Channel 4 and Sky confirm 2018 scheduling details

Channel 4 and Sky Sports have today confirmed their 2018 Formula One calendar picks, the final time this process takes place under the terms of original BBC and Sky deal from 2012 to 2018.

The picks are as follows:

2018 Schedule Details
March 25th – Australia (Melbourne) – Sky
April 8th – Bahrain (Sakhir) – Channel 4 and Sky
April 15th – China (Shanghai) – Sky
April 29th – Azerbaijan (Baku) – Channel 4 and Sky
May 13th – Spain (Barcelona) – Sky
May 27th – Monaco (Monaco) – Channel 4 and Sky
June 10th – Canada (Montreal) – Sky
June 24th – France (Paul Ricard) – Sky
July 1st – Austria (Red Bull Ring) – Channel 4 and Sky
July 8th – Britain (Silverstone) – Channel 4 and Sky
July 22nd – Germany (Hockenheim) – Sky
July 29th – Hungary (Budapest) – Sky
August 26th – Belgium (Spa) – Channel 4 and Sky
September 2nd – Italy (Monza) – Sky
September 16th – Singapore (Marina Bay) – Channel 4 and Sky
September 30th – Russia (Sochi) – Sky
October 7th – Japan (Suzuka) – Channel 4 and Sky
October 21st – USA (Circuit of the Americas) – Channel 4 and Sky
October 28th – Mexico (Mexico City) – Sky
November 11th – Brazil (Interlagos) – Sky
November 25th – Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina) – Channel 4 and Sky

The return of the French Grand Prix will air exclusively live on Sky Sports F1, whether it will go up against England versus Panama is something that should be confirmed one way or the other in forthcoming weeks.

Channel 4’s Head of F1, Stephen Lyle said: “We’re set for another compelling, action packed season and viewers can follow the whole story on C4, All4 and @C4F1. Once again the most iconic races are available Live and free to air as well as the season finale, with all fans hoping this one goes right to the wire.”

Sky’s new Head of F1, Scott Young said: “There is huge anticipation this year; can Hamilton create even more history, how will Ferrari and Red Bull close the gap, where will the young drivers emerge in the reckoning? Each season we look to find new ways to improve the coverage and entertain our viewers and this year will be no different.”

There are no significant pieces of news other than the schedule to come out of either side, other than Sky referencing Formula Two, GP3 and The F1 Report as usual. Channel 4’s press release confirms that they will continue to offer their live races advert free from lights out to chequered flag.

Sky’s line-up appears to be broadly the same as previous years. Although not mentioned, expect Simon Lazenby to return as presenter alongside the likes of Martin Brundle, David Croft, Ted Kravitz and Anthony Davidson. Earlier suggestions of Johnny Herbert leaving Sky appear to have not come to fruition.

Over on Channel 4, Steve Jones continues to anchor the team, with David Coulthard, Mark Webber, Suzi Wolff and Eddie Jordan providing analysis. Ben Edwards will again lead the commentary team, whilst Lee McKenzie will rove the pit lane at most races.

Compared with my predictions post, 13 out of the 21 races were correctly predicted. The stretch from Azerbaijan through to Germany was spot on, eight races in a row, as was the final hurdle from USA onwards, four races in a row! Even I admitted writing the post that the idea of Channel 4 picking Australia was “highly unlikely”, but went for it anyway.

What it does mean that the Australian Grand Prix last aired live on free-to-air television in the UK in 2011, a shame in my view and one reason Formula 1’s viewing figures have struggled off the line in recent years. In any event, we can safely say that unless anything changes, 2018 will be the final year every race, excluding Britain, airs live, free-to-air in the UK.

Scheduling: The 2018 Santiago E-Prix / Race of Champions

The Formula E season moves to South America and its first visit to Chile for the Santiago E-Prix!

For UK viewers, the championship gets the short straw. The race is not live on Channel 5, largely because it would rate significantly lower than their usual line-up, meaning live coverage airs on 5Spike.

Surprisingly, Channel 5 are not airing delayed highlights either, so the only opportunity for viewers to watch the Chile round in a timely fashion is through 5Spike or Eurosport 2. Formula E moves from Eurosport’s main channel due to live snooker from Germany. So next weekend will be a low rating one for Formula E, more so than usual.

Elsewhere, Sky Sports F1 have secured the Race of Champions event for the third time running (following 2015 and 2017). Although unconfirmed, I suspect Channel 4 will again broadcast highlights in mid-March. Andrew Coley and Neil Cole are providing commentary, with David Croft and Jennie Gow reporting from the paddock.

Formula E – Santiago (online via YouTube)
03/02 – 10:55 to 11:55 – Practice 1
03/02 – 13:25 to 14:10 – Practice 2

Formula E – Santiago
03/02 – 14:45 to 16:10 – Qualifying (5Spike)
03/02 – 18:00 to 20:15 (Eurosport 2)
=> 18:00 – Preview
=> 18:15 – Qualifying [tape delay]
=> 19:00 – Race
03/02 – 18:30 to 20:20 – Race (5Spike)

Race of Champions – Riyadh (Sky Sports F1)
02/02 – 17:00 to 20:00 – Race of Champions (also Sky Sports Main Event until 19:30)
03/02 – 13:00 to 16:00 – Nations Cup (also Sky Sports Mix)

The above schedule will be amended if anything changes.

Scheduling: The 2018 Marrakesh E-Prix

After a break for Christmas, the Formula E series returns with race three of the 2017-18 season taking place in Marrakesh.

Channel 5 are airing live coverage of the race, having broadcast the double-header from Hong Kong on tape-delay. The broadcaster appears to complimenting their coverage with an hour-long build-up, the longest since ITV covered the championship. I did wonder if the first half hour was an episode of Formula E’s Street Racers magazine show, but there is no indication that this is the case.

In further good news, Channel 5’s sister channel 5Spike (previously Spike) are airing qualifying live. As in Hong Kong, Vernon Kay will be on hand to present their output, including qualifying, with Jack Nicholls, Dario Franchitti and Bob Varsha providing World Feed commentary.

Eurosport will also air the race live, with qualifying on tape-delay. Expect to see them add their own flavour over the World Feed broadcast, with Tom Gaymor and Mike Conway at the helm.

Formula E – Marrakesh (online via YouTube)
13/01 – 07:55 to 08:55 – Practice 1
13/01 – 10:25 to 11:10 – Practice 2

Formula E – Marrakesh
13/01 – 10:30 to 11:25 – Preview (Channel 5)
13/01 – 11:45 to 13:10 – Qualifying (5Spike)
13/01 – 15:00 to 17:15 (Eurosport)
=> 15:00 – Preview
=> 15:15 – Qualifying [tape delay]
=> 16:00 – Race
13/01 – 15:30 to 17:15 – Race (Channel 5)

If the schedule changes, I will update the above.

Update on January 13th at 11:40 – It looks like Channel 5’s schedule changed late in the day, as the Preview show was actually a Season Preview, and moved to 10:30, extended to an hour in length. So, their live Marrakesh show actually starts at 15:30 UK time.

Sky F1’s Christmas schedule takes shape

Three new review shows will be part of Sky Sports F1’s Christmas festivities in the forthcoming weeks along with two feature length interviews. Following on from their main review which first aired on Sunday 3rd December, the following shows will also air over Christmas:

– The now-regular Journalists Special airs on the F1 channel on Wednesday 13th December from 20:30 to 21:30. Will Buxton, Chris Medland and Jonathan McEvoy are the guests.
– A special in-depth interview will air with 2017 Drivers’ Champion Lewis Hamilton over the festive period. The show, entitled Lewis Hamilton: My 4th World Title, premieres on Christmas Day from 14:00 to 14:30.
– The Sky Sports F1 team gather together for a Sky F1 Christmas Special, which first airs on Christmas Day from 16:00 to 17:00 (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event).

The airings listed are the first linear television airing, but expect the three programmes to turn up on Sky’s On Demand service prior to their linear showing.

Sky are also airing special interviews with Zak Brown and Adrian Newey over the festive period. The two shows receive a linear television première on Boxing Day at 11:00 and 11:35 respectively.

Between now and Christmas, Sky are replaying every race session from 2017 in full, with classic races also airing in a variety of time slots. Formula Two takes pride of place in Sky’s schedules between Christmas and New Year, with races airing daily from 11:00 between the 26th and 30th December.

Elsewhere, BBC Radio 5 Live is host to two specials:

– Jennie Gow hosts a special focusing on the role and future of Grid Girls. The show airs on Thursday 14th December from 20:00
– The one-hour 5 Live F1 Season Review premieres on the radio station on Christmas Eve at 11:00

Further details will be added to this post as they become available.

Updated on Wednesday 20th December.

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.