German broadcaster RTL has extended its deal with FOM which will see practice, qualifying and race coverage free-to-air for a further three years.

The move comes at a time when race fans in the UK, have one more year of free-to-air coverage of all sessions at (ten) selected events, before all live coverage moves to a subscription based model with Sky Sports. At present, it is unclear what is planned in terms of highlights for those without Sky or unwilling to pay for coverage.

Other than a break between 1989 and 1990, RTL has broadcast F1 in Germany since 1984, with peak viewership coming during the heady days of Michael Schumacher.

In a further move, following Niki Lauda's decision to give up his role as pundit, Nico Rosberg and Timo Glock will join RTL's broadcast team.

"Germany is one of the most important countries for Formula 1," said Ian Holmes, FOM's Director of Media Rights, "where motorsport has deep roots, and RTL Television has been a fantastic and loyal partner for many years.

"The extension of the agreement comes as a natural consequence of such a strong and mutually fruitful relationship and will guarantee that our fans in Germany will continue to watch Grands Prix on free TV.

"The agreement is part of our strategy that aims to increase and strengthen television coverage on a worldwide basis, whilst tailoring it to the characteristics of each TV market."

"I'm very pleased that as a free-to-air TV station we were able to secure one of the most attractive sports-rights packages out there in such a bitterly contested market," added Frank Hoffman, Managing Director of Programs at RTL Television 1.

"We now want to take this long-running success story that we share with Formula 1 and make it into an exciting future project. The new owners have now entered into a new and exciting era together with us and all of our experience, know-how and innovative power will be at their side."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Editor, 22/12/2017 8:58

"@ @R1Racing71

"You just need a cheap DVB-S2 receiver, second LNB on your dish and a setup from your local satellite installation expert"

And a knowledge of basic German "

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2. Posted by Red5, 22/12/2017 8:55

"@R1Racing71

You can still can watch F1 on RTL for free via Astra (No HD though). You just need a cheap DVB-S2 receiver, second LNB on your dish and a setup from your local satellite installation expert :)"

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3. Posted by Mad Matt, 20/12/2017 14:09

"Our TV wasn't sophisticated enough to do Ceefac and when we did get one it was an either/or set-up.

Last time I used Ceefax (back in the 90s) I think the TV then cached the pages so you didn't have to wait for the next one to be broadcast.

This year I've watched some of the coverage on La Une/Deux (Belgium). Sadly coverage has gone down hill since they lost Thierry Boutsen but it is free and I refuse to pay Sky......"

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4. Posted by @R1Racing71, 20/12/2017 11:42

"@Chris Balfe (editor), during the cut backs to the studio on Sunday Grandstand, you could actually see the live sports on the monitors in the background they were covering - so it was actually possible to see how the race was unfolding by catching a glimpse over Des' shoulder. That coupled with Ceefax's live lap by lap (which you could view mixed screen) was how us anoraks followed F1 during the "Heyday" of '80s F1.

(Our younger readers may now wish to google Sunday grandstand and Ceefax to see what we are twittering on about. Those who are still awake anyway)"

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5. Posted by Editor, 20/12/2017 10:52

"@ R1Racing71

The name Dave Bryant rang a bell so I Googled it… I wish I hadn't.

That pipe, that walk, that achingly slow pace, that sound.

The horror, the horror."

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6. Posted by @R1Racing71, 20/12/2017 10:18

"Ah now, I lament the days of the old Astra analogue broadcasting that used to be available on the old sky boxes. It was possible in the early nineties to watch RTL via BSB when the BBC either didn't want too or were too preoccupied showing county cricket or Crown Green Bowling from Bournemouth as opposed to F1.

Probably with some justification to be fair, showing Dave Bryant adding to his trophy collection would have been a fair cheaper alternative to the beeb even then. "

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RTL extends free-to-air F1 deal

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