Italian broadcaster Sky Italia has renewed its deal to show Formula 1 for the next three years, gaining exclusive rights in the process.
As part of the deal, Sky Italia will be showing every Formula 1 race live on the Sky Sports F1 platform.
The deal also includes all of the support races live which include Formula 2, GP3 and Porsche Supercup, four races will be shown live which include the Italian Grand Prix on FTA television on the FV8 channel with delayed coverage for the other 17 races on the calendar.
Ian Holmes, Director of Media Rights for Formula 1 said: "We are very happy to have renewed our partnership with Sky Italia for a further three years. Italy is one of the most important countries in the history of Formula 1, where the passion for our sport is part of the DNA of many people, and it is very important to have reached this agreement which will ensure that all the races will be broadcast live.
"Also, it is crucial to have maintained a free to air package of rights, which will always include the Italian Grand Prix, part of the Formula 1 World Championship since its origins in 1950. Sky Italia has shown a great commitment to the sport and will offer the Italian fans a deeper and broader experience than ever before. More hours and more quality analysis across of Sky’s channels and platforms."
The agreement with Sky Italy is added to the others which have been sealed throughout 2017 with the commercial rights holder. Amongst them, Australia, France, Germany and United States which follows those signed in the last few weeks with Movistar+ in Spain and with FOX Sports in Latin America.
Matteo Mammì, senior director at Sky Italia added: "We are thrilled to have renewed our long-term relationship with Formula 1 for the following three years, and we are glad that, once again, Formula 1 has recognized Sky Italia as a key partner for engaging fans and maximizing exposure of the F1 brand. The new agreement sets a new paradigm in Italy where Sky gets full exclusivity for the first time ever and will broadcast all 21 races of which 17 live on a pay-TV basis only.
"We look very much forward to the partnership and continuing to serve Formula 1 fans in Italy by offering a broader and enriched multiplatform offer, including a multitude of contents via Sky digital and social media accounts. F1 is the second sport in Italy in terms of following, deeply rooted in the passion of the Italian sports fans and perfectly fits in our motorsport offer, which is the second pillar of Sky Sport portfolio. We are confident F1 will confirm itself as a mass high rating event throughout the seasons to come."
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