NOVEMBER 16, 2001

Kirch and Liberty Media

THE talks currently taking place between Kirch Pay-TV and the American group Liberty should not have any dramatic effect on Formula 1 unless the acquisition by Liberty of shares in the struggling business could lead to F1 pay-per-view on television in the United States.

Kirch's involvement in SLEC, the Formula One holding company, is via a completely different company. Kirch TV currently pays Formula One for the right to receive the F1 digital feed although that deal is believed to be up for renewal as it has been running for five years - without much success for Kirch.

An expansion of Kirch activity in the United States would, of course, be a bonus for F1 fans in the States - even if they may have to pay through the nose to watch the racing.

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