BBC's F1 coverage gets PVR complaints

Nearly 300 viewers complained to the BBC after it switched live coverage of Sunday's Korean Formula One Grand Prix to BBC Two, which disrupted personal video recorders.

Coverage of the race was scheduled to run on BBC One between 6am and 9.15am, causing The Andrew Marr Show to be pushed back by 15 minutes.

However, the Grand Prix had still not finished by 9.30am and so the live coverage was transferred over to BBC Two, where it ran for another hour.

A total of 273 viewers complained to the corporation that they had set their PVRs to record the race but had missed out on its climax, when most of the exciting incidents occurred.

The BBC responded by arguing that the race was repeated "as live" on BBC One at 2pm on Sunday, while a highlights programmed aired on BBC Three at 7pm. The race was also available on BBC iPlayer.

The corporation further argued that the delay was beyond its control, as the torrential rain held the race back for nearly an hour. When it did start, the safety car had to run on the track until the end of lap 17.

In a statement issued to The Guardian, a BBC spokesman said: "Sunday's Korean Grand Prix was delayed due to extreme weather. The subsequent disruption to the schedule was flagged up to the audience throughout via the commentary and was also made clear again just prior to switching the coverage to BBC Two.

"The race was re-run in full on BBC One at 2pm and was available on-demand via BBC iPlayer. There was also an hour-long highlights show transmitted at 7pm on BBC Three. The BBC is committed to showing all 19 Grand Prix live and as our flagship channel BBC One is the natural home for Formula One.

"However, the BBC also has a responsibility to reflect a wide range of interests and therefore the decision was taken to switch the F1 coverage to BBC Two until its conclusion."

Live coverage of the race attracted 1.33 million viewers on BBC One between 6am and 9.30am, while 1.6m tuned in for the extra hour on BBC Two from 9.30am.