early September that ESPN Star Sports renewed their Formula 1 broadcasting deal for anothe… my feelings were mixed. On one hand I was happy that we will continue to have Formula 1 races live [...]
[...] ESPN Star Sports continues as the broadcaster for 24 Asian nations, with Steve Slater – who I’ve only heard bad things about – manning the microphone once again. [...]
In one of the races last yesr, Massa had just enough fuel to finish the race and he was barely made to the paddocl after the victory lap. The great Slater commented that the car is using its own INTERTIA to move!!
Humm… What did he mean with that, that Massa had the classical brazilean meat stew with beans???
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[...] in September 2008 ESPN Star Sports revealed their new 5 year F1 broadcasting contract for 24 Asian markets. The good news is that we continue to have F1 coverage in this part of the world. I hoped (or it [...]
My favourite was Steve Slater’s reply (on air) to a fan’s email with subject No Lollies for Ferrari, and I quote “In actual fact the front jackman acts as the lollipop man for the Ferrari team.”