Formula E confirms Channel 5 switch

Channel 5 has become the new free-to-air rights-holder in the UK for the Formula E electric car-racing world championship, dislodging rival commercial broadcaster ITV.

The rights deal will run for two seasons, form 2016-17 to 2017-18.

Channel 5 will broadcast all Formula E events live, with sister channel Spike to show qualifying sessions.

Channel 5 will also stream live coverage of practice sessions on its official social media accounts.

ITV broadcast the first two seasons of the championship.