Channel 4 has announced that UK-based sports production company Whisper will continue producing its Formula 1 coverage through until 2026.
The announcement comes after British free-to-air broadcaster Channel 4 agreed a deal with Sky to retain Formula 1 coverage until 2026.
The broadcast agreement will see live coverage of the British GP, qualifying and practice rounds shown free-to-air on Channel 4 as well as highlights of all other Formula 1 races throughout the season.
Channel 4’s latest extension with Whisper sees the two organisations extend a relationship which began in 2016 when the broadcaster first started covering Formula 1.
Channel 4’s Head of Sport, Pete Andrews, said, “Whisper’s production of our Formula 1 content has been fantastic. They are always striving to improve and deliver the best possible coverage for our audiences and that really came through in a very tough tender process.
“Their ambition for this year’s coverage is really exciting and I’m really looking forward to working with Whisper’s outstanding on and off-screen talent.”
Channel 4 has announced that in 2024, ‘C4F1 will be relaunched, with new features and additional talent being connected to the show’, as well as ‘an increased focus on sustainability.’ The channel will aim to reduce more than 50% of its carbon footprint compared to 2022.
Sunil Patel, CEO and Co-Founder at Whisper, added, “Whisper’s founders met while producing F1 for the BBC and we have an absolute passion for motorsport and for delivering sport as entertainment. This project brings all those aspects together, a show that delivers the best action and entertainment from F1, with storytelling at its heart. All under the creative and editorial leadership of Tim Hampel and Kirstie Bennett from our Manchester office.
“It’s brilliant also to continue to work with Channel 4 on F1. They are a pioneering partner who give us freedom to develop and evolve. Together we’re committed to reducing emissions while delivering the highest levels of creativity and entertainment for F1 fans in the UK.”
Whisper, that featured on the Agency of the Year shortlist at the FEVO Sport Industry Awards 2023, will continue to deliver two highlight shows during each race weekend, with five live shows across the British Grand Prix weekend in July. All shows will continue to be produced remotely from the UK.
European races will be presented from the Formula 1 paddock, with an on-site present at all Grand Prix races via a number of international partnerships.
FORMULA 1 HIGHLIGHTS REMAIN FREE-TO-AIR
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