Formula E returns to FTA in UK with ITV broadcast deal

Formula E has announced a free-to-air (FTA) broadcast deal with ITV in the UK for the 2024/25 season.

Contract:

• All 16 races will be streamed live on ITVX, with nine races shown on ITV4 linear channel
• Highlights show to air on ITV4 and ITVX in regular time slot following each weekend
• Coverage to continue on TNT Sports

Context:

Formula E signed a multi-year media rights deal with pay-TV broadcaster TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland last December. It was the first time the series had moved behind a paywall in the country, having bounced around FTA channels, including ITV, the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

Henry Chilcott, Formula E’s chief marketing officer at the time, told BlackBook Motorsport in March that “[moving to TNT Sports] is undoubtedly going to be challenging for a number of our fans who have got used to accessing it free of charge”.

Going down the pay-TV route was supposed to offer extra financial security after years of inconsistency hopping between channels. However, Formula E chief executive Jeff Dodds admitted to Autosport that moving the championship behind a paywall produced “numbers that have been lower than we wanted”.

Despite viewership gains in other markets, the churn of broadcast partners has seen Formula E struggle to kick on in the UK. The hope now will be that a blend of pay-TV and FTA coverage on TNT Sports and ITV will help grow the series in the country. 

Elsewhere, fans in Spain will be able to watch all Formula E races live through Eurosport’s TV channels on LaLiga+. Exclusive reports, interviews and documentaries surrounding the championship will also be offered.

Comment:

Aarti Dabas, chief media officer of Formula E, said: “We’re delighted to offer UK and Ireland fans even greater access to our incredible championship via our two fantastic media partners – TNT Sports and now ITV – giving them more ways to watch and taking them even closer to the sport.

“With our new post-race weekend highlights show on ITV, fans will be able to get bespoke content directly from the paddock helping educate, excite and entertain new and loyal fans alike. We can’t wait to bring our fans more track-side action and continue to grow the sport.”

Coming next:

The Formula E season gets underway with the São Paulo E-Prix in Brazil on 7th December.

Go deeper:

• 2024 Formula E season review: F1 comparisons, ownership changes and foundations for the future
• ‘Women don’t lack talent, they lack opportunity’: Why Formula E is running the first all-female test