Formula 1 is switching channels. In other news, a Fox Sports broadcaster is heading to ESPN, and ESPN has reached a pair of contract extensions.
ESPN Acquires F1
ESPN has acquired rights to Formula 1 racing under a multi-year deal, replacing incumbent broadcaster NBC Sports, it was announced Wednesday. Under the deal, which goes into effect next season, all races will air on ESPN2, ESPN or ABC. Only five races will air on the latter two networks, including Monaco, Canada and the U.S. Grand Prix.
According to Sports Business Daily, the deal does not include over-the-top rights to F1 races, reportedly a “sticking point” for NBC. Prior to NBC acquiring F1 rights starting with the 2013 season, Fox Sports was the circuit’s U.S. broadcast partner. ESPN has not televised the sport since 1997. [ESPN PR 10.4, Sports Business Daily 10.4]
Nolan Moving to ESPN
As expected, Fox Sports broadcaster Katie Nolan has joined ESPN in an as-yet-unspecified role starting October 16. The news was announced Wednesay. Nolan had been with Fox since the launch of Fox Sports 1 in 2013, but had not appeared regularly on the network for much of the year. [ESPN PR 10.4]
ESPN Extends Pair
ESPN also announced Wednesday that it has reached multi-year contract extensions with NFL reporter Josina Anderson and analyst Damien Woody. The pair, both of whom joined ESPN in 2011, will continue in their current roles on the network’s various studio shows. [ESPN PR 10.4]
