Formula 1 Broadcast Coverage In Germany In '18 Remains Unclear

As the Formula 1 season ended with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, it remained "unclear which broadcaster will show the races in Germany next year," according to Jörn Krieger of BROADBAND TV NEWS. The TV rights contract between RTL and Formula One World Championship "expired at the end of the current season," the broadcaster confirmed in a statement. RTL used to transmit all F1 races live on its free-to-air channel while Sky Deutschland showed the races and additional coverage on its pay-TV platform. The negotiations for a new rights agreement "are underway," according to RTL. According to "industry speculation," Liberty Media "might reduce the number of races available free-to-air to make the pay-TV rights more attractive, increasing revenues from pay-TV operators." While Sky Deutschland is "keen on renewing its agreement with FOWC," Eurosport and sports streaming platform DAZN are also "believed to be interested in the pay-TV rights" (BROADBAND TV NEWS, 11/27).