Channel 4 to broadcast F1 from 2016

After the BBC’s decision to axe Formula One from their scheduling, channel 4 have signed a three-year deal with F1 to show 10 races-a-season.

The BBC cancelled their contract to broadcast Formula One with immediate affect as part of a cost saving exercise.

This left the BBC’s deal to show 10 live Formula One races a season, along with the highlights package for the other remaining races up for grabs to the other broadcasters.

Many in the media assumed that ITV, who have shown Formula One in the past would step in, especially as their sporting budget has spare cash after it lost their footballing rights to the UEFA Champions League.

But in a surprise move the broadcasting rights have moved to Channel 4 for the first time.

They will show 10 live races, including practice and qualifying sessions and highlights of all 21 races through from 2016 to 2018 and have declared that the races will not include adverts.

‘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 Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to Motorsport.com.

‘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.’

Channel 4 CEO Jay Hunt added: ‘Channel 4 and Formula 1 are the perfect partnership. We’ve the same appetite for innovation and we’ll be demonstrating that to fans by becoming the first free-to-air commercial broadcaster to show the races ad free.’