Formula 1 eyes pay-TV switch for Germany
- Published on 04 May 2017 11:35
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- By: Rob Veenstra
F1's new owners are considering switching coverage of the sport within Germany to a pay-only platform. The free-to-air deal enjoyed by the broadcaster RTL runs out this year, and new F1 commercial chief Sean Bratches was quoted by DPA news agency as admitting that pay TV is "where the money is".
But he added: "There are markets where the penetration of pay TV is low compared to free TV. This is especially true for Germany compared to the UK, where there are significantly more customers for pay TV. This makes it a bit more difficult, but we're working on it," Bratches said.
RTL has already said that it is seeking a new contract for 2018 and beyond. (GMM)
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Replies (5)
Login to replyWolfgang
Posts: 313
Pay-TV sucks. No matter how good the coverage is.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Thats a mistake, and is quite contrary to what Liberty supposedle were aiming at. Pay TV means you will make it more exclusive, less available.
Wolfgang
Posts: 313
exactly. i think they smell german money. like those us departments demanding more than 1bn dollar because of some diesels.. Of course this was wrong from VW but keeping in mind GM paid 180mn dollar for their throttle-pedal or ignition-issue with several people being killed because of that failure.
In that context it´s just ridiculous, but never mind, they won´t stop the success of Europe or let´s say middle Europe.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yeah, certainly seems to be the case. Problem is: its a very short term profit, because it means less people will watch it, and so fewer people will be "recruited" to watch it. Speaking long term, decisions like these could very well harm F1. F1-watching here in Sweden is almost nonexistant ever since F1 moved to Viasat. In my family and among my friends, I am literally the only one watching. In my field of studying, only one more guy watches it. For a sport, viewers are vital to make sure it lives on.
JoeGreen84
Posts: 30
TBH it was an inevitable move to make it Pay to View. A annoying and upsetting move but inevitable none the less. They are going to embrace social media and everything online i just hope they dont make it Hilariously expensive like the Moto GP. £179 for a season. You can suck it, and that come from a biker who wants to watch the sport.