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BSkyB to launch new Formula 1 motor racing channel
Published: Nov. 25, 2011 at 10:40 a.m. ET
Lilly Vitorovich
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC (BSY.LN) said Friday that it will launch a new channel for its Formula 1 motor racing coverage in March, which some analysts expect will attract new pay-television customers.
The U.K.'s biggest pay-television company, better known to consumers as Sky, said the new channel will broadcast all 20 races from March to November as well as every practice and qualifying session. The 2012 F1 season blasts off in Melbourne, Australia on March 16.
The new channel, which will be called Sky Sports F1 HD, will be provided at no extra charge to all customers who subscribe to both Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 channels, or the high definition pack of channels. Sky Sports viewers without the Sky+ HD pack will receive a standard definition version, according to the company.
Sky Sports F1 HD viewers will also be able to watch the F1 coverage on the Internet, mobile or tablet devices, at no extra charge.
"This brand new channel again proves Sky's commitment to investing in the best content for customers. It will give even more value to Sky customers and create another reason for others to consider pay TV," Chief Executive Jeremy Darroch said in a statement.
BSkyB's F1 coverage may result in 190,000-plus new customers over time, Royal Bank of Scotland analyst Paul Gooden said, citing a survey the bank commissioned.
BSkyB, which counts media giant News Corp. NWS, -2.40% as its biggest shareholder with a 39.1% stake, in July secured a seven year deal for rights to broadcast F1 for an undisclosed sum.
BSkyB had around 10.37 million customers at the end of September, thanks in large part to its extensive coverage of English Premier League football, and focus on exclusive content.
At present, all F1 races are shown on the British Broadcasting Corp. From next year, the BBC will broadcast half the races and qualifying sessions live. News Corp. also owns Dow Jones & Co., publisher of this newswire and The Wall Street Journal.
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