- All 17 races will be streamed live on TNT Sports and Discovery+
- The deal reportedly includes race-by-race FTA sublicensing options
Electric single-seater championship Formula E has signed a multi-year media rights deal with British and Irish pay-TV broadcaster TNT Sport.
Live coverage of all 17 races next season will be available exclusively on TNT Sports, with live and on-demand streaming available on Discovery+, although the latter will not be available in Ireland.
The all-electric series has previously been available on FTA TV in the UK, but Channel 4 has decided not to renew its latest two-year contract.
Formula E bounced back and forth between the BBC, ITV4 and Channel 5 a few years ago, highlighting its inability to secure a consistent slot on FTA TV.
However, Autosport reports that this new deal with TNT Sports includes the option of FTA broadcasting certain rounds on a race-by-race basis as the season progresses.
Formula E chief executive Geoff Dodds said: “This is incredible news for British sports fans who already watch premium live sport on TNT Sports.”
“From next month, they will be able to enjoy new thrills in Formula E racing, the most competitive motorsport on television.” We are pleased to be able to introduce you as our home base.
“We look forward to working with Jermaine Jenas, an experienced professional athlete and broadcaster, in Mexico City as he leads an outstanding line-up of expert presenters and brings a unique perspective to our viewers. I can’t do it.”
Formula E announced last month that Whisper will produce all English-language live race coverage and programming on behalf of NorthOne Television.
This includes a new one-hour build-up show before every live race, but also a revamped show in a more casual, magazine-style format the night before each race weekend.
TNT Sports’ multi-year commitment to Formula E reaches more than 225 million global viewers, up 4% year-on-year (YoY), thanks to the all-electric series’ most-watched season .