The BBC and Eurosport will continue to show Formula E for the 2020/21 season, it has been confirmed.
As in the past two seasons, the BBC will air live coverage across their free-to-air platforms, including the Red Button service, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website.
Some races may also air on BBC One or BBC Two, however this is dependent on how the Formula E schedule evolves across 2021 owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Extending our partnership with the BBC gives us the platform to bring the unpredictable action of our all-electric racing to people in the UK on mainstream channels and the popular BBC digital channels, as we also look to engage the next generation of sports fans around the world with our BBC Global News content partnership,” said Aarti Dabas, Formula E’s Chief Media Officer.
In addition to the BBC’s offering, live coverage will air on Eurosport, whilst fans can also watch every session live via Formula E’s YouTube channel.
Since launching in 2014, Formula E’s live coverage has jumped around various stations: from ITV4, to Channel 5 and now remaining on the BBC. It is unknown whether Formula E benefits financially from the current BBC deal.
Normally the broadcaster pays the series to air their content, but it is likely that the amount of money exchanged here is negligible, given that the electric series benefits more from the deal than the BBC.
The season kicks off this Thursday, with 2 night races in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
Thursday 25th February
Full scheduling details for the 2021 Diriyah E-Prix. Scheduling details correct as of Sunday 21st February and are subject to change.
15:10 to 16:10 – Practice 1 (YouTube)
Friday 26th February
10:55 to 11:55 – Practice 2 (YouTube)
12:45 to 14:15 – Qualifying (YouTube / BBC Red Button)
16:30 to 18:30 – Race 1 (YouTube / BBC Red Button / Eurosport 2)
=> Eurosport 2 coverage runs from 16:50 to 18:00
Saturday 27th February
10:55 to 11:55 – Practice 3 (YouTube)
12:45 to 14:30 – Qualifying (YouTube / BBC Red Button)
16:30 to 18:30 – Race 2 (YouTube / BBC Red Button / Eurosport 2)
=> Eurosport 2 coverage runs from 16:50 to 18:00
Fresh from the I’m a Celebrity castle, Vernon Kay returns as Formula E presenter, Kay now heading into his fourth season with the team. Joining him in pit lane are the usual trio of Jack Nicholls, Dario Franchitti and Nicki Shields.
Who’s who?
Behind the lens, Formula E partners with many external stakeholders to execute its vision.
Production companies Aurora Media Worldwide and North One Television bring their expertise together to form Formula E TV, the entity responsible for producing World Feed coverage of every session.
Aurora have been part of the Formula E journey since the championship’s first ever race in Beijing in 2014, with North One joining them ready for the 2017/18 season.
On the facilities front, Timeline TV provides equipment and facilities for the production team to use every race weekend, ensuring that everything Formula E TV wants to achieve on-screen is technically possible.
No series is complete without a strong brand and social media presence, which is where both Little Dot Studios and CSM enter the picture.
In recent years, Little Dot has been responsible for some of Formula E’s best social media projects, including their stunt involving a Formula E car and a cheetah in 2017. The stunt has amassed 45 million views on YouTube, easily the most watched video on Formula E’s YouTube channel.
In addition, Little Dot works with Formula E’s outfits, helping them on their social media journey.
Meanwhile, CSM’s involvement surrounds Formula E’s PR and branding, on and off-site, ensuring that the championship’s branding is consistent across all platforms, from trackside hoardings all the way through to Twitter.
Eight races are currently scheduled for season seven, with further race announcements expected in early spring.
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I think it’s worth pointing out that Derin Adesotoye, who won Formula E’s talent call competition, will also be presenting in Diriyah, although her role seems a bit unclear. I think the most we can expect is that she will either take up a similar role to Nicki Shields as pitlane reporter or she will co-present alongside Vernon Kay and maybe front a few VT’s.
Great, thanks for the info!
Didn’t realise there’s two races this weekend.. will catch them whilst I wait for F1 etc to start.
Thank you.
It’s been nearly a week and still no videos on YouTube showing the full races. Yes I know it’s on BBC & iplayer but I’ve cancelled my license as I haven’t watched anything on BBC for over a year. On YouTube it’s just two 5 mins Highlight videos, surely it should take this long to upload both races in full ????