Channel 4 retains Formula 1 till 2019

It was confirmed on Wednesday morning (12/9/18), that Channel 4 will retain the terrestrial home of Formula 1 television coverage in the UK for the 2019 season will broadcast the 2019 British Grand Prix live to UK viewers, with the other 20 Formula 1 races shown as highlights in a new deal with Sky.



Sky has exclusive rights to screen all F1 races live in the UK from the start of next season as the shared agreement it has had with terrestrial stations on the BBC and Channel 4 since 2012 ends following the 2018 season.

Channel 4 has stepped up to take the terrestrial rights in 2016 after the BBC relinquish the deal, despite having three years left on their deal from 2011.

In my opinion good for Channel 4, in the end of the day the damaged was done when the 2019 to 2024 contract between Sky and FOM was confirmed in March 2016, when Bernie Ecclestone was still at the helm. For Channel 4 it was the only deal on the table for them to continue sadly.