RTL is not completely turning its back on Formula 1 in Mick Schumacher’s debut year. According to its own information, Mediengruppe RTL secured the free TV rights for four races of the coming season as part of an extensive partnership in the areas of streaming and content with the pay-TV broadcaster Sky.
The plan is for RTL to start broadcasting races on April 18 with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. In addition, the broadcaster has optioned the races in Barcelona (May 9th), Monza (September 12th) and Sao Paulo (November 7th), “subject to current racing schedule changes due to the corona pandemic”.
In addition, the agreement initially concluded until the end of 2022 includes “extensive news access rights that enable Mediengruppe RTL to report on Formula 1 across channels,” said RTL.
From mid-1991 until the end of 2020, the Cologne-based private broadcaster broadcast all Formula 1 races live on free-to-air television. Pay TV broadcaster Sky secured the exclusive rights for the 2021 season, which starts in a good three weeks. However, four of the 23 races currently planned must also be shown on free TV. In the previous year, Sky had announced that it would broadcast this Grand Prix on its free-to-air channel Sky Sport News.
The broadcaster initially left it open with which staff RTL will work in front of the camera. In the past, Heiko Waßer and ex-pilot Christian Danner commented, Florian König acted as moderator for the show, and Kai Ebel reported from the pit lane and paddock as a reporter.
