Eurosport has secured the exclusive TV and digital rights to the FIA Formula E Championship for the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons in Germany, Poland*, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, as well as in Iceland on a non-exclusive basis. Formula E is an FIA single-seater championship and the world’s first fully-electric racing series which had its debut season in 2014-15.
Peter Hutton, CEO, Eurosport said: “Motorsport is one of Eurosport’s pillars, with the channel broadcasting major events including MotoGP, FIA WTCC, Le Mans 24 Hours and the World Superbike Championship. Securing the rights to Formula E further bolsters the channel’s portfolio with a unique brand of racing. It supports our strategy to bring must-have content to local viewers whilst reaching a wider audience.”
“Discovery Communications took a stake in Formula E Operations Ltd, which shows the belief in the potential growth of the sport. The inaugural Formula E season was a thrilling spectacle for fans and it will be exciting to see how the sport develops as it further establishes itself in the motorsports calendar.”
Ali Russell, director of Media and Strategic Partnerships at Formula E, said: “I’m pleased to announce the new broadcast deal with Eurosport for the next two seasons of the FIA Formula E Championship. Following the success of the inaugural season we want to ensure audiences can continue to watch and engage with the series. This latest agreement reinforces our outreach across key target markets in Europe alongside other existing deals.”
The deal includes all events for each of the 11 rounds including free practice, qualifying practice and the race itself. The second season of the FIA Formula E Championship begins in Beijing on 24 October 2015 and runs through to the season finale double-header in London. The series will compete on 10 unique urban tracks located in the heart of the world’s greatest cities such as Paris, Buenos Aires and Berlin.
The championship sees 10 teams, each with two drivers including F1 names like Jacques Villeneuve (1997 World Champion), Nick Heidfeld and Nelson Piquet Jr (current title holder), as well as 2014 World Endurance Champion Sebastien Buemi and 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours winner Loic Duval. Other famous racers include Nicolas Prost (Alain’s son) and Bruno Senna (Ayrton’s nephew).
In the inaugural season of Formula E, all teams used identical single-seater cars. From season two, Formula E will operate as an ‘open championship’, allowing teams and manufacturers the opportunity to showcase their own innovations in electrical energy.
*In Poland, Eurosport will get the exclusive Live rights but non-exclusive highlights in 2015/2016
FIA Formula E Championship 2015/2016 season:
– Round 1: Beijing, China, 24 October 2015
– Round 2: Putrajaya, Malaysia, 7 November 2015
– Round 3: Punta del Este, Uruguay, 19 December 2015
– Round 4: Buenos Aires, Argentina, 6 February 2016
– Round 5: venue to be announced, 19 March 2016
– Round 6: Long Beach, USA, 2 April 2016
– Round 7: Paris, France, 23 April 2016
– Round 8: Berlin, Germany, 21 May 2016
– Round 9: Moscow, Russia, 4 June 2016
– Rounds 10 and 11: London, UK, date to be announced