ITV has announced that it has secured a new deal with Formula One Administration Ltd that allows the network to retain the exclusive rights to air F1 races live in the UK through to 2010.
F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone said: "We are delighted to retain ITV’s association with F1. They have been very committed to the sport for the past seven years and in that time have moved televised coverage of F1 forward to a new level. We have an excellent working relationship with them and look forward to another five years of successful broadcasting."
ITV says that F1 events form a "pivotal part" of ITV1's sporting lineup. The network's controller of sport, Brian Barwick, said: "F1 has been a key live asset to us since 1997 and we are delighted to retain our partnership with the sport to at least the end of the decade. It remains big-time event television played across a global canvas and we believe passionately in it."
F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone said: "We are delighted to retain ITV’s association with F1. They have been very committed to the sport for the past seven years and in that time have moved televised coverage of F1 forward to a new level. We have an excellent working relationship with them and look forward to another five years of successful broadcasting."
ITV says that F1 events form a "pivotal part" of ITV1's sporting lineup. The network's controller of sport, Brian Barwick, said: "F1 has been a key live asset to us since 1997 and we are delighted to retain our partnership with the sport to at least the end of the decade. It remains big-time event television played across a global canvas and we believe passionately in it."
