Heavyweight pay-TV network Sky will continue to air the iconic Formula 1 motor racing series until at least 2028 after striking a new three-year rights extension.
The new rights agreement, which starts with the 2026 season, will see Sky air every practice, qualifying, and race session live on its Sky Sport platform and Sky Sport Now streaming service.
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As part of the renewal, the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne will continue to be shown by Sky on its free-to-air (FTA) platforms, while race highlights of all other F1 races will also be offered FTA.
The renewal comes as F1 enjoys increased viewership in the country on the back of homegrown driver Liam Lawson representing the Racing Bulls team.
According to F1, over 1.1 million New Zealand fans have tuned in to watch the series via Sky Sport and FTA Sky Open, while nearly 470,000 viewers have watched on digital platforms Sky Sport Now and Sky Go.
Despite Lawson finishing 17th out of the 20 drivers, the Japanese Grand Prix in April drew the highest engagement so far this season, due to its favourable time zone for New Zealand.
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By GlobalDataAdam Crothers, Sky’s head of content partnerships, said: “Formula 1 has captured the hearts of New Zealanders like never before. The passion, drama, and sheer speed of the sport make it a standout in our lineup.
“With rising stars like Liam Lawson inspiring a new generation of fans, we’re proud to be bringing world-class motorsport to Kiwi screens — live, loud, and at full throttle.”
Ian Holmes, F1’s chief media rights and broadcasting officer, said: “With the advent of Liam Lawson, we continue to see a surge in Kiwi supporters who are tuning in to back their hometown hero.
“Together, Formula 1 and Sky will provide world-class programming and coverage across every race weekend, to ensure fans never miss a moment of the action.”
Sky NZ reclaimed rights in the country to F1 off telecoms company Spark Sports ahead of the 2023 edition after the decision of the then-rightsholder to end its sports streaming service. Before that, Sky NZ had held the rights exclusively until 2019.
The rights add to Sky NZ’s other motorsport rights, including its recently renewed Supercars deal, as well as its coverage of IndyCar and World Superbike.
For F1, meanwhile, the new deal is the latest the series has struck this year as it continues to capitalise on its international appeal.
Most recently, it renewed its agreement in South Korea with streaming service Coupang, while major Brazilian broadcaster Globo will reclaim its exclusive rights from the 2026 season.
Earlier this year, Infront, the heavyweight sports marketing agency, marked its entry into motor racing’s iconic Formula 1 (F1) after securing a rights agreement with two key broadcasters in the Balkans – Arena Sport, the pay-television operator owned by Telecom Serbia, and CME, the broadcasting group in Central and Eastern Europe.
Meanwhile, Belgian telecoms firm Telenet renewed its exclusive coverage of F1 through 2027, while Chinese internet giant Tencent also renewed its rights deal until 2027.
