Sky Sports to launch dedicated Formula 1 channel

November 25, 2011   ·   2 Comments

Sky Sports have announced ambitious plans to launch a dedicated channel for its new in-depth Formula 1 coverage from March 2012, promising to take viewers ‘under the skin of the sport’.

Sky Sports F1 HD promises to get Sky customers closer than ever, with more action, analysis and information – on their TV, online and mobile devices – throughout the season.

This new home of Formula 1 will be the only place to enjoy live coverage of the whole Grand Prix season, including all practice and qualifying sessions and every race in the calendar.

From launch, Sky Sports F1 HD will offer viewers :

• EVERY RACE LIVE: From March to November, every moment of each race will be live in HD, without the interruption of adverts.

• LIVE PRACTICE & QUALIFYING: Every practice and qualifying session for each Grand Prix ^TM will be shown live on one channel, Sky Sports F1^TM HD.

• THE FULL SEASON IN-DEPTH: Over nine full months, viewers will have a wealth of programmes with in-depth interviews, archive action and weekly magazine shows.

• EXTRA LIVE CONTENT: Through Sky’s interactive service, fans can follow the action through on-board cameras, go behind the scenes with the teams in the pits, and follow race data, to take them further inside the sport.

The dedicated channel will be provided at no extra charge to all Sky TV customers who take both Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 or the HD pack of channels.  It will be found at 408 in Sky’s on-screen guide, after a scheduled move of the Sky Sports channels. Sky Sports viewers without the Sky+HD pack will receive a standard definition version.  No details of arrangements yet for carriage on other providers such as Virgin Media & BT Vision.

Sky Sports F1 HD viewers can also follow the action wherever they are with all live coverage on Sky Go, through online, mobile or tablet devices, at no extra charge.

Announcing the new channel, Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: “Formula 1 followers are hungry for more and we want to give them the ultimate experience. Its not just every minute of every race but a channel devoted to Formula 1.

He continued: “We can now tell the whole story of the season, from every Grand Prix, from start to finish. Formula 1 will get the full Sky Sports treatment. We have big plans for live shows and a rich line-up of Formula 1 programmes; getting to the drivers, exploring the technology and lapping up the drama.

“With a dedicated channel for Formula 1 we can also give all sports fans the depth and breadth of sports they demand every weekend, right through the year.”

Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s Chief Executive, added: “This brand new channel again proves Sky’s commitment to investing in the best content for customers. It will give even more value to Sky customers and create another reason for others to consider pay TV.

“This is another example of the value we are creating for customers through our content leadership. It follows the recent launch of other high-quality new channels like Sky Atlantic and Sky 3D as well as our growing commitment to UK original content in areas such as drama, comedy and the arts.

More information on Sky Sports F1 HD can be found at www.sky.com/f1

Sky Sports F1 HD Promo

What do you think of this development ?  Does a dedicated F1 channel soften the blow of the partial loss of live F1 on free to air TV ? Tell us in the comments below. 

Tags: Barney Francis, F1, Formula 1, Jeremy Darroch, Sky F1 HD, Sky Sports