Antena 3 and TV3 secure Formula One rights extensions

Spanish commercial broadcaster Antena 3 and Catalan public-service broadcaster TV3 have agreed extensions to rights deals for the Formula One motor-racing championship.

The deals will run for two years and cover the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

The two broadcasters have agreed the deals, which include television and mobile rights, with the Mediapro agency. Mediapro in October acquired the rights after its previous five-year contract expired following the end of the 2013 F1 season.

TV3 said the cost of its contract will fall 30 per cent on average over the two years, when compared to the fee it paid for the 2013 season.

The 2014 Formula One season gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16. Barcelona will host the Spanish GP on May 11.