ESPN agrees deal for U.S. Formula One rights from 2018
October 4, 2017
Formula One and ESPN have today announced a “multi-year linear and digital partnership” to broadcast every race live in the U.S. from the start of the 2018 season.
As part of the package, fans will be able to enjoy every practice and qualifying session, plus more than 125 hours of F1 programming across throughout the motorsport’s calendar. Every race will will be screened live on either ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC.
Burke Magnus, ESPN Executive Vice President of Programming & Scheduling, said: “ESPN has had a long commitment to motorsports, and Formula One is a crown jewel in the sport.
“There are many passionate Formula One fans in the U.S. and we look forward to bringing the pageantry, spectacle and excitement of F1 to viewers across the ESPN platform.”
Sean Bratches, Managing Director, Commercial Operations at Formula One, added: “We are excited about the return of the world’s foremost motor racing platform to the ABC and ESPN platforms.
“ABC’s Wide World of Sports first started airing live grands prix in the early 1960’s and this linear and digital partnership with ESPN represents a significant step forward in achieving Formula One’s aim of broadening the sport’s appeal.
“The U.S. market is a very important growth opportunity for Formula One and we are looking forward to working with ESPN to ignite the growing fan interest.”
WATCH: Murray Barnett discusses Formula One’s plans for the future
