Channel 4 have retained free-to-air highlights plus live coverage of British Grand Prix for 2023 F1 season in the UK.
Channel 4 first picked up split rights to F1 in 2016 – taking over from BBC – but lost their share of live coverage to Sky at conclusion of 2018 season, and have since aired highlights of all races except British GP which is contractually obliged to be broadcast live on free-to-air (FTA) TV.
Aside from the British GP, C4 only aired last season’s Abu Dhabi GP live following a late deal to simulcast Sky’s coverage of the race in place of their highlights programme, due to the historic nature of the title-decider which was controversially won by Max Verstappen to clinch his maiden title.
C4’s Chief Executive, Alex Mahon has issued the following statement on this new one-year deal, in which he said: “It’s fantastic news that motorsport fans will be able to follow all the action during the 2023 Formula 1 season on free to air television thanks to this latest deal with Sky.”
Mahon proceeded to praise Sky for their role in a “strong, long-standing relationship” between both broadcasters, which has enabled FTA viewers to witness “fantastic moments” from Lewis Hamilton’s seventh title in 2020 to last season’s intense title battle between Verstappen and Hamilton.
Sky Chief Executive and Vice-President of UK & Europe, Stephen van Rooyen added that “shared values” was key to this latest deal, as both Sky and C4 are excited to bring “twists and turns” of next season to wide audiences across Pay and FTA TV respectively.
Next season will commence on 3 March with Practice for 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix which marks the start of a 24 round calendar, which will see the Chinese GP return for the first time since 2019 and Las Vegas make its debut.
Sky meanwhile have renewed their exclusive live coverage until end of 2029 season across UK and Ireland.
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