Media group AMC Networks has agreed a new Formula 1 rights deal in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but will lose exclusivity as the premium F1 TV Pro version of the series’ OTT platform will launch in 2021.
AMC’s new deal, from 2021 to 2023, with Formula One Management, the commercial rights-holder of the F1 championship, is for all rights across each race weekend as well as races from Formula 2 and Formula 3.
AMC currently has exclusivity in both countries as part of its three-year deal, from 2018 to 2020, struck with the Pragosport agency.
F1TV is currently available in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but only the via the basic-tier F1 TV Access subscription, which does not stream live coverage.
FOM negotiated a similar deal in Russia last month when it extended its agreement with Gazprom Media-owned Match TV, while also announcing the launch of F1 TV Pro in the country.
Michaella Snoeck, head of media rights at F1, said: “We’re delighted to extend our partnership with AMCNI CNE as they continue to provide top quality broadcasting to F1 fans in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where the sport’s popularity continues to rise.
“This extended partnership including the launch of F1 TV Pro, means F1 fans in the region won’t miss a moment of action across a race weekend for the next three seasons, as the sport enters an exciting new era.”
The F1 extension comes a month after AMC acquired live rights to the 2020 and 2021 seasons of the World Tour Car Cup (WTCR) motorsport series in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.