F1: New TV deal for British Formula 1 fans

–by Mark Cipolloni–

British Formula 1 fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Sky Sports and Channel 4 have extended their long-standing partnership, ensuring motorsport fans across the UK will continue to enjoy Formula 1 coverage through 2029.

Races will be broadcast free-to-air on Channel 4 through at least 2026.

The deal means Sky will continue to have exclusive coverage of the global motorsport series in the UK and Ireland until 2029, while the contract runs until 2027 in Germany and Italy, where the broadcaster has also secured greater exclusivity.

Sky’s existing deal in the UK & Ireland was due to expire in 2024, so a five-year extension gives the broadcaster an unprecedented and unchallenged run as the home of Formula One.

Formula 1 has had a dedicated channel on Sky in the UK since the broadcaster started showing the motorsport series in 2012.

“I think that decision to create [a Formula One] channel was instrumental,” Ian Holmes, director of media rights at Formula One, tells SportsPro.

“Over the course of a race weekend, they’ve got so much more capacity to cover the sport in all its glory.

“A lot of the other F1 broadcasters around the world are taking note, it’s provided something of a blueprint as to what you can do with Formula One rights.”

Average viewership has increased 60 per cent since Sky gained UK exclusivity in 2019, with figures hitting 1.7 million for the 2022 season.

In that time, 4.3 million new viewers have watched Sky Sports F1, with 1.7 million of those being women. Plus, four of the five most-watched races in the channel’s history have taken place this season.

Formula 1 is booming!

Britain’s premier TV channel paid £1 Billion to Formula One Management to obtain exclusive rights from 2019 onwards to broadcast Formula 1 as ‘pay tv’ in the United Kingdom.