Movistar Plus extends F1 rights deal

Movistar Plus, the pay-television platform of Spanish telco Telefónica, has renewed rights in the country for the Formula One motor-racing world championship, according to news service El Español.

The extension will cover three seasons, from 2018 to 2020.

The deal, reached with the series’ operator, Liberty Media, will be confirmed in the coming days following 10 months of negotiations.

Financial details were not disclosed, but the platform was keen to negotiate a lower rights fee than the one struck for the previous cycle, the report added.

Movistar Plus will continue to offer the coverage on a dedicated channel that is part of its Movistar Plus Motor package, which also offers coverage of the MotoGP motorcycle-racing world championship. The Movistar Plus Motor package was launched in 2014.

The MotoGP rights deal will expire at the end of the 2018 season.

The most popular F1 driver in Spain is two-time world champion Fernando Alonso (pictured), who represents McLaren-Renault.