The Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 20, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia.
Sky has bought both free-to-air and pay-TV rights for Formula One in a new deal for the UK and Ireland that will run from 2019 to 2024.
Races will also be available in the Ultra High Definition format, available to holders of the new Sky Q receiver.
The broadcaster will show the British Grand Prix free-to-air with highlights of other races and qualifying races also on free-TV. The most likely candidate would be the Sky-operated Pick TV, which is available on Freeview, and has previously shown highlights of Ashes Test Cricket.
At least two other races will be on the new Sky Sports Mix, announced this week, and available to all Sky basic subscribers.
The remainder of the races will be seen, as now, on the dedicated Sky Sports Formula One channel.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports said: “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 and the chance to watch in Ultra High Definition for the first time from next season.”
Until the start of this season the BBC had the free-to-air rights to Formula One, broadcasting highlights and a number of races live. But cost cutting led the corporation to return the rights that were picked up by Channel 4.
Last season when the BBC was showing its free-to-air races, Sky screened selected Grand Prix on the pay-basic Sky One.
