Scheduling: The 2017 Hong Kong E-Prix

“When the moment comes, let’s stand together!” Formula E is back for its fourth season! The championship heads to Hong Kong for their first two E-Prix (note the new stylisation) of the 2017-18 season.

Live coverage of the race in the United Kingdom will air on Eurosport, following a wider deal between Eurosport’s international arm and Formula E. However, despite also having live rights, free-to-air broadcaster Channel 5 are airing both Hong Kong races on a two-hour tape-delay. To a degree, the tape-delay does not matter much given the races start at 07:00 UK time each day, and Channel 5 would argue that the audience demand to watch Formula E at that time is very small.

When Channel 5 committed to Formula E in 2016, they did so on the basis that every race would be live on television, but as fans saw Channel 5 broke that promise towards the end of season three. Channel 5 say that “some” races will air live on their station this season; just how many remains unclear. Vernon Kay replaces Andy Jaye as Channel 5’s lead presenter, steering the ship on-site from Hong Kong, although it feels rather moot to be on-site with tape-delayed coverage, but that is the situation Channel 5 have decided to proceed with.

Elsewhere, both Channel 4 and Sky are airing their Formula 1 season reviews this weekend, meaning that neither channel will be airing original F1 content over the festive period. Channel 4’s review will be voiced by Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch. The AUTOSPORT Awards return on Sunday with a new look. Under the ownership of Motorsport Network, out goes Steve Rider and in come Lee McKenzie and David Coulthard as presenters. Motorsport Network have collaborated with Velocity, part owned by Coulthard, on the revamp.

Formula E – Hong Kong (online via YouTube)
01/12 (Friday night)– 22:55 to 23:55 – Race 1, Practice 1
02/12 – 01:25 to 02:10 – Race 1, Practice 2
02/12 – 02:45 to 04:10 – Race 1, Qualifying
03/12 – 00:25 to 01:25 – Race 2, Practice
03/12 – 02:45 to 04:10 – Race 2, Qualifying

Formula E – Hong Kong
02/12 – 06:00 to 08:00 – Race 1 (Eurosport)
=> 06:00 to 06:45 – Qualifying [tape delay]
=> 06:45 to 08:00 – Race [live]
02/12 – 09:00 to 10:45 – Race 1 (Channel 5)
03/12 – 06:00 to 08:00 – Race 2 (Eurosport)
=> 06:00 to 06:45 – Qualifying [tape delay]
=> 06:45 to 08:00 – Race [live]
03/12 – 08:55 to 10:40 – Race 2 (Channel 5)

AUTOSPORT Awards (Motorsport.tv)
03/12 – 20:30 to 23:35
=> 20:30 – A Night of Stars: 30 Years of the AUTOSPORT Awards
=> 21:30 – Live Ceremony

Formula 1
03/12 – 00:30 to 01:00 – Nico Rosberg: My Life after F1 (BBC News)
=> repeated throughout the weekend
03/12 – 12:00 to 13:00 – 2017 Season Review (Sky Sports F1)
03/12 – 13:00 to 14:00 – 2017 Season Review (Channel 4)

World Touring Car Championship – Qatar (Eurosport 2)
01/12 – 11:30 to 13:00
=> 11:30 – Qualifying
=> 12:30 – MAC3 race
01/12 – 18:15 to 20:15
=> 18:15 – Race 1
=> 19:15 – Race 2

As always, the schedule will be updated if anything changes.