Channel 5 Formula E’s new UK broadcast partner

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When ITV announced that it was going to drop the FIA Formula E Championship, many worried for the future of the sport. If it was to go to a pay channel it would surely lose a huge market and could terminate a huge amount of interest from British fans.

You will understand how happy we were when Channel 5 announced they had bought the rights to the first ever all-electric championship hosting the biggest names in motorsport. Channel 5, launched in 1997, is one of the five terrestrial channels available to citizens in the United Kingdom.

Although not known for its motorsport coverage, the channel adopted the FIA World Rally Championship at the start of this year, albeit highlights after the race weekend was over. The channel also hosts a series called Motorsport Mundial, a programme the channel describes as ‘another chance to catch up with the latest motor racing’ – although it appears the last episode was broadcast back in January 2014. For many, this would be the biggest motorsport series that the channel has hosted, with the popularity for the series growing race by race.

“Formula E is a fantastic opportunity for Channel 5 to offer live motorsports to our audience,” a Channel 5 spokeman said on Tuesday. “The sport is up and coming, utilising the very top tech and new and engaging ways to incorporate fans into the high octane action.””

“We are delighted that Channel 5 will be our new broadcast partner in the UK,” continued Ali Russel, Director of media at Formula E. “It was very important to us that the championship was on free-to-air TV, and we have been very impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment Channel 5 has demonstrated to the series and I believe this is an excellent arrangement for our many British fans.”

With the final three days of pre-season testing going on at Donington Race track until Wednesday, many British fans had worried about how the series looked to be heading. As it currently stands, there looks to be no London ePrix in both season three and the near future.

At least this welcomed news means fans can watch the races and qualifying sessions live for both the 2016/17 season and 2017/18. It has been confirmed that Channel 5 will broadcast all races live, with sister channel Spike offering coverage of qualifying. All practice sessions will be available through Channel 5’s social media channels.

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Image courtesy of Rajan Jangda

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