Sky Race In To Buy F1 Racing TV Rights

Sky Sports and the BBC have revealed that they are now co-broadcasters of Formula 1 in the UK, with the new big-money arrangement beginning as of next year and contracted to run through to 2018.

The rights deal sees the BBC’s exclusive contract, which had been in place since 2009 end at the end of the current year, even though their deal with Formula One Management was set to expire at the end of 2013.

The move will see the BBC’s live coverage of the premier single-seater motor racing series halved, with only 10 of next year’s 20 races (and those race’s practice and qualifying sessions) set to recieve full live coverage by the national broadcaster. Sky, on the other hand, will be airing all practice, qualifying, and race sessions live, and in half of the events, exclusive (the other half will be broadcast simultaneously with the BBC).

For additional coverage, the BBC’s set of 10 races (which are already confirmed as including the events in Monaco, Britain, and the final race of the year (usually either Brazil or Abu Dhabi)) are to be streamed live on the BBC Sport website for UK viewers. Highlights of each race will also be available through TV, mobile, and online outlets, even those that are Sky-exclusive.

BBC Sport director Barbara Slater stated of the arrangement, which is thought to be a cost-cutting measure for the public broadcaster: “We are absolutely delighted that F1 will remain on the BBC. The sport has never been more popular with TV audiences at a 10-year high and the BBC has always stated its commitment to the big national sporting moments. With this new deal not only have we delivered significant savings but we have also ensured that through our live and extended highlights coverage all the action continues to be available to licence-fee payers.”

While it is the first time that a full season of F1 will be broadcast on free-to-air TV, it was only natural that Sky would snap up the rights, with the seemingly endless funding that the satellite broadcaster posess a perfect match for arguably the richest sport event in the world, and a likely outcome considering that Sky parent company News Corp recently showed interest in trying to buy the sport altogether.

Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis expressed his delight, and his company’s plans for innovation with the coverage: “This is fantastic news for F1 fans and Sky Sports will be the only place to follow every race live and in HD. We will give F1 the full Sky Sports treatment with a commitment to each race never seen before on UK television.”

He continued: “Subscribers are in for a real treat as Sky Sports gets ready to show every second of every race, qualifier and practice session. And, as you might expect, they can look forward to F1 being given the Sky Sports treatment, with in-depth coverage and cutting edge innovation. Sky was awarded broadcast rights alongside the BBC. As the UK’s two leading sports broadcasters, I’m confident that the partnership will bring increased choice, innovation and breadth of coverage to UK and Irish motor racing fans.”

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4 Responses to “Sky Race In To Buy F1 Racing TV Rights”

Dan on July 29th, 2011 at 9:44 am

What a sad day for F1 fans, this will mean many can not now enjoy every race. Or hey have to cough up more for the privelege. I certainly wont be lining skys pockets any more than I already do.
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