25/11/2011
NEWS STORY
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Sky Sports has revealed its plans for its F1 coverage in 2012 including costs and details of a dedicated F1 channel.
Starting in March, Sky Sports will broadcast its F1 coverage via TV, online and mobile devices. The satellite broadcaster being the only company to show live coverage of the entire season, including all practice and qualifying sessions.
From launch, Sky Sports HD will give viewers:
Every race live in HD and without adverts.
Every practice and qualifying session for each Grand Prix will also be shown live on one channel, Sky Sports HD.
Over nine full months, viewers will have a wealth of programmes with in-depth interviews, archive action and weekly magazine shows.
Through Sky's interactive service, fans will also be able to follow the action through on-board cameras, go behind the scenes with the teams in the pits, and follow race data, to take them further inside the sport.
The dedicated channel will be provided at no extra charge to all Sky TV customers who take both Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 or the HD pack of channels.
It will be found at 408 in Sky's on-screen guide, after a scheduled move of the Sky Sports channels. Sky Sports viewers without the Sky+ HD pack will receive a standard definition version.
Sky Sports viewers can also follow the action wherever they are with all live coverage on Sky Go, through online, mobile or tablet devices, at no extra charge.
Announcing the new channel, Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: "Formula 1 followers are hungry for more and we want to give them the ultimate experience. It's not just every minute of every race but a channel devoted to Formula 1.
"We can now tell the whole story of the season, from every Grand Prix, from start to finish," he continued. "Formula 1 will get the full Sky Sports treatment. We have big plans for live shows and a rich line-up of Formula 1 programmes; getting to the drivers, exploring the technology and lapping up the drama.
"With a dedicated channel for Formula 1 we can also give all sports fans the depth and breadth of sports they demand every weekend, right through the year."
Jeremy Darroch, Sky's Chief Executive, added: "This brand new channel again proves Sky's commitment to investing in the best content for customers. It will give even more value to Sky customers and create another reason for others to consider pay TV.
"This is another example of the value we are creating for customers through our content leadership. It follows the recent launch of other high-quality new channels like Sky Atlantic and Sky 3D as well as our growing commitment to UK original content in areas such as drama, comedy and the arts."
In terms of costs, the Sky TV basic package costs £20 per month. To add the HD channels mix costs £10.25 per month. Therefore, Sky Sports F1 HD is available for £30.25 per month.
The service will be free for those that have both Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2. Which is currently £40 a month.