Formula 1 set to produce the first-ever broadcast for children
After debuting a series of thrilling features over the course of the past season, Formula One will add another new exciting feature to its broadcast with the sport set to produce the first ever F1 broadcast for children.
At the Hungarian Grand Prix, younger audiences will have access to a new broadcast that be dedicated to children. Formula One and Sky Group will coproduce the special broadcast that will include bespoke graphics, sound effects and special features, including 3D augmented graphics on specific camera angles.
In the UK, presenters of the Sky Kids show FYI, Braydon and Scarlett, as well as young go-karter Zac, will join F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg and former NASCAR and IndyCar racer Danica Patrick to present F1 Juniors.
Over the course of the race week, the young recruits will try their hand at various broadcasting roles including interviews with their favourite drivers and other big names from the paddock, co-hosting with Natalie Pinkham and the Sky Sports F1 team, and commentating live during the race.
In Germany, the roles are yet to be defined with Sky Deutschland set to hold an open casting call for up-and-coming reporting talent between the ages of 10 and 14. The candidate will be invited to join their Sky Next Generation programme.
Commenting on the announcement, Formula One’s Director of Media Rights and Content Creation Ian Holmes said: “We want to ensure that our fans of all ages can enjoy and fall in love with Formula 1, so working with our long-standing partners at Sky on this project to target younger audiences is really exciting. This is a first of its kind in motorsport and I am excited to see the broadcast come to life and to watch the next generation of presenting talent!”
Former F1 World Champion and Sky F1 Presenter Jenson Button said: “We are really excited about giving the next generation of F1 fans a platform to show their passion and excitement for the sport as F1 continues to grow in popularity amongst younger audiences. We may just find our next Crofty or Naomi Schiff!”
Sky Deutschland’s Executive Vice President Charly Classen added: “With Sky Next Generation, we have done real pioneering work in our football broadcasts and shown that we at Sky are courageous and are also prepared to rethink our broadcasts and go in other directions. The response to the first Sky Next Generation productions from our viewers was overwhelming and so now we're taking the next step with the first broadcast in Formula 1. I'm sure young motorsport fans will be excited too.”
