23/03/2016
NEWS STORY
Sky has agreed a new broadcast partnership with Formula One Management, which extends until 2024.
However, in a massive blow to fans, from 2019, the sport will no longer be available free-to-air.
The new agreement comprises:
Exclusive: Sky Sports will be the home of 1 in the UK and Ireland from 2019 to 2024, offering live coverage of every Grand Prix.
Free to air: The British Grand Prix, together with highlights of all other races and qualifying sessions, will be shown on a 'free-to-air' basis.
Sky Sports Mix: Additionally at least two other 'prime time' live races a season will be offered on the soon-to-be-launched Sky Sports Mix along with other F1 content.
UHD: For the first time every race starting with the 2017 Championship will be shown in the stunning picture quality of Ultra High Definition via Sky Q, the next-generation home entertainment system.
Sky Sports F1 will continue to be the only place to watch each Grand Prix weekend live for the next three seasons in the UK, with 21 races live in 2016 beginning with the Australian Grand Prix last weekend.
"I am delighted that we will continue to work together," said Bernie Ecclestone. "Sky's commitment to the Sport and standard of coverage is second to none."
"This is a brilliant deal that takes Sky's partnership with F1 to the next level," added Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports. "Since 2012, we have demonstrated unrivalled commitment to F1, offering fans innovations including a dedicated channel and the very best broadcasting talent. We are delighted that we are strengthening our coverage for viewers even further, with live and exclusive F1 from 2019 and the chance to watch in Ultra High Definition for the first time from next season. We are pleased to support F1 and look forward to working with them to progress, develop and enhance coverage of the Championship during the agreement."
"I joined Sky Sports because I wanted to be part of a dedicated F1 channel with a total and long term commitment to the sport," said Martin Brundle. "And we have certainly delivered on that. In a fast changing media landscape, our coverage will get even better for F1 fans."
The announcement comes just a couple of hours after the drivers issued an open letter to the sport's powers-that-be, in which they called for an overhaul of F1's "obsolete" and "ill-structured" rule-making process and admitted to fears as to the direction the sport is heading.