Sky Deutschland has grabbed exclusive Formula 1 rights for Germany as free to air broadcaster RTL has been compelled to end its long-standing partnership with the premier motorsport competition due to the rising costs.
Sky Deutschland has confirmed a long-term exclusive deal with the global motorsport series. This will see F1 going off the free to air network in Germany for the first time in three decades.
However, Sky will also offer four races in each channel on free to air network, besides lifting the paywall for the 30-minute highlights show. The content will also be offered on social media.
Sky will now create a dedicated Formula One channel from 202. , mirroring the series’ deal in the UK with extensive Grand Prix coverage. Sky will also air four races from every season on FTA, whilst also providing a 30 minute highlight show in front of a paywall and increased social media content.
The aggressive push from Sky Deutschland marks a pronounced shift in strategy over the last few years. Having dropped Formula One in 2017, the Comcast-owned network then went on to announce a rights deal with Formula One for Germany and Switzerland in February 2019.
Elsewhere Sky and Discovery, the US-based media giant, have agreed a new long-term distribution and carriage deal across the UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria. The deal includes distribution of the pan-European sports network Eurosport on Sky’s platforms.