Star Sports signs seven-year extension for exclusive Formula 1 telecast

FOX Sports and STAR Sports will continue their exclusive broadcast of the FIA Formula One World Championship for another seven years in Asia*, from 2016 till the 2022 season. The multi-territory deal with Formula One Management (FOM) provides FOX Sports with exclusive broadcast rights (cable & satellite & terrestrial) and multi-media rights to more countries in Asia than ever before including Japan.

With the new agreement, FOX Sports and STAR Sports will continue with LIVE coverage of every Formula 1 Practice, Qualifying and Race, which includes studio presentation and on-site presence for key races, all in standard-definition and high-definition, broadcasting from the new state-of-the-art studios in Japan, India, Singapore and Taiwan.

In addition, fans can choose to enjoy races with the various ‘second screen’ options, like through the RaceMateLive app, which provides LIVE drivers’ and pit-lane views, as well as multiple camera feeds and race statistics, or FOX Sports Play at www.foxplayasia.com or via the iOS and Android apps, for LIVE or on-demand action. Subscribers to FOX Sports Mobile may also follow the action streamed LIVE to their mobile phones.  Extensive highlights are also available on the 24/7 sports news channel, FOX Sports News.

Viewers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand will also be able to access commentary in Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malaysia, Cantonese, Mandarin and Thai respectively, in addition to English.

“This seven-year agreement for Formula 1 racing in Asia is in line with FOX Sports’ long-term strategy of continually investing in the property, to provide our viewers and clients with the best-in-class F1 experience. Equally important, it assures us as well our affiliate partners a long term horizon”, said Zubin Gandevia, President, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, FOX International Channels.

“We are thrilled to continue with the exclusive broadcast of the FIA Formula One World Championship and bring the highest class of auto racing to our viewers. This long-term association is in line with our aim of showcasing the best of global sporting events to create a multi-sport culture in India, and we’re confident that this exciting championship will fuel the growth of motor sports viewing in the country”, said Nitin Kukreja, President – Sports, Star India.

Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of the Formula One group, commented: “I am delighted we have managed to continue our successful relationship. With its on-going commitment to top quality coverage and production, I feel that FOX Sports, together with STAR Sports in India, will more than do justice to Formula 1 racing and continue to grow its fan base throughout Asia”.

The broadcast deal will excite F1 fans, as they will continue to witness the enthralling battles among drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, as well as among future stars, for seven more years, with the FOX Sports network. This latest contract renewal also follows the recent announcement of another long-term broadcast deal for The Championships, Wimbledon, which adds to the already-stellar list of sports content available on the all-new FOX Sports network.

Territories include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Caledonia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, North Korea, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.