Organisers of the World Endurance Championship are in discussion with several UK broadcasters concerning free-to-air coverage of the series, this site can confirm.
The championship had increased their free-to-air presence in recent years. In 2016, highlights of the series aired on Saturday mornings on Channel 4, whilst last year highlights aired on ITV4. In addition, last season saw some of the 24 Hours of Le Mans air live on ITV4, the highest billing for the race in several years.
However, there is currently no agreement in place with a major free-to-air broadcaster for the 2018/19 super season, which began on May 5th in Spa.
Speaking to this site, a WEC spokesperson said “The 2018/19 WEC Super Season had a fantastic start in Spa and had wide coverage in the UK through a combination of live broadcast on Eurosport/Eurosport Player and Motorsport.tv as well as highlights on BT Sport. You may also be aware that the whole race was available live on the FIAWEC App.”
The spokesperson added that, whilst their agreement with ITV4 ended following the 2017 season, discussions concerning the 2018/19 super season are ongoing.
“At the moment we are in discussion with them [ITV4] and other potential FTA partners to provide live coverage of Le Mans and all other WEC Super Season races to ensure it continues to reach as wide an audience as possible in the UK.”
“We are confident that we will conclude a new agreement very soon and will issue a press release as soon as a deal is agreed.”
Motorsport Broadcasting 
Well I am looking for something to replace F1 on UK tv next year when it is on Sky only, I can’t afford that. The F1 UK tv audience will reduce by up to 75-80% next year.
F1 highlights will be FTA next year, why is that any different to watching WEC highlights?
The FTA viewing figures have dropped by 35% by being given to C4, so the usual argument that F1 needs to be FTA to survive is a lot of rubbish.
A lot of people seem to be missing the obvious point, and that is that Liberty Media aren’t that interested in FTA. FTA broadcasters don’t pay the money, they don’t have the commitment, and Liberty just want to sell their OTT service because it’s direct revenue for them.
My first thought is that the FTA broadcasters don’t want it, certainly not at the price WEC want for it, otherwise a deal would already be in place. The problem is why would a broadcaster pay for a two horse race where, assuming reliability, the first and second positions are pre determined as was the case at Spa.
Remember, the BTCC is still live on ITV4 until at least 2022. I know it’s not the same, but it’s still motorsport!
I urge. Chànnel4Sport. to. take the. option for the. FIA. World Endurance Championship. (8). Live. Rounds. In. 2020
I have a passion for Endurance Motorsport Chanñel4Sport should be the. main channel. for the FIA World Endurance Championship and should sign a. Free to Air TV deal. (8). Live coverage rounds. in. 2020