Sky has won exclusive rights to show Formula One racing from 2019, the first time that the vast majority of races will only be available to pay-TV subscribers.
Sky already broadcasts all 21 grands prix live, but Channel 4 also has rights to show 10 races a year after striking a three-year deal thought to be worth as much as £35m a year. Channel 4 had picked up the rights after the BBC exited its own deal with the sport’s governing body early due to budget cuts.
The new Sky deal, which runs until 2024, will see Sky broadcast the British Grand Prix on a free-to-air Sky channel available on services such as YouView, and at least two other races on its yet to be launched Mix channel, which will be available to all Sky subscribers even if they do not take any of its sports channels. However, the remainder of the races each year will only be available to customers who pay for Sky Sports.
The chief executive of Formula One Group, Bernie Ecclestone, said: “I am delighted that we will continue to work together. Sky’s commitment to the sport and standard of coverage is second to none.”
The managing director of Sky Sports, Barney Francis, said: “This is a brilliant deal that takes Sky’s partnership with F1 to the next level. Since 2012, we have demonstrated unrivalled commitment to F1, offering fans innovations including a dedicated channel and the very best broadcasting talent.
“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.”
Earlier this week Sky revealed it was raising its prices from 1 June, with its Sky Sports package increasing by £2.75 a month to £27.50.
Sports rights have become a key battleground for broadcasters, with free-to-air broadcasters finding it increasingly difficult to retain live rights. The Six Nations was only retained on terrestrial TV after ITV and the BBC teamed up to see off a bid from Sky last year, and most live club football has long been out of the reach of broadcasters without paying subscribers. The most recent Premier League deal, which split rights between Sky and BT, was worth a combined £5.14bn.
Formula One is set to be one of the first sports to benefit from experiments by Sky’s new virtual reality studio, which launched last week.
