BBC TV to broadcast Formula-1 from next year

BBC has announced that they have now secured the television rights to show Formula One in the UK from the 2009 season.

The deal is for a period of five years. The media company did not disclose the financial aspects of the deal.

This means that Formula-1 would be back on BBC after a period of 12 years. They would broadcast the races on the BBC Sport website along with television and radio.

Formula-1 boss Bernie Ecclestone spoke about this new development: “The BBC has some innovative ideas to consolidate and expand our UK fan base.”

He added about ending the deal with ITV: “I think it will be good, a fresh face. I’m not complaining about ITV, I’m not saying they did a bad job or anything like that. But with all the other things they are loaded up with - and who knows they will get some more stuff - maybe it will be a bit more difficult to spend as much time on us. I think the BBC will do that.”

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