Sky Sports have bought exclusive rights to show Formula One from 2019
Formula
One's future on terrestrial television appears all but over after Sky
Sports announced it has agreed an exclusive contract to broadcast the
sport from 2019.
Channel
4, new to the grid this season after the BBC surrendered its deal three
years early, currently shares the broadcasting rights with Sky.
But
its time in the sport looks set to be short-lived with Sky agreeing a
six-year contract to be the exclusive rights-holder in the UK.
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| Nico Rosberg celebrates winning Australian Grand Prix at the weekend, which was shown live by broadcaster |
While
Sky has said that the British Grand Prix, as well as highlights of the
other races, will be shown on a 'free-to-air' basis, the news is likely
to come as huge blow to the millions of fans who watch the sport on
terrestrial TV.
Nearly three million people tuned in to watch Channel 4's highlights of Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.
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Barney
Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, added: 'This is a brilliant
deal that takes Sky's partnership with F1 to the next level. Since 2012,
we have demonstrated unrivalled commitment to F1, offering fans
innovations including a dedicated channel and the very best broadcasting
talent.
'We
are delighted that we are strengthening our coverage for viewers even
further, with live and exclusive F1 from 2019. We are pleased to support
F1 and look forward to working with them to progress, develop and
enhance coverage of the championship during the agreement.'
As
well as making the British Grand Prix available for free, Sky will also
show highlights of qualifying and races without charge.
The Channel 4 team of Steve Jones (left), Mark Webber (centre) and David Coulthard at Albert Park
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| Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone is delighted with signing an exclusive contract with Sky Sports |
Sky Sports entered Formula One in 2012 and signed a seven-year agreement which saw it share the rights with the BBC.
It marked the first time the sport had not been broadcast exclusively on terrestrial television in Britain.
The
subscription channel continued its deal alongside the BBC until the end
of last season before the latter was forced to pull the plug on its
contract in a bid to make a £35million cut to its sports budget.
Channel
4's deal will see it show 10 races live - without commercial breaks -
and screen extensive highlights of the other races.
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| Nico Rosberg (centre) celebrates after beating Lewis Hamilton (left) and Sebastian Vettel (right) |
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| Mercedes driver Rosberg crosses the line as the chequered flag is waved at the Australian Grand Prix |