Red Bull-backed ServusTV and ORF will remain the F1 broadcaster in Austria for three more seasons from 2021 onward in a new deal.
Amid growing pay TV situation within F1, especially at the hands of Sky in UK, Italy and Germany, Red Bull-backed ServusTV and ORF will continue its free-to-air broadcast in Austria for three more seasons, starting from 2021.
The deal was signed as the 2020 F1 season started in Austria at Red Bull Ring, which will host another round this weekend. As per the new contract, ServusTV and ORF will split the races, while the Austrian GP will be live on both platforms.
They also have deal in place for highlights package and the rights for mobile and online programming. ServusTV Director General Dr. Ferdinand Wegscheider said: “After the historic season opener at the Red Bull Ring, I am especially pleased that next year we will be broadcasting the Austrian GP for the first time and many more races live on ServusTV.
“The new agreement with the F1 fills us with pride and we will do our utmost to write another success story in Austrian motorsport coverage, parallel to MotoGP. With Formula 1, MotoGP and the Superbike World Championship, ServusTV will offer the best live motorsport program to viewers from 2021 onward. The cooperation with ORF makes sense economically and guarantees that Formula 1 fans have access to all races live on free-TV.”
Ian Holmes, Director of Media Rights F1 added: “We are delighted to have concluded this new and unique agreement. F1’s loyal fans will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds with comprehensive live and delayed coverage shared between the two-leading free-to-air platforms in Austria.
“I am sure Formula 1 will benefit from ServusTV’s extraordinary energy, style and enthusiasm which will perfectly complement ORF’s hugely popular, knowledgeable, and respected production. We look forward to welcoming ServusTV and continuing our on-going relationship with ORF.”
ORF Director General Dr. Alexander Wrabetz said: “These are economically challenging times also for ORF, and with the acquisition of the live broadcasting rights of the current Bundesliga season and the UEFA Europa League, ORF was recently able to secure free-TV rights that are equally important for sports and sports fans.
“ORF has already cooperated with domestic private broadcasters in the past, for example in the case of football rights. Although the agreement with shared broadcasting rights is a novelty, this cooperation guarantees that F1 will also remain an integral part of ORF’s TV program in the coming years – while at the same time complying with economic requirements. And that is good news for all motor sports fans in Austria.”
Here’s video from Red Bull to welcome back F1
