F1 to drop behind paywall in 2019

For all the excitement surrounding the UK terrestrial rights switching from BBC to Channel 4, its Sky Sports that have snapped up Formula One long-term.

Sky Sports have announced that including this season, the only place to watch every Formula One Grand Prix weekend live for the next nine seasons is on Sky.

For the rest of 2016 through to the end of 2018, UK fans will continue to watch 10 races a year live with highlights, all on free-to-air television on Channel 4.

But from the 2019 season and right through to the end of 2024, Formula One races will be exclusive to Sky Sports.

The highlights packages for both qualifying and the race has also been picked up by Sky Sports, but this will be shown on a ‘free-to-air’ basis.

This will also be the case for the British Grand Prix.

Sky are also set to launch the new ‘Sky Sports Mix’channel for Sky subscribers who do not subscribe to Sky Sports and this channel will show ‘at least two other ‘prime time’ live races a season’.

Sky Sports F1 commentator and analyst Martin Brundle said: ‘I joined Sky Sports because I wanted to be part of a dedicated F1 channel with a total and long-term commitment to the sport. And we have certainly delivered on that. In a fast-changing media landscape, our coverage will get even better for F1 fans.’

Sky Sports managing director 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 absolutely delighted that we are strengthening our coverage for viewers even further, with live and exclusive F1 from 2019 and the chance to watch in Ultra High Definition for the first time from next season. 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.’