Formula 1 has been a key element of Sk.y Deutschland’s sports line-up, but it lacks exclusivity as commercial broadcaster RTL shows the races live in parallel on free-to-air television.
Such non-exclusivity plus high rights costs are thought to be the main reasons why Sk,y’s managers evaluate not renewing the due-to-expire contract with the Formula 1, The negotiations have been ongoing for months, it is confirmed.
S,ky Italia has already dropped its Formula 1 coverage and its German counterpart would apparently save $27 million (€20 million) per year by pulling out .
The broadcaster is said to be only willing to renew the contract if it pays less than before for the rights.
Sk,y Deutschland is currently conducting market research regarding the Formula 1 amongst its subscribers and non-subscribers