Channel 4 picks up Formula 1 rights as BBC ends its contract early

Channel 4 has won the rights to broadcast the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2016-2018 – after the BBC ended its contract three years early in an effort to save costs.

Channel 4 will broadcast 10 live Formula 1 races, including qualifying sessions, in each of the three FIA Formula One World Championship seasons from 2016 to 2018. It will also broadcast highlights of all 21 Grands Prix and qualifying sessions.

In a first for a UK terrestrial commercial broadcaster, no advertising breaks will be taken through the duration of the live races.

The BBC secured the original broadcast rights in 2009, however BBC Sport was asked to deliver £35m of savings and so chose to end its contract three years early. The broadcaster was already sharing the rights with Sky Sports in a cost saving push.
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“The current financial position of the BBC means some tough and unwanted choices have to be made,” said Barbara Slater, the BBC’s director of sport.

However, BBC Radio 5 live has extended its commentary rights for F1 until the 2021 season.

Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of the Formula One group said: “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.

“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.”

Details of the 2016 races broadcast live by Channel 4 will be agreed in early-2016. Further details of Channel 4’s production and presenting teams will also be announced in due course.