BBC wins back F1 broadcast rights from 2009

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 20-Mar-08, 09:00

LONDON - The BBC has won back the rights to broadcast Formula 1 motor racing from next year after signing a five-year deal for an undisclosed sum, replacing ITV, which has hosted the sport for the last 12 years.

The corporation said the deal would extend across all platforms, including TV and radio, mobile and full broadband coverage through the BBC Sport website.

The deal will mark the first time the broadcaster has screened full race coverage on TV since 1996, although BBC Radio 5 Live does provide full commentary for all F1 races.

In a statement, ITV said it had been a "straightforward commercial decision for ITV" to exit F1 at the end of the year, and that it was "pleased" the sport would continue to be broadcast free-to-air.

Securing the rights for F1 is a major coup for BBC Sport, which lost out to BSkyB earlier this week to broadcast the majority of Champions League coverage from 2009 in a three-year deal worth £240m. However, it may still land the rights to broadcast its first choice of Wednesday night matches in an auction today.

This year's F1 season got underway with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne last weekend, which was won by McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton. ITV's coverage of the race's qualifying session drew 1.7m viewers for its Saturday afternoon slot.

Dominic Coles, BBC Sport director of sport rights, said: "F1 is a crown jewel of sports broadcasting, so to bring the rights back to their traditional home from 2009 is tremendously exciting.

"Fans will be able to enjoy uninterrupted, state of the art and innovative coverage from BBC Sport across all of our TV, radio and new media platforms for the first time since 1996."

Bernie Ecclestone, president and chief executive officer of F1 Management, said: "It is an exciting time for in Formula 1 and the BBC has some innovative new ideas to consolidate and expand our UK fan base."

Comments

Russell Carter - 20/03/2008

oh god, no! Are the Beeb really going to cut into the Eastenders repeat for 3 hours of motor racing on a Sunday? What about the Canada and US races that will on between 4 and 7 pm? Qualifying - Saturday afternoon - what happens when the 6 nations is on? somebody's getting shunted off to red button land I'm a big F1 fan and I think ITV do a good job, particularly at the Aussie race which bodes well for the rest of the year (depsite the ad breaks). It seems to be a pretty blatant attempt to cash in on Hamilton being a Brit. They better poach Matin Brundle too

Awalla Fa'Shagba - 20/03/2008

O noes.... Gary Linaker hosting? Surely not!

Keith Geddes - 20/03/2008

Now theres a point.. Martin Brundle.. who is going to commentate. One good thing, no ad breaks to miss anything. How ITV could guarrantee not to miss anything was beyond me. I moarn the days of James Hunt and Murray Walker. We cant have the 70`s back either. Hamilton.. who he? OH.. the `new` boy.. yes.. what happens when the honeymoon is over. Sorry, I`m still not impressed. Stevenage? Not any more. Whats he worth already? Sorry, the p.r. doesnt work on me.