TV Asahi on the grid for Formula E rights

Japanese commercial and pay-television broadcaster TV Asahi has acquired rights for motor racing’s new electric car-racing Formula E Championship.

The multi-year deal will include free-to-air and pay-television coverage on TV Asahi’s national channel and its network of regional channels.

The agreement includes live coverage of all races plus practice and qualifying sessions.

TV Asahi agreed the deal directly with series promoter Formula E Holdings, which is operated by the FIA, motorsport’s global governing body.

Japanese team Super Aguri was recently confirmed as one of 10 participants in the inaugural championship, which will start in September 2014.