Sky Deutschland secures exclusive Formula E live TV rights in Germany
Sky will broadcast live all races of the new FIA fully-electric racing series, which begins in Beijing on 13 September. Apart from the exclusive TV broadcasting rights, the agreement also includes the internet, IPTV and mobile rights.
Formula E races, or ePrix, will take place on Saturdays. The live broadcasts on Sky will include half an hour of pre-coverage and 15 minutes of post-race analysis. Sascha Roos and Sven Heidfeld – the younger brother of Venturi Formula E driver Nick – will provide commentary for Sky with the first race aired from 9:30am (CET) live on Sky Sport HD 1.
Carsten Schmidt, Sky's Chief Officer for Sport, Advertising Sales and Internet, said: "With its mix of innovative technology and great entertainment, Formula E is a perfect fit for Sky and our customers. We're excited about it and are looking forward to the attractive line-up of drivers and the great venues, which make Formula E an innovative racing series with a promise for best motorsport entertainment.“
Sky Deutschland AG is the leading pay-TV provider in Germany and Austria with more than 3.8 million subscribers.
Ali Russell, Director of Media at Formula E, added: “Germany has a long and illustrious motorsport heritage and as such remains a key market for Formula E. We're therefore delighted to be able to announce this deal with Sky Deutschland, which will bring a new era of close, street racing to Germany's passionate motorsport fans and build further interest ahead of the inaugural Berlin ePrix in May 2015."
The highlights of the Formula E will also be available for free for all motorsport fans on sky.de/mediathek.
Formula E is the FIA's new fully-electric single-seater championship designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans, whilst accelerating the interest in electric vehicles and promoting sustainability. Racing entirely on temporary city-centre race tracks, it uses cars capable of speeds in excess of 150mph (225kph). The first of 10 races takes place in Beijing with the season finale taking place in London on June 27 2015.
The venues
All 10 races of the 2014/2015 Formula E season are street circuits. Among the venues are Beijing, Buenos Aires, Miami, Long Beach, Monte Carlo, London and Berlin. The race in the German capital will take place on 30 May 2015 at the former airport area in Tempelhof.
The teams & drivers
In the inaugural 2014/15 season, Formula E will see a total of ten teams each with two drivers. With Nick Heidfeld, who starts for Leonardo di Caprio's Venturi team and Daniel Abt, who represents Audi Sport Abt, there are two German drivers in Formula E.
In addition, many former Formula One drivers will enter the race – among them Jarno Trulli, who starts for his own team. Furthermore, second generation drivers Bruno Senna, Nicolas Prost and Nelson Piquet Jr. will revive the epic Formula One battles in the 80s and early 90s. With Katherine Legge and Michela Cerruti, the racing series will also see two female drivers.