APRIL 24, 2004

ITV does a new F1 TV deal

Bernie Ecclestone has concluded a new five-year deal with Britain's ITV network to continue to televise the Formula 1 World Championship. The deal is believed to be worth around $25m a year to the Formula One Group. There have been rumours in recent weeks about a bidding battle between ITV and BBC but our understanding is that the BBC did not push very hard as it currently has a very large number of expensive TV rights for sports and was willing to let ITV keep its control of F1. It remains to be seen whether or not ITV will keep the same commentator line-up for the new deal.