Formula 1 fans in the UK will continue watching races on Sky for many more years after a huge new broadcasting agreement was confirmed. The new deal reportedly keeps Formula 1 on Sky Sports until the end of the 2034 season, in a contract said to be worth around £1 billion.
The agreement is significant because it effectively blocks any immediate move towards a major streaming takeover from companies like Apple or Netflix, both of which have been linked with future Formula 1 rights in recent years. Instead, Formula 1 has once again backed traditional pay-TV broadcasting in one of its biggest markets.
Sky has been heavily involved with Formula 1 coverage since 2012, becoming the exclusive live broadcaster in the UK and Ireland from 2019 onwards. Under the new agreement, Sky will continue showing every practice session, qualifying session, sprint race, and Grand Prix live on satellite and streaming platforms.
The deal also means there is still no sign of the full F1 TV Pro service launching in the UK. Because Sky holds exclusive live rights, Formula 1 cannot offer its own complete direct-to-consumer streaming platform to British viewers. Fans will therefore still need either a Sky Sports subscription or access through NOW to watch races live legally in the UK.
Despite the continued pay-TV focus, some free-to-air coverage remains protected. The British Grand Prix will still be shown live on terrestrial television, while highlights packages will continue for other races. Currently this coverage is provided by Channel 4.
Formula 1’s popularity has grown dramatically in recent years, helped by younger audiences, new fans, and the success of the “Drive to Survive” era. Sky says viewing figures have continued to rise strongly, making Formula 1 one of the most valuable sports rights packages in UK television.
For satellite TV viewers in Spain and elsewhere across Europe, the announcement also confirms that Sky satellite broadcasts of Formula 1 are not disappearing anytime soon. While streaming services continue to grow, premium live sport remains one of the key reasons many households still rely on satellite television.
For the full breakdown of the new Formula 1 and Sky Sports agreement, read the original article on The Sat and PC Guy.
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