BBC & Sky Sports to Share Formula One Rights

LONDON: BBC and Sky Sports have secured the live rights for Formula One coverage from 2012 to 2018.

The two broadcasters will offer HD coverage of every race of the season. All races, qualifying and practice sessions will air live on Sky Sports, available across TV, online, mobile and tablet devices. Half of the races and qualifying sessions will be live on the BBC for TV, online and mobile. The BBC will bring to all platforms extensive highlights of all races and qualifying sessions, even for the races it’s not covering live. BBC News, Sky Sports News and Sky News will all build up coverage of each Grand Prix. BBC Radio Five and Sports Extra continue to cover every race live.

Barbara Slater, the director of BBC Sport, said: “We are absolutely delighted that F1TM will remain on the BBC. The sport has never been more popular with TV audiences at a ten-year high and the BBC has always stated its commitment to the big national sporting moments. With this new deal, not only have we delivered significant savings but we have also ensured that through our live and extended highlights coverage, all the action continues to be available to license-fee payers. "
 
Barney Francis, the managing director of Sky Sports, added: “This is fantastic news for F1TM fans and Sky Sports will be the only place to follow every race live and in HD. We will give F1TM the full Sky Sports treatment with a commitment to each race never seen before on U.K. television. As well as unrivaled build-up to each race on Sky Sports News, we will broadcast in-depth live coverage of every session. Sky customers with Sky Sports will also be able to enjoy F1TM across multiple platforms and devices, including Sky Go.”