Formula 1 has confirmed that it will continue to be broadcast on ESPN in the United States through the end of 2022.
Formula 1 switched from NBC to ESPN for the 2018 campaign and has reported a year-on-year increase in viewership on the network, averaging 671,000 compared to 561,000 at the same point.
The new three-year deal will mean all Formula 1 races will continue to be shown live on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC, while practice and qualifying sessions will air live and in replay across various ESPN platforms.
ESPN will continue its deal with Sky Sports in order to carry the broadcaster’s presentation to US viewers, along with coverage of Formula 2, Formula 3 and the Porsche Supercup.
One element of the new contract is that ESPN Deportes will serve as the exclusive Spanish-language home for all Formula 1 races in the US from 2020.
“Our partnership with ESPN has delivered a 19 percent increase in viewership across the US and we are delighted to extend our partnership through to 2022,” said Formula 1 commercial chief Sean Bratches.
“The U.S is one of our key focuses for growth and ESPN know and understand the US Sports audience like no one else.
“The combination of their dedicated coverage and Formula 1’s amazing racing spectacle is a perfect partnership for us to build on our recent success with US audiences.”
