Australian Formula 1 fans could soon be switching to pay television if they want to follow a full season of live coverage. According to media reports Foxtel and Channel 10 will be mirroring the UK television deal which sees pay TV network Sky Sports covering the full season, while the BBC picks up the scraps on free-to-air.
There is a small chance that such a deal could be in place for the forthcoming 2015 season, which starts with the Australian Grand Prix in mid-March. However, a more likely scenario would see the new regime commence in 2016.
It’s expected half of the F1 races each year would be shown live on Channel 10 with the remaining events shown in a delayed highlights package. A similar deal has just started this year with V8 Supercars moving to a split rights agreement with Foxtel and Channel 10.
Foxtel would cover the entire season in full and would presumably take on the Sky Sports feed, including high-definition broadcasts for all practice sessions, qualifying and races. Sky Sports also has more in-depth analysis than Channel 10 does.
In terms of pure sporting coverage it’s reasonable to expect Foxtel would do a far superior job than Channel 10 or previous rights holders Channel 9 ever have. At the time of writing it costs $50 per month to get Foxtel with the relevant sports channels, plus an extra $10 per month for high-definition.
Clearly a situation where fans feel forced into getting pay TV will cause a lot of angst. Will it cause any more angst than Channel 10’s current inferior coverage? That’s a question for each individual to answer.
It’s being reported that the Fox/10 deal is currently with Formula One Management awaiting sign-off.
[Source: Speedcafe]
11 replies on “Formula 1 to Foxtel in 2016?”
Ohh f**k off Foxtel.
“ffs” i agree. been watching f1 for 30yrs and now this….. pfff…
Foxtel will not get a $ from me.
There are other ways and they will be explored during 2015 if this turns out to be true.
This is a disgrace!
Sports-betting and pay tv are the devil and any Australian involved in this deal should hang their heads in shame!
I can feel another hashtag being born soon!
#SayNoToV8SC
#SayYesToB12hr
#GetStuffedFoxtel
As I said on Facebook, I’d rather pay SkySports a direct fee and stream it from their website in HD quality, with no advertisements and with the ability to have commentary on or off [ambient soundtrack only]..
Why is anyone assuming that Foxtel putting the Sky coverage in the microwave and reheating it would be any better than Ten doing the same?
Can anyone name a sport in Australia which is covered by both Foxtel and a FTA network where the QUALITY of the Foxtel coverage is actually better?
SBS had a highlight package of the English Premier League a few years ago. It was a good way to see all the action in the EPL. I loved it. Foxtel took it away from free to air so I gave up on the EPL. I don’t miss it.
I love watching F1. If Foxtel takes it away from free to air I will give up on F1. I don’t mind watching a delayed package. In fact, sometimes I prefer a delayed package.
@Dave
Yes, Foxtel’s coverage of the AFL is far superior to the dross Channel 7 serves up, where the game is often secondary to faux entertainment and lifestyle stories.
Fox analyses the game much better, broadcasts it in HD, has no ads during play and with a few exceptions has better commentators and experts.
This move will help stop the on-line piracy issues that pay TV companies are all up arms against……. Said no one ever!
Well, it’s happening. F1 to Foxtel THIS YEAR, details coming soon if you’ve not seen them already.