RPM (TV series)

RPM
Genre Motor sports program
Presented by Matthew White
Starring Mark Webber (Formula One reporter)
Daryl Beattie (MotoGP reporter)
Country of origin Australia
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 14
Production
Location(s) Sydney, New South Wales
Running time 60 minutes (including commercials)
Broadcast
Original channel Network Ten (1997-2008, 2015)
One (2011, 2015)
Picture format 576i (SDTV) (1997-2008, 2015)
1080i (HDTV) (2011, 2015)
Audio format Stereo (1997-2008, 2015)
Dolby Digital 5.1 (2011, 2015)
Original run April 1997–23 November 2008 (first run)
22 March 2011-16 November 2011 (second run)
8 March 2015 (third run) – present

RPM is a motorsports television program that aired on Network Ten in Australia from 1997 to 2008, and returned in 2011 on One.[1] The show airs on Wednesdays at 10:30pm,[2] after initially moving to Tuesdays for the show's return on 22 March 2011 until 16 November 2011.[3] These timeslots are a move away from the show's previous weekend timeslot whilst on Ten. The show has had a variety of timeslots and running times over the show's history, but generally aired on Sunday afternoons.

In general, the show usually runs from around early March to late October each year, in line with major events in the Australian calendar such as the Clipsal 500 and Bathurst 1000, as well as the Formula One and MotoGP seasons. The program covers all major forms of motorsport across Australia and the world, with a particular influence on Formula One, MotoGP, NASCAR, V8 Supercars as well as the Australian and World Rally Championships.

1997-2008 Format

Each show began with the 'Circuit' segment, documenting the latest motorsport news in the past week. This segment included race highlights from the previous week, as well as updates of the progress of Australians abroad, such as Marcos Ambrose, Ryan Briscoe and Will Power in the United States. 'Circuit' also mentioned rumours, such as potential driver moves for the following season.

Following this, there were usually around 4 segments, depending on the length of the timeslot. In later years, two of these were always taken up by updates from the MotoGP and Formula One series, either previewing or reviewing recent events. This generally involved the host discussing these events with the respective co-host for each form of motorsport. The other segments are usually taken up by either an interview with a driver or motorsport personality, a 'behind the scenes' report, a technical report (such as on the HANS Device or KERS), or features on other motor sport series, including smaller and obscure series.

Despite Network Ten losing the broadcast rights to V8 Supercars in 2007, the series was still regularly covered by the show. Before the network lost the rights, RPM often aired directly before the V8 Supercars coverage.

2011-onwards Format

The show, recorded live, features a mix of interviews and pre-recorded stories. The show now uses Skype for some of its interviews,[4] such as with F1 correspondent James Allen. The show also features in-studio interviews, particularly with local V8 Supercars drivers or other Network Ten personalities.

The show features some new segments, such as 'RPM Retro', usually featuring clips of Bill Woods or Barry Sheene in the early days of the show, as well as more prominently featuring the latest betting odds due to a sponsorship deal with a bookmaker.

The show has also added some general motoring segments, such as tips for safe driving on public roads.[4]

Cancellation

In March 2009 it was announced that the show would not air in 2009.[5] This was despite the simultaneous launch of One, a 24-hour sports channel created by the network, including expanded coverage of motor sport. However, the network decided to focus on individual motor sports and highlights packages on the new channel rather than a panel show.

Return

In March 2011, the show returned on One.[3] Greg Rust returned as host, along with Daryl Beattie as the motorcycle specialist. The only change to the line-up was the addition of Craig Baird, who replaces Cameron McConville as the Formula 1 specialist, after McConville was removed from the network's motorsport coverage during the show's hiatus.[6]

2015 revival

The show has been confirmed to return in 2015, alongside Network Ten regaining the rights to televise V8 Supercars, in conjunction with Foxtel.[7] No further details have been announced yet.

Hosts

Co-Hosts

The co-hosts are usually specialised in a particular area of motorsport.

Reporters

As well as the studio hosts, RPM has a number of roving reporters that provide interviews and features, particularly of overseas events.[3]

Past reporters

Awards

RPM was nominated twice for the Most Popular Sports Program at the Australian television awards, the Logies. The show was nominated in both 2006 and 2007.

See also

List of longest running Australian television series

References

  1. ↑ "RPM program changes time and day". Speed Cafe. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  2. ↑ "RPM set to return to Australian TV sets". Speed Cafe. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "About the show". One HD. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "New RPM TV program returns tonight". Speed Cafe. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  5. ↑ "TEN hitches RPM content to motor events". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
  6. ↑ "McConville dumped off Ten’s F1 coverage". Speed Cafe. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  7. ↑ "V8 Supercars Share Details of 2015-2020 Media Rights Agreement". V8 Supercars. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  8. ↑ Was also the motorcycle specialist.
  9. ↑ Rust worked as a presenter from 2001 onwards, but only became a full-time host in 2007.
  10. ↑ McClure briefly co-hosted RPM with Woods in 2006.
  11. ↑ "Beattie Reborn". V8X. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  12. ↑ "Craig Baird". One HD. Retrieved 21 March 2011.