Viaplay appears to be in a prime position to retain the Formula 1 broadcasting rights, which it currently holds and will become available next year. The announced collaboration with SBS9, which will be renamed Viaplay TV from April 5th, is one of the factors heavily favoring the streaming service.
Rumors have been swirling for months: is streaming service Viaplay about to lose the Formula 1 rights after just three years? Ziggo Sport, the authorized broadcaster of the premier class until 2022, is reportedly preferred by rights holder FOM. However, this seems unlikely due to the arrangement hastily set up by the streaming service with Talpa Networks SBS9, the channel of media mogul John de Mol.
According to an insider, the accessibility of Formula 1 on the so-called ‘open’ network is one of the key conditions for obtaining the TV rights. Viaplay has now met this requirement in the new arrangement, as SkySports Germany did earlier with RTL. A number of races will also be broadcast live on Viaplay TV, as well as free training and qualifications. The exact number and timing are still unknown.
Furthermore, there are indications that Viaplay’s ‘broader approach to the sport’, the extensive attention to the support series, and the previously announced collaboration with F1TV (owned by FOM) have been well received by the rights holder.
On behalf of the Swedish media company, Peter Nörrelund has been negotiating with FOM for months to secure the rights again for his employer, which was in dire straits for a long time. The Dane appears to have accomplished his mission, an insider assures. The new contract, probably for a period of four years, is reportedly only yet to be finalized.
For the streaming service, acquiring the F1 rights is vital. With over a million subscribers, mainly race and Max Verstappen fans, losing them would be a major blow. It is not surprising that Viaplay has eventually teamed up with Talpa Network. De Mol has previously expressed interest in the broadcasting rights of Formula 1. In 1996, he was the founder of sports channel Sport7, a long-cherished dream of his. The initiative turned out to be a costly flop. After three months, the plug was pulled.
In addition to Formula 1, Viaplay TV will also broadcast football from the German Bundesliga, English Premier League, darts, and hockey. Talpa currently still holds the TV rights of UEFA’s Europa and Conference League, but will lose them to Ziggo Sport from next season.Your request does not contain any text for me to translate, correct, or improve. Please provide the text you would like me to work on.
