Formula E stays FTA in UK with ITV broadcast partnership extension until 2027

Formula E and ITV have struck a broadcast extension, ensuring the all-electric series remains on free-to-air (FTA) TV in the UK and Ireland until 2027.

Contract:

• All 18 races will be broadcast live on either ITV4 with a simulcast on ITVX, or exclusively on the latter
• A highlights show will air on ITV4 in the week following each race
• Coverage will exist alongside series’ existing pay-TV deal with TNT Sports

Context:

This deal marks a continuation of the coverage fans in the UK and Ireland experienced during the 2024/25 season. After moving behind a paywall for the first time in the 2023/24 campaign with TNT Sports, ITV addressed the lack of FTA coverage by securing a sublicensing agreement last season.

Formula E has generally struggled to gain traction in the UK, in part due to the absence of a dedicated broadcast home. Over the years, it has bounced between FTA channels, including ITV, the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5. The recent TNT Sports deal, however, appears not to have delivered the desired results.

Formula E chief executive Jeff Dodds acknowledged in an interview with Autosport last year that moving the championship behind a paywall produced “numbers that have been lower than we wanted”. It now seems that the original multi-year agreement with pay-TV’s TNT will run its course, with plans for a permanent FTA home set to be explored in the future.

Comment:

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for Formula E and we are proud to continue our partnership with them for a further two years,” said Richard Botchway, assistant commissioner of ITV Sport.

“In what is the largest season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship so far, we will continue to bring the very best action free-to-air across ITV4 and ITVX.”

Jonathan Salt, vice president of media at Formula E, added: “Our extended partnership with ITV is fantastic news for Formula E fans across the UK and Ireland, ensuring that the thrill of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship remains free and accessible to the widest possible audience.

“With our largest calendar yet and the exciting conclusion of the Gen3 Evo era, we’re looking forward to delivering incredible action to millions of homes.”

Coming next:

The upcoming Formula E season, which is the last before the introduction of the new Gen4 cars, will get underway in São Paulo, Brazil, on 6th December.

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