The television analogue signal was turned off in London yesterday, and to commemorate the change an impressive light show took place at Crystal Palace transmitter last night, where I took this picture in somewhat drizzly conditions.

The light show, and associated event, was organised by transmitter owner Arqiva.

Although I have my doubts about the quality of DVB pictures on Freeview, especially when too much compression is applied to some of the channels, this is a major development in UK broadcasting as part of the process of turning off the analogue television signal after seventy five years.

Jenson Button’s immaculate Formula 1 victory from pole this weekend against the glamorous backdrop of Monte Carlo prompts me to look at the BBC coverage.

Monte Carlo is the sixth Formula 1 race covered by the BBC since it gained the TV rights from ITV at the end of the last season.

The Corporation already had the UK radio rights, which, along with the inherited live streaming rights and the red button channels showing practice sessions and alternative race coverage, a true multi-platform service has been provided.

The BBC Formula 1 site has provided the hub for all of the coverage, which, now we’re just over a third of the way through the season, has proved to be of a very high standard.

The coverage was always going to improve on ITV, just by the absence of ad breaks, but with BBC Sport obviously expending a lot more time and effort on scene set items and background material, it has produced one of the most polished sports productions in recent years.

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Another good Grand Prix at Malaysia during the weekend.

Not as many thrills and spills as Australia but this was expected as the Malaysian track is a more conventional modern configuration.

The ITV streaming this time was the correct aspect ratio – not surprising since the coverage was 16 by 9 which was displayed in a 16 by 9 box on their website!

Shock announcement on the UK television coverage rights, moving from ITV to the BBC two years before the end of the current contract.

This is good if, for nothing else, there will no advertisements intruding into the coverage.

Bernie Ecclestone gives some background and there’s interesting analysis in The Guardian on the reasons behind the rights change.

I’ve been watching the live streaming feed of the opening Formula One race of the 2008 season on ITV.

The deal with Bernie Ecclestone’s Formula One Management, includes coverage of practice sessions, and is understood to be initially for a year.

From my connection to the net the feed was struggling at times – not surprising given the speed of the cars resulting in plenty of changing picture data.

It was disappointing the original 4 by 3 aspect ratio of the pictures from Australia had been ‘squashed’ into 16 by 9 on ITV’s site.

The race itself showed the dramatic effect of the 2008 rule changes, particularly the removal of traction control – only seven cars finished, the lowest number in the history of the Melbourne race.

The race was certainly one of the most unpredictable and exciting Formula One race I’ve seen for a number of years and show the rule changes have put more emphasis on driver skills.