Formula E Turns to TNT as Free-to-Air Struggles Continues

11 months ago By Sports Desk

After ten years of trying their luck with free-to-air networks, the fully electric Formula E turned to TNT Sports for a multimillion-dollar deal.

Additionally, free-to-air (FTA) refers to broadcasters and channels that offer material that does not require a subscription, even if the viewer or listener receives it from a different carrier (such as satellite, cable television, or the Internet) that charges a fee.

TNT Sports: In the UK and Ireland, TNT Sports (previously BT Sport) is a collection of paid sports channels on television. Launched on August 1, 2013, they are owned by Warner Bros., Discovery Sports Europe, and BT Group.

The premier electric vehicle racing competition, Formula E, is one of the most prestigious motorsports competitions all around the world and is applauded and enjoyed by many fans.

For many years, Formula E tried to get a foothold on free-to-air networks. From IT Channel 5 to the BBC and finally to Channel 4, Formula E miserably struggled to stay on FTA networks. Now, after battling for its place on free-to-air, the series has finally switched to TNT Sports for its next phase.

Next season, TNT Sports will be the only channel to broadcast live coverage of all 17 races. Discovery+ will stream live and on-demand content, but not in Ireland.

The all-electric series had previously been accessible on free-to-air (FTA) TV in the UK, but Channel 4 chose not to extend its most recent two-year agreement.

Formula E said last month that Whisper, taking over from North One Television, will handle all live race coverage and content in the English language.

This will feature a brand-new, one-hour build-up presentation before each live race, as well as a redesigned, more casual, magazine-style broadcast the evening before each race weekend.

Starting next season, all 17 races of Formula E will exclusively air live on TNT Sports, as well as with live and on-demand streaming on Discovery+ will be the Over the top or OTT platform where the Formula Electric races are gonna be shown.
It means it will be the first time Formula E will broadcast behind a paywall.

The live coverage will be hosted by former Premier League footballer and BBC One Show presenter Jermaine Jenas, with commentators Tom Brooks, Karun Chandhok, Dario Franchitti, and reporter Nicki Shields.

This multiyear deal with TNT Sports comes after the 2023 season being Formula E’s most-watched season, with numbers exceeding 225 million viewers, a 4.5% increase from the previous year.