Formula 1 will remain on free-to-air TV in Germany, "one of its major markets," after agreeing to a contract extension with broadcaster RTL until at least '20, according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. F1 said in a statement on Tuesday that the new three-year agreement "included coverage of all free practice sessions, qualifying and the race." The German Grand Prix, "a home race" for reigning world champion Mercedes as well as Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, is back on the calendar at Hockenheim in '18 after being absent in '17 (REUTERS, 12/19). BROADBAND TV NEWS' Jörn Krieger reported the situation on the pay-TV market "remains unclear." The contract with current rights holder Sky Deutschland expired at the end of the current season. Besides Sky, competitors like Eurosport and Perform Group’s streaming portal DAZN are "also believed to be interested in the rights." Meanwhile, RTL "expanded its football offer by securing the free-to-air TV rights for the UEFA Europa League" between '18 and '21. The broadcaster will be able to show 15 games per season live and cover highlights of all matches. The live games will be "shared between RTL and sister channel Nitro." RTL did not give details on the financial conditions of both sports rights contracts (BROADBAND TV NEWS, 12/19).
