BBC Wins Formula 1 Broadcast Rights

The BBC has won back the rights to show Formula 1 from next year, in a five year deal that sees it take over from ITV.

ITV, which has hosted Formula 1 for the past 12 years, had a deal to air the sport until 2010, but has decided to pull out at the end of this season.

The five year deal signed by the BBC will run from 2009 to 2013 inclusive, and includes exclusive rights to TV, radio, full broadband and mobile.

Dominic Coles, BBC Sport director of sport rights, said: “The biggest motorsporting event in the world is returning home after 12 years.

“We were delighted when Bernie Ecclestone approached us about the return of F1 to the BBC. F1 is a crown jewel of sports broadcasting, so to bring the rights back to their traditional home from 2009 is tremendously exciting.

“Fans will be able to enjoy uninterrupted, state-of-the-art and innovative coverage from BBC Sport, across all of our TV, radio and new media platforms, for the first time since 1996.”

Bernie Ecclestone said: “I am delighted to conclude this new deal with the BBC. It is an exciting time in Formula 1 and the BBC has some innovative new ideas to consolidate and expand our UK fan base.”

ITV recently announced that it will be showing all of this season’s Formula 1 races live on its broadband TV service, starting with last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix (see ITV To Show Formula 1 Online).

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk