TV3 extends F1 coverage deal in Spain

Catalan public-service broadcaster TV3 has struck a sublicensing rights deal with Spanish telco Telefónica to show coverage of the Formula One motor racing world championship.

Under the deal, TV3 will show live coverage of the Spanish Grand Prix in Catalunya on May 15. The broadcaster will also show coverage of the other races following a 60-minute delay. TV3 will also show news clips of F1 throughout the season.

Last month, the Mundo Deportivo newspaper said that the F1 championship was set to be without free-to-air coverage in Spain for the first time in 19 years after existing rights-holders TV3 and commercial broadcaster Antena 3 declined to extend their deals which ended after the 2015 season.

Telefónica will exploit its rights via its Movistar Plus pay-television service.