Channel 4 has announced it will take over from the BBC as the terrestrial home of Formula 1 in the United Kingdom in 2016.
The broadcaster will show 10 rounds live next season and the remaining 11 as highlights, like the BBC has done since sharing broadcasting rights with Sky.
As part of BBC Sport being asked to make £35million in savings, the corporation has ended its television contract with Formula 1 three years early.
Channel 4 has signed a three-year deal to broadcast coverage of the sport from 2016 to 2018 on free-to-air television, with no advert breaks during the live races.
"I am sorry that the BBC could not comply with their contract but I am happy that we now have a broadcaster that can broadcast Formula 1 events without commercial intervals during the race," said F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
"I am confident that Channel 4 will achieve not only how the BBC carried out the broadcast in the past but also with a new approach as the world and Formula 1 have moved on."
David Abraham, Channel 4 chief executive, added: "Formula 1 is one of the world’s biggest sporting events with huge appeal to British audiences. I’m delighted to have agreed this exciting new partnership with Bernie Ecclestone to keep the sport on free-to-air television."
Commenting on the BBC's decision to stop its contract early, Barbara Slater, director of sport, said: "The current financial position of the BBC means some tough and unwanted choices have to be made.
"A significant chunk of BBC Sport's savings target will be delivered through the immediate termination of our TV rights agreement for Formula 1. Any decision to have to stop broadcasting a particular sport or sporting event is hugely disappointing and taken reluctantly.
"There are no easy solutions; all of the options available would be unpopular with audiences."
Further details on Channel 4's coverage, production and presenting teams will be made in due course. Details on which live races it will broadcast will be made in early 2016.
This article first appeared on Richland F1.
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| © Octane Photographic |
As part of BBC Sport being asked to make £35million in savings, the corporation has ended its television contract with Formula 1 three years early.
Channel 4 has signed a three-year deal to broadcast coverage of the sport from 2016 to 2018 on free-to-air television, with no advert breaks during the live races.
"I am sorry that the BBC could not comply with their contract but I am happy that we now have a broadcaster that can broadcast Formula 1 events without commercial intervals during the race," said F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
"I am confident that Channel 4 will achieve not only how the BBC carried out the broadcast in the past but also with a new approach as the world and Formula 1 have moved on."
David Abraham, Channel 4 chief executive, added: "Formula 1 is one of the world’s biggest sporting events with huge appeal to British audiences. I’m delighted to have agreed this exciting new partnership with Bernie Ecclestone to keep the sport on free-to-air television."
Commenting on the BBC's decision to stop its contract early, Barbara Slater, director of sport, said: "The current financial position of the BBC means some tough and unwanted choices have to be made.
"A significant chunk of BBC Sport's savings target will be delivered through the immediate termination of our TV rights agreement for Formula 1. Any decision to have to stop broadcasting a particular sport or sporting event is hugely disappointing and taken reluctantly.
"There are no easy solutions; all of the options available would be unpopular with audiences."
Further details on Channel 4's coverage, production and presenting teams will be made in due course. Details on which live races it will broadcast will be made in early 2016.
This article first appeared on Richland F1.
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