Liberty Media secured a partnership with ABC, ESPN after NBC declined to renew its deal.GETTY IMAGES
Formula 1 fans in the U.S. will get to watch Sky's grand prix coverage in '18, after it was confirmed that ESPN and ABC will broadcast the pay-TV channel's service this season, according to Jonathan Noble of MOTORSPORT. After F1's previous U.S. broadcaster, NBC, announced that it was "not interested in extending" its TV rights deal into '18, F1 owner Liberty Media concluded a deal with ESPN and ABC instead. The channels "will use Sky's comprehensive F1 service for its coverage," with all 21 races scheduled for this season set to be shown. Sky's coverage "boasts a host of former F1 drivers" including Martin Brundle, Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert, Paul di Resta and Anthony Davidson (MOTORSPORT, 2/13). AUTOWEEK's Matt Weaver reported ESPN motorsports coordinating producer Kate Jackson said that the deal was signed "to provide American F1 fans with the best possible content available." Jackson: "Their coverage of F1 is second to none, and we look forward to bringing their expertise and authenticity to our audiences." Conversely, Sky Sports exec producer Scott Young sees this as "a means to expand SkyF1" into an int'l market. The agreement for ESPN to air the Sky Sports coverage was arranged by F1 (AUTOWEEK, 2/13).
