f1tv.formula1.com

It can be really tough to decide on which streaming service to choose, especially when there are so many of them to choose from! Each one has its own separate monthly price tag, and each one offers its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. There is no such thing as the perfect streaming service - everyone will have different preferences and needs. Some may prefer excellent content, but poor design; others might prefer a great user experience with plenty of content, but not so great design. It all comes down to what you're looking for in a streaming service! Although streaming services can be incredibly convenient, it is important to ensure that you are considering all of your options before making a commitment. This is especially true since many streaming plans come with a one-year commitment. So how does one go about figuring out if a certain streaming service is right for them, or worth their hard-earned money?

Secondly, how important to you is the ability to DVR and pause live TV? If you value this feature more than watching shows as they air, then a streaming service like Hulu or Netflix might be a better fit for you. Finally, what sort of internet connection do you have? Certain streaming services work best with faster connections, while others are more forgiving. There are a few things you will need to examine before choosing a streaming service. First, what type of content do you enjoy most? For example, if you are a huge sports fan, then it might be important to decide whether you want access to specific sports events or if you would prefer broader streaming capabilities including access to multiple sports. Second, how important are DVR/PVR capabilities to you? If this feature is more valuable than watching shows as they air then certain streaming services may be better suited for your needs. Finally, consider your internet connection speed. Some streaming services work best with faster speeds while others are more forgiving.

If you primarily watch combat sports, for example, you might be best off with UFC TV or Fite TV; however, if you just want a ton of coverage of numerous sports, maybe ESPN Plus will be better for you. At the end of the day it is all about making sure that a streaming service meets your unique needs. And from there you can figure out which services have the layout and content that will best cater to your needs.

But if you are reading this particular review, chances are you have already sort of gone through this process enough to narrow your decision down to the basics: you want to be able to watch as much Formula 1 racing as possible. And I can't blame you? Few things in this world are better than sitting down with a few cold beers and watching the race. And there is some great news for Formula 1 fans like you and me? The Formula 1 streaming service is top-tier - offering tons of content, great design, immersive features, and everything else you could ever want from a premium streaming service. So, what are we waiting for? Let's dive right in and check out F1 TV!

History

Prior to the launch of F1 TV, Formula 1 featured a different digital broadcast service, known as F1 Digital Plus. Digital Plus was announced at the 1996 German Grand Prix and was originally intended to broadcast exclusively to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. However, other countries began requesting access to the service in droves. The French broadcaster Canal Plus signed up for the service later in 1996 and had a contract lasting 10 years (estimated to cost $60 million per year). The original Formula 1 digital media service continued to grow in 1997 when the Italian broadcaster Tele Plus launched its F1 Digital Plus service. And Spain and England followed suit in 1998. F1 Digital Plus received an initial investment of $35 million, and over $100 million went into the service before it shut down in 2002. The service does not get talked about nearly enough, in my opinion, when it comes to what companies helped pioneer digital sports media.

Despite failing to achieve commercial success, Digital Plus features many new and innovative technologies for broadcasting Formula 1 races that have persisted throughout the years. These technologies, such as dashcams and overall cinematic production qualities, were pioneered by Digital Plus and laid down the groundwork for where Formula 1 TV would pick up and continue driving digital racing content further.

Design

The design of Formula 1 TV honestly feels more like a video game than it does a streaming service. I mean that in the sense that the overall layout and design of this service is one of the most immersive and dynamic of any streaming service I have ever seen, let alone a sports streaming service. Several on-screen menus allow you to easily and quickly switch between cameras, check stats and timings, or even listen in on live team radio calls. Check-in on the pit whenever you so desire, switch from there to your driver's own dashcam for a first-person fast-paced viewing experience. Few sports streaming services give the viewer this much control over the ways by which he can enjoy the content. The archives and libraries view this as an easy-to-use and intuitive way to browse video content. Formula 1 TV puts the viewer in complete control, allowing them to scroll through different highlights and videos from past races.

Content

For Formula 1 fans, F1 TV is a gold mine. Not only does the streaming service provide a robust archive of past races, Grand Prix, and basically anything Formula 1 has broadcast, but it also offers exclusive content that only F1 TV users will be able to view. For example, users have access to riveting F1 behind the scenes series and documentaries that other streaming services would never consider airing. This makes F1 TV an incredibly valuable resource for any fan of the sport. Sit back and enjoy every F1 race live, as it occurs. The service offers numerous ways to view the race from various angles and viewpoints, including being able to join your favorite drivers in the car for their point of view, following the action at the pit with check-ins, or watching the race in broadcast form. The choice is yours, so there's no need to miss a moment of action!

Desktop and Mobile Experience

I always tell people that when it comes to a premium live sports streaming service, smartphones are not going to be your best option. This turns out to be the case with F1 TV as well. You?re just not going to get the same level of immersion and dynamic viewing on a cellphone screen as you will on your smart tv or even desktop computer. So, the app may be best reserved for highlights, quick videos, and stats. It appears as if other people tend to agree with that assessment, as F1 TV?s app has an average of 3.4 stars on the Apple App Store - a rating that is not incredibly favorable. However, when it comes to the experience that you'll get from the desktop site or on your smart TV, it truly is unparalleled. There are no other sports streaming services like it on the market.

Pricing and Plans

The second option, F1 TV Plus, offers users the ability to watch all live races and broadcasts as well as access to exclusive content not available on the Access option. This plan costs $5.99 per month or $54.99 a year. Considering everything that F1 TV has to offer, I would say that the service is incredibly affordable. The two options for pricing are the F1 TV Access, which only allows users to view replays, highlights, and archived races (no live broadcasts), for $2.99 per month or $26.99 a year; or F1 TV Plus, which offers users the ability to watch all live races and broadcast as well as access to exclusive content not available on the Access option for $5.99 per month or $54.99 a year Then, there is the full and total version of F1 TV Pro, which unlocks the entirety of everything that F1 TV has to offer. You can subscribe to this plan for $9.99 a month or $79.99 for the year. As far as premium sports streaming services are concerned, these prices are not bad at all - especially considering the innovative type of viewing experience this one provides.

Suggestions that I have for F1 TV

It would be nice if a free trial were offered. Just to let users get a feel for whether the service is right for them. A week would not hurt. You could always try it out by checking out the cheaper TV Access plan and only lose 3 bucks or so - but, still, I think that a free, no-risk trial option would really be the icing on the cake for this service.