F1 announces new deals with ServusTV and ORF
Formula One has announced a new three-year TV rights deal with Servus TV and ORF. The new agreement means that fans will be able to watch Formula One on free-to-air Austrian TV from 2021.
Red Bull Media-owned ServusTV will sublicense half of the races to the country’s public-service broadcaster ORF in the coming years up to and including 2023. The exact split of races will be decided and announced before the start of each season.
The only execption will be the Austrian Grand Prix as it will be broadcast by both stations. In addition to the live broadcasting rights, the license package includes detailed highlight summaries as well as the rights for online and mobile.
Director of Media Rights Formula 1, Ian Holmes said he is delighted that ServusTV will start a partnership with F1 with its fresh, energetic approach.
“We are delighted to have concluded this new and unique agreement. F1’s loyal fans will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds with comprehensive live and delayed coverage shared between the two-leading free-to-air platforms in Austria. I am sure Formula 1 will benefit from ServusTV’s extraordinary energy, style and enthusiasm which will perfectly complement ORF’s hugely popular, knowledgeable, and respected production. We look forward to welcoming ServusTV and continuing our on-going relationship with ORF.”
Alexander Wrabetz, ORF Director General confessed that the coronavirus-dictated situation presents ORF with financial challenges, but he is happy that the TV station will continue its relationship with Formula One in a new form.
"These are economically challenging times also for ORF, and with the acquisition of the live broadcasting rights of the current Bundesliga season and the UEFA Europa League, ORF was recently able to secure free-TV rights that are equally important for sports and sports fans. ORF has already cooperated with domestic private broadcasters in the past, for example in the case of football rights.”
„Although the agreement with shared broadcasting rights is a novelty, this cooperation guarantees that Formula 1 will also remain an integral part of ORF's TV program in the coming years - while at the same time complying with economic requirements. And that is good news for all motor sports fans in Austria,” Wrabetz said.
