The BBC announced this week that it must find savings of £35 million ($53m) from its sports budget over the next year, leading to many believing it could wield its axe on its Formula 1 coverage.
Currently the British Broadcaster shows half the races live and the remainder as a highlights package as part of a deal it struck with Sky TV, which took over the exclusive rights in the United Kingdom from 2012.
However Bernie Ecclestone has made it clear that he won’t renegotiate their contract until it comes to an end in 2018.
“We had a chat with them today,” he told the Telegraph. “What they would like to do is not spend as much money. They want to know if they can schedule it different ways or pay a bit less now.
“They don’t have a lot of choice because they’ve got a contract with us. They’re there for another three years,” he insisted.
However he didn’t rule out cutting a deal after 2018, as the 85-year-old is keen for some of the races to continue being shown on free-to-air television.
“Beyond then, I’ve no idea,” he added. “Definitely we want them to carry on. Of course.”
The BBC has already cut a number of sports from its programme, but with its watered-down F1 contract costing it £12m ($18m) annually, it’s no surprise its been considered as a potental saving for the broadcaster.
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