Sky Sports is to launch a new sports channel dedicated to its Formula 1 coverage from next season.
Starting in March 2012, Sky Sports F1 HD claims to “take viewers under the skin of the sport”, by allowing Sky customers to get closer than ever to the action, with more analysis, information, features and special programmes throughout the season.
Billed as “the new home of Formula 1”, the channel will be the only place for F1 fans to enjoy live coverage of all 20 grands prix, including all practice and qualifying sessions and every race.
Unlike Sky’s former pay-per-view F1 Digital+ service, which ran for one season in 2002, Sky Sports F1 will be provided at no extra charge to all Sky TV customers who take both Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2, or the HD pack of channels.
It will be found on channel 408 in Sky’s on-screen programming guide, once a scheduled re-arrangement of the Sky Sports channels has been made. Sky Sports subscribers without the Sky+HD pack will receive a standard definition version.
Sky Sports F1 HD viewers can also follow the action wherever they are with all live coverage on Sky Go, through online, mobile or tablet devices, at no extra charge.
What Sky Sports F1 HD has to offer:
- EVERY RACE LIVE: From March to November, every moment of each race will be live in HD, without the interruption of adverts.
- LIVE PRACTICE & QUALIFYING: Every practice and qualifying session for each grand prix will be shown live on one channel – Sky Sports F1 HD.
- THE FULL SEASON IN-DEPTH: Over nine full months, viewers will have a wealth of programmes with in-depth interviews, archive action and weekly magazine shows.
- EXTRA LIVE CONTENT: Through Sky’s interactive service, fans can follow the action through on-board cameras, go behind the scenes with the teams in the pits, and follow race data, to take them further inside the sport.
Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: “Formula 1 followers are hungry for more and we want to give them the ultimate experience. Its not just every minute of every race but a channel devoted to Formula 1.
“We can now tell the whole story of the season, from every grand prix, from start to finish. Formula 1 will get the full Sky Sports treatment. We have big plans for live shows and a rich line-up of Formula 1 programmes; getting to the drivers, exploring the technology and lapping up the drama.
“With a dedicated channel for Formula 1 we can also give all sports fans the depth and breadth of sports they demand every weekend, right through the year.”
Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s Chief Executive, added: “This brand new channel again proves Sky’s commitment to investing in the best content for customers. It will give even more value to Sky customers and create another reason for others to consider pay TV.
“It follows the recent launch of other high-quality new channels like Sky Atlantic and Sky 3D as well as our growing commitment to UK original content in areas such as drama, comedy and the arts.”
BSkyB are in negotiations with Virgin Media and BT Vision over a carriage deal for Sky Sports F1 on their platforms, though the channel will not be available on Freeview, despite rumours suggesting otherwise.
Sky have also acknowledged the high level of interest from fans to cover Formula 1 support championships, such as the GP2 Series and Porsche Supercup, on their new channel. An announcement is expected shortly.
In July 2011, it was announced that BSkyB and the BBC would share Formula 1 rights until 2018, in a controversial move which saw the BBC lose the rights to screening all of the races exclusively.
Sky will use the new channel to drive takeup of high definition television, which the broadcaster has promoted heavily in recent years, as it believes that a large section of F1 fans are interested in just watching the motor racing, rather than other sports.
The on-screen team will be confirmed over the coming days. Rugby presenter Simon Lazenby is expected to front the channel’s extensive coverage, with Radio 5 Live’s David Croft and BBC TV’s Martin Brundle the likely commentary partnership.
Former BBC and ITV F1 anchor Steve Rider is rumoured to involved too, with reports that he will front an F1 legends series for the channel.
For further information on Sky Sports F1 HD – Visit www.sky.com/f1
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I live in Australia and have foxtel, is the sky sports f1 channel going to be available to foxtel customers.
Sky Sports F1 will only be available in the UK and Ireland, but Channel Ten in Australia will be taking the Sky Sports F1 commentary feed of David Croft and Martin Brundle in its coverage this season.