NBC Sports & Formula One Agree on Four-Year Exclusive Media Partnership

Related: NBC Sports Network, NBC, sports

NBC Sports Group and Formula One Management, the top international open-wheel racing series promoter, announced a four-year partnership today that begins with the 2013 season and provides NBC Sports Group with exclusive U.S. media rights to all Formula 1™ Grand Prix races, qualifying and practice sessions on all platforms and devices.

NBC Sports Group will televise all 20 F1™ races -- four on NBC and 16 on NBC Sports Network -- as well as qualifying, practice sessions, studio shows and re-airs that amount to more than 100 hours of programming annually. The Grand Prix of Canada in June as well as the final three races of the 2013 season in November will air on NBC, while the remaining 16 races will air on NBC Sports Network.

All 20 F1™races will be live streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra, the NBC Sports Group’s live-stream platform that is available online at NBCSports.com as well as on mobile and tablet apps.

“We are thrilled to add the top international open-wheel racing series to our already-strong motorsports portfolio,” said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “Formula 1 is a perfect fit for the NBC Sports Group as it provides content across three platforms – broadcast, cable and digital – for nine months a year with more than 100 hours of premier programming annually.”

“NBC and its various media assets have a huge profile throughout the United States and I am obviously delighted to have concluded this agreement. I feel that they will promote Formula One to a level not seen before in the United States,” said Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One Group™ CEO. “I very much look forward to working with NBC. Together, we will endeavour to broaden the scope of Formula One coverage available to U.S. viewers incorporating additional digital content in particular that has not been available before.”

The 2013 F1™ Grand Prix schedule includes 20 races in 19 countries from March through November, including the Austin, Texas, race on Sunday, November 17 on NBC. The 2013 season begins on Sunday, March 17 in Australia on NBC Sports Network and concludes on Sunday, Nov. 24 in Brazil on NBC. NBC’s first race will be the Grand Prix of Canada, which will be broadcast on Sunday, June 9. The famed Grand Prix of Monaco is scheduled for Sunday, May 26, on NBC Sports Network.

Additional programming and scheduling information, as well as on-air commentators, will be announced at a later date.

2013 FORMULA 1™ SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE; TIMES TBA)

Sunday, March 17

Australia

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, March 24

Malaysia

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, April 14

China

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, April 21

Bahrain

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, May 12

Spain (Barcelona)

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, May 26

Monaco

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, June 9

Canada

NBC

Sunday, June 16

TBD

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, June 30

United Kingdom

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, July 14

Germany

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, July 28

Hungary

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, Aug. 25

Belgium

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, Sept. 8

Italy

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, Sept. 22

Singapore

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, Oct. 6

Korea

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, Oct. 13

Japan

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, Oct. 27

India

NBC Sports Network

Sunday, Nov. 3

Abu Dhabi

NBC

Sunday, Nov. 17

USA (Austin)

NBC

Sunday, Nov. 24

Brazil

NBC

*All races will be live streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra, the NBC Sports Group’s live-stream platform that is available online at NBCSports.com as well as on mobile and tablet apps.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP’S MOTORSPORTS COVERAGE

NBC Sports Group is one of the leading media companies for motorsports coverage in the U.S., providing more than 200 hours of programming annually across its broadcast, cable and digital platforms. Since 2009, NBC Sports Network has been the cable-television partner for the IZOD IndyCar Series, presenting as many as 10 races each year as well as qualifying, practice, Indy Lights and IndyCar 36 programming. Beginning in 2013, NBC Sports Group will be the exclusive U.S. media rights holder to all Formula 1™ Grand Prix races, qualifying and practice sessions on all platforms and devices. Races will air on NBC and NBC Sports Network, and will be live streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra. NBC Sports Group also airs Lucas Oil Motorsports, RacerTV, and motocross events.