Formula E has announced that Channel 4 will become the exclusive free-to-air TV home of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in the UK.
The multi-year broadcast agreement, beginning this season, allows more live races in Season eight to be broadcast than in any previous season, as every fixture in the Championship’s biggest-ever 16-race calendar will be aired live on Channel 4 and All4, or on Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube channel.
Aarti Dabas, Chief Media Officer, Formula E, commented: “We are delighted to build on our relationship with Channel 4 as the exclusive free-to-air home of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship here in the UK.
“The multi-year partnership with Channel 4 is great news for fans across the UK and for the continued growth of our sport. Last season saw more fans around the world tune into our live race programming than ever before.”
Race highlights will be broadcast on Channel 4 and All4 – which looks to serve as the catch-up destination for all the action from Formula E – whilst the new qualifying format featuring all 22 drivers in head-to-head knockout Duels competing for pole position will also be available live before every E-Prix on YouTube.
“With Channel 4 established as the regular free-to-air home for Formula E in the UK, we look forward to better serving our passionate fanbase while attracting new fans to the excitement of all-electric street-racing,” Dabas added.
Channel 4’s race coverage, which is sponsored by Bristol Street Motors, will be presented by Formula E’s hosts Vernon Kay and Nicki Shields, expert analyst Dario Franchitti and commentator Jack Nicholls.
Pete Andrews, Head of Sport, Channel 4, added: “Formula E is a fantastically exciting sport and this deal is wonderful news for sports fans. We’re proud to be showcasing a sport with sustainability at its heart and one that plays such an important role in seeking to combat the climate crisis.”
Season eight begins in Diriyah on 28 and 29 January, as racing then continues in cities such as Rome, Monaco, Berlin, London and New York and for the first time, Jakarta, Vancouver and Seoul. Most of the races in Asia and Europe will be streamed live on Channel 4 and All4.
Round one will air live on Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel from 16:30pm GMT on28 January, and Channel 4 and All4 will broadcast live coverage of round two on 29 January from 16:30pm GMT.
In adding its motorsports content further, in December the platform also broadcast the deciding final race of the Formula One season for free, after Sky agreed to share its coverage.The deal allowed UK viewers to watch the controversial Lewis Hamilton race which saw The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) come under severe scrutiny following a decision made on the final lap.
