Sky Television failed in its bid to renew its rights to broadcast Formula 1 in New Zealand, according to Patrick McKendry of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. Sky will show the rest of the season, including this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, "but a drop in viewership" due in part to "later start times in Europe, plus the showing of official highlights on social media, has forced a change in approach" from the broadcaster. Sky reportedly bid for next year's rights and "it was not accepted." Sky is expected to release the news on Friday "on the eve of Bathurst weekend." The network will "probably also confirm" that it has retained the rights to V8 Supercars until '20 and NASCAR until the end of '21. The F1 issue is a "sensitive one for Sky because it attracts a loyal and often fanatical following," but it will "argue that going hard for the rights" did not make commercial sense. The "unsociable starting hour has put off viewers" in the region, with Kiwi motorsport supporters "instead drawn to an extensive (and free) package of highlights broadcast on Facebook" from 6am Monday (NZ HERALD, 10/4).
