Channel 4 will continue to be able to broadcast a range of F1 highlights and live coverage next year, including coverage of the British Grand Prix in July.
The deal, announced between Channel 4 and Sky on Thursday, means race fans will be able to watch highlights of all Formula 1 qualifiers and races on Channel 4. Sky Sports F1 continues to be the home of exclusive live coverage of all practice laps, qualifiers and race days.
The Channel 4 deal includes live coverage of the British Grand Prix weekend including the race itself on 9th July 2023. Channel 4 will also show coverage of the practice and qualifying laps ahead of the main race.
Produced by independent production company Whisper, the current C4 team will return to present coverage of the 2023 Championship. The season kicks off in Bahrain on the 5th March 2023. It concludes in Abu Dhabi on the 26th November 2023.
Online users will also be able to access coverage through All4.
Channel 4’s Chief Executive Alex Mahon said:
“It’s fantastic news that motorsport fans will be able to follow all the action during the 2023 Formula 1 season on free-to-air television thanks to this latest deal with Sky.
“Our strong, long-standing relationship with our excellent partner Sky has delivered some fantastic moments for viewers. Last year’s thrilling Formula 1 season finale between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, England’s dramatic win at the 2019 Cricket World Cup and Betfred Super League rugby have all been made available to British audiences on free to air television thanks to our close working relationship with Sky, and it’s great to see this continuing into 2023.
Stephen van Rooyen, Executive Vice President & CEO, Sky UK & Europe said:
“Our partnership with Channel 4 succeeds thanks to our shared values. We both support the UK’s cultural economy across TV & film production, journalism, and the arts, and of course we’ve shared some of the UK’s great sporting moments together over the last few years. Together with Channel 4 we look forward to giving racing fans in the UK all the twists and turns from the 2023 season.”
Channel 4 – Sky partnership
The announcement is the latest in a number of deals struck between Sky and Channel 4 over the past few years, as part of a wider partnership between the two broadcasters.
This has already included limited free-to-air coverage of F1 over the past few years. This season was the last season covered by the present agreement.
The partnership has also allowed Channel 4 to showcase major sporting events at short notice. Last year, Sky opened up the F1 season finale to Channel 4 viewers. Similarly, in 2019, the ICC Cricket World Cup final featuring England was made available to Channel 4.
Last week, Sky confirmed it had held on to the UK and Ireland F1 rights until 2029.