Sky Sports F1
Sky Sports F1 is a television channel created exclusively for Sky's UK and Ireland coverage of Formula One, with Sky having a package of rights from the 2012 season[1] to the 2029 season.[2] From 2012 to 2029, Sky Sports F1 has the exclusive rights to broadcast Formula 1 live in the UK and Ireland, and will sub-licence highlights of all races and qualifying sessions plus the British Grand Prix live to Channel 4. Since 2017, Sky Sports F1 has broadcast Formula 1 in 4K UHD.
Country
Background[edit]
The BBC had exclusive UK F1 rights from 2009 until the end of the 2013 season,[3] having regained the rights from ITV. However, a new broadcast rights deal was announced on 29 July 2011, stating that Sky Sports would cover all races live. The BBC continued to broadcast half of the races live including the British Grand Prix and final race. It also allowed the BBC to show highlights of all races.[4][5] In November 2011, Sky announced the new dedicated F1 channel would launch in March 2012,[6] and will air all F1 races with coverage of practice sessions, qualifying and the race, live and commercial-free.[7]
On 21 December 2015, it was announced that the BBC would be ending its broadcast rights three seasons early after the 2015 season with its rights to 10 live races and highlights of all 21 races going to Channel 4. However, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra would continue to broadcast live commentary of the whole season until the 2021 season.[8]
Prior to the launch of the channel, there was some controversy about switching Formula One coverage at least in part to pay television.[9] However, since its launch, similar channels have launched in Germany and Italy in further moves towards a pay TV/free-to-air coverage mix by FOM (the Formula 1 rights holder).
Launch[edit]
The channel launched on 9 March 2012, seven days before the start of the 2012 Formula One season. During 2012, the channel was on air for sixty-three hours during race weeks and thirty-two hours during non-race weeks.[10] Sky Sports F1 announced via Twitter that there would not be a dedicated Sky Sports F1 app, however the F1 section on the Sky Sports News app was enhanced.[11]
Sky Sports F1 launched with a two-hour special of The F1 Show, presented by Simon Lazenby, Martin Brundle and Damon Hill, previewing the 2012 Formula One season.
Sky Sports News[edit]
During the Formula One season, Sky Sports News has two pit-lane reporters; Rachel Brookes and Craig Slater. They provide exclusive content to Sky Sports News viewers on the latest Formula One news. Brookes role has increased to include presenting some editions of the F1 Show, an alternate driver interviewer (in addition to Natalie Pinkham), and lead presenter for the Russian Grand Prix 2020.
Sky Race Control[edit]
Sky Race Control is the brand name used across all of Sky Sports F1's interactive services.[43] Sky Race Control is available via the red button as well as the Sky Sports website and iPad app in conjunction with a Sky ID. Features include the race coverage, official Formula One timing showing times of all 20 drivers in every session and 3 selective onboard camera feeds alternating between certain drivers. Sky Race Control has been scrapped on PC in 2015, but continues on the TV and the Sky Sports F1 iPad application.
Criticisms[edit]
It was reported that, on 18 March 2012, BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch ordered a news story on a plan to sell a stake of F1's parent company and shake-up commercial deals published the previous day to be removed from the Sky News website, subject to a review.[44] It was alleged that the move came after Sky Sports F1 executive producer Martin Turner complained that it had upset seven of the twelve Formula One teams ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.[45] The story was republished the following day substantially unchanged except for the replacement of some sections quoting directly from confidential documents. Jeremy Darroch said that "the issue was about process" and that Sky's sports team at the grand prix were not "properly briefed" ahead of publication.[46] When questioned whether the request for a review represented a commercial interference in Sky News's editorial independence, Darroch said Sky needed to have "proper rigour in terms of our processes in our business".[46]
At the 2022 Mexico City Grand Prix, it was reported that Max Verstappen and Red Bull would boycott interviews from Sky Sports F1, following comments made by presenter Ted Kravitz, claiming Lewis Hamilton was "robbed" of the 2021 Formula One World Drivers' Championship after mistakenly proclaiming him an "eight-time World Champion".[47] Christian Horner described his comments as “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.[48] Red Bull ended their boycott of Sky Sports F1 ahead of the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix.[49]