Sky Deutschland wins FIA Formula E TV race

Sky Deutschland has secured the exclusive live broadcasting rights for the FIA Formula E Championship. Sky will broadcast live all races of the new FIA fully-electric racing series, which begins in Beijing on 13 September. Apart from the exclusive TV broadcasting rights, the agreement also includes the internet, IPTV and mobile rights.

Formula E races, or ePrix, will take place on Saturdays. The live broadcasts on Sky will include half an hour of pre-coverage and 15 minutes of post-race analysis. Sascha Roos and Sven Heidfeld – the younger brother of Venturi Formula E driver Nick — will provide commentary for Sky with the first race aired from 9:30am (CET) live on Sky Sport HD 1.

Carsten Schmidt, Sky’s chief officer for Sport, Advertising Sales and Internet, said: “With its mix of innovative technology and great entertainment, Formula E is a perfect fit for Sky and our customers. We’re excited about it and are looking forward to the attractive line-up of drivers and the great venues, which make Formula E an innovative racing series with a promise for best motorsport entertainment.“

Sky Deutschland is the leading pay-TV provider in Germany and Austria with more than 3.8 million subscribers. Ali Russell, director of Media at Formula E, added: “Germany has a long and illustrious motorsport heritage and as such remains a key market for Formula E. We’re therefore delighted to be able to announce this deal with Sky Deutschland, which will bring a new era of close, street racing to Germany’s passionate motorsport fans and build further interest ahead of the inaugural Berlin ePrix in May 2015.”

The highlights of the Formula E will also be available for free for all motorsport fans on sky.de/mediathek.

Formula E is the FIA’s new fully-electric single-seater championship designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans, whilst accelerating the interest in electric vehicles and promoting sustainability. Racing entirely on temporary city-centre race tracks, it uses cars capable of speeds in excess of 150mph (225kph). The first of 10 races takes place in Beijing with the season finale taking place in London on June 27 2015.