Daniel J SaitSky has agreed a new partnership with Formula One Management, tying up new exclusive rights as well as announcing that Formula One will be broadcast in 4K.
The new agreement delivers an exclusive package where Sky Sports will be the home of Formula 1 in the UK and Ireland from 2019 to 2024, offering live coverage of every Grand Prix.
The deal also delivers British Grand Prix on a free to air basis as well as highlights of all other races and qualifying sessions.
Additionally at least two other ‘prime time’ live races a season will be offered on the soon-to-be-launched Sky Sports Mix along with other F1 content.
Also for the first time, every race starting with the 2017 Championship will be shown in Ultra High Definition via the new Sky Q platform.
Sky Sports F1 will continue to be the only place viewers can watch each Grand Prix weekend live for the next three seasons in the UK, with 21 races live in 2016 which began with the 2016 Formula One Rolex Australian Grand Prix last weekend.
Installers will be interested to know that since the launch of Sky Sports F1 in 2012, over 13 million viewers have tuned in.
Blue ribbon events such as this and the support given by Sky could be the push that wider adoption of 4K has been waiting for.
The announcement is also the first major confirmation that Sky Q will be supporting 4K since the platforms was announced, promising 4K support in the future.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports 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 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.”
As well as launching a channel dedicated to the sport, Sky Sports F1 became the first broadcaster to introduce touch-screen ‘SkyPad’ analysis from within the paddock, offers fans a choice of additional viewing options via ‘F1 Race Control’ and offers an extensive schedule of features and support programmes.
More Sky News