F1 agrees £1bn extension to Sky TV deal in UK, Ireland and Italy

Sky Sports has extended its exclusive Formula One broadcasting rights in the UK, Ireland and Italy under a new five-year deal worth UK£1 billion (US$1.4 billion), a 55% jump from the previous £645 million agreement signed in 2022. The extension keeps F1 on Sky until 2034 in the UK and Ireland, and until 2032 in Italy, while free-to-air coverage of each country’s home Grand Prix remains intact.

Why it matters:

This deal reaffirms the enduring value of traditional pay-TV relationships in established European markets at a time when streaming platforms are aggressively pursuing live sports rights. Exclusivity also means F1 TV Pro will remain unavailable in these territories, and fans will continue to rely on Sky’s premium offering. For F1, the massive rights fee increase signals confidence in the sport’s growth trajectory in two of its core markets.

The details:

• Sky reportedly fought off competition from streaming platforms to secure the renewal, according to The Sun, though no names were disclosed.
• The previous deal had only been in place for 28 races; this is the earliest extension ever agreed between the two parties.
• Viewership boost: Sky’s 2025 season was the most-watched F1 campaign ever in the UK and Ireland. In Italy, viewership jumped 25% at the start of 2026, driven by Kimi Antonelli’s strong performances.
• FTA commitments: In the UK, live coverage of the British Grand Prix and highlights of all races will remain free-to-air, though a new FTA broadcaster is needed as Channel 4’s deal ends this season. In Italy, TV8 will continue to show the Italian Grand Prix live.
• The partnership also covers F2, F3, F1 Academy and Porsche Supercup.
• Stefano Domenicali praised Sky’s “world-leading approach” and their on-screen talent, while Sky CEO Dana Strong highlighted British talent on the grid and rising stars like Antonelli as key drivers.

What's next:

With this extension locked in, F1 fans in the UK, Ireland and Italy can expect no change in how they watch the sport for at least another decade. The deal underscores that established broadcast partnerships remain a cornerstone of F1’s rights strategy, even as the sport experiments with different distribution models elsewhere, like Apple in the US. Don't expect a streaming revolution to hit these markets anytime soon.