Formula 1 Hot News

F1: Series extends deal with Sky

Posted by AR1 staff

Formula 1 today announced a new multi-year extension of its broadcast partnership with Sky, cementing Sky as the official broadcaster of the sport in all Sky markets. Sky UK & Ireland will remain the exclusive home of F1 until 2029, having first entered partnership with the sport in 2012. Sky Germany and Italy will retain rights until 2027 with greater exclusivity – with all race weekends exclusively live and home nation races simultaneously live on free-to-air.

From 2023, Sky Sports F1 viewers will get even more innovative award-winning coverage and analysis from the likes of Martin Brundle, Jenson Button, Natalie Pinkham and Simon Lazenby. Fans can take control of how they follow all the action through an improved multi-screen and second-screen option, tracking their favorite driver’s position on the circuit or selecting a driver’s on-board camera.

Through the partnership, Sky’s platforms are helping Formula 1 reach new audiences with its coverage, with more women tuning in than ever before this season and with audiences skewing younger than previous seasons across the majority of Sky markets.  The 2022 season has already smashed viewing records, including:

Sky UK

  • Average viewership for the 2022 season is 1.7m, up 60% since the UK exclusive deal began in 2019, including 4.3m new viewers to Sky Sports F1
  • Of all 4.3m new viewers since 2019, 1.7m were women
  • Of five of the most watched races ever in Sky Sports F1 history, four have taken place this year

Sky Italia

  • Average viewership so far this season is 1.5 million, up 20% compared to 2021
  • Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March was the most watched GP in Italian pay-TV history, recording 1.937 million viewers

Sky Deutschland

  • 2022 is on track to be the most successful season ever with a 24% increase in viewing compared to 2021
  • Half of new viewers this season are under the age of 35 and 40% of new viewers overall are women
  • The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix achieved a new Sky record for any F1 race in Germany as 1.38 million tuned in

Since first broadcasting Formula 1 in 2012, Sky Sports has delivered extensive award-winning coverage of the sport for viewers, of the like never seen before in television history. Earlier this year, Sky Sports and F1 were awarded a BAFTA for their coverage of the dramatic 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Sky Sports F1 will continue to be the only dedicated channel to broadcast motorsport in each of Sky’s markets and the broadcaster’s best-in-class commentary will continue to be available in over 80 markets. As part of this deal, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Porsche Super Cup will also continue to be shown on Sky Sports F1.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO at Formula 1, said:

“We are incredibly proud of our long-term partnership with Sky, and we are delighted to announce that we will continue working together until 2029, a very important commitment from Sky. Since the beginning of our relationship in 2012 we have both strived to bring the excitement, emotion, and drama of Formula 1 to our traditional fans while engaging new and more diverse audiences. Formula 1 has seen huge growth in recent years, and I can’t think of a better partner to continue to reach our fans with dedicated, expert and in-depth coverage. Sky not only brings fans live coverage but a range of behind-the-scenes access and content that brings F1 to life. We are hugely excited about the future of the partnership and the journey of Formula 1.”

Ian Holmes, Director of Media Rights and Content Creation, Formula 1, said:

“Since Sky joined Formula 1 in 2012 the scale and the quality of their F1 content has continually increased. This new agreement with Sky reflects our long-term partnership and shared ambition to grow Formula 1 to new audiences and markets. In recent years we have returned to historic venues such as Zandvoort, and brought in new and exciting races such as Miami and of course Las Vegas next year. I am delighted that Sky will continue to be with us through this exciting era of our sport.”

Stephen van Rooyen, Executive Vice President & CEO, Sky UK & Europe, said:

“Every race. Every moment. Every twist and turn. All exclusively live on Sky for years to come! Formula 1 continues to break records on Sky, with millions more watching than ever before across our markets, driven by new younger and female fans which is fantastic for the sport. More than 80 countries will continue to enjoy our world class analysis and content of one of the most exhilarating sports in the world.”