Sky Secures Long-Term F1 Broadcasting Rights in UK, Ireland, and Italy

Sky has cemented its position as Formula 1's primary broadcaster in key European markets, securing multi-year rights extensions in the UK, Ireland, and Italy through 2034, effectively halting speculation of an imminent Apple TV takeover in those regions. The deal ensures continuity for millions of fans and underscores a strategic commitment to traditional pay-TV and streaming partnerships in Europe, even as F1 expands its direct-to-consumer and digital offerings elsewhere.

Why it matters:

This long-term renewal provides crucial stability for F1's media strategy in some of its most historic and commercially vital markets. It guarantees sustained, high-quality production and dedicated coverage for a massive fanbase while reinforcing the sport's hybrid broadcast model that balances premium pay-TV with selective free-to-air access. The agreement signals that, despite the disruptive entry of tech giants like Apple in the U.S., established broadcast partners with deep roots and production expertise remain central to F1's European ecosystem.

The details:

• The new agreements lock in Sky's exclusive live rights until the end of 2034 in the UK and Ireland, and until 2032 in Italy.
• Coverage will continue to include every session—practice, qualifying, Sprint events, and Grands Prix—across Sky Sports, Sky Sport Italia, and the NOW streaming service.
• Free-to-Air Access Preserved: Key fan-friendly provisions remain intact. UK viewers will still get free-to-air highlights of every race weekend and live coverage of the British Grand Prix. In Italy, TV8 will continue to broadcast selected races, including the Italian Grand Prix, live for free.
• The deal also extends Sky's rights to F1's support series: Formula 2, Formula 3, F1 Academy, and the Porsche Supercup.
• F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali praised Sky as a "dedicated, trusted, and passionate partner," highlighting its "world leading approach" to broadcasting and content creation as key to the sport's growth in these regions.

What's next:

With its European broadcast foundation secured for the better part of the next decade, F1 can focus its innovation efforts on other areas, such as its own F1 TV platform and the landmark Apple TV partnership in the Americas. For fans in the UK, Ireland, and Italy, the landscape remains familiar, ensuring no disruption in how they watch the sport as it enters its new regulatory era in 2026. The deal also positions Sky to build its narrative around the next generation of talent, including rising stars like Kimi Antonelli, for years to come.