F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone "is prepared to offer the BBC a cut-price contract to keep Formula One on terrestrial television," according to Jonathan McEvoy of the London DAILY MAIL. Speaking in Spa ahead of Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, Ecclestone said that "the current arrangement that splits coverage between Sky and the BBC is one he wishes to preserve in the next round of negotiations." That "will come as a tonic to the national broadcaster, which has haemorrhaged a host of sporting rights in football, golf, racing, cricket and rugby." While "there is probably an iron fist somewhere in his velvet glove," the notion that Ecclestone is prepared to accept a smaller price from the BBC "appears not to be fanciful." On Friday, "he agreed a new two-year deal with German broadcaster RTL for half the money he got 10 years ago." The global audience fell 5% last year -- "a reflection, it would seem, of some disgruntlement with the fare on offer and a broader move away from traditional TV viewing habit"s owing to the rise of the Internet (DAILY MAIL, 8/22). In London, Daniel Johnson wrote Ecclestone said that "negotiations over a new deal will begin next year." He said, "I hope they continue. We’re not interested in the money, we’re interested in entertaining the public and doing a service. That’s what we’re there for. I think it would be good [to continue as we have at the moment]. It works at the moment, so there’s no reason why it should change. Sky have done a super job. They’ve lifted the level and lifted the BBC up" (TELEGRAPH, 8/21).
