Whisper to produce Channel 4’s Formula 1 coverage until 2026

17 January 2024

• Whisper awarded F1 contract after Channel 4 struck a deal with Sky to keep coverage on free to air until 2026
• Channel 4 to show live coverage of British GP and highlights of all other F1 races until 2026
• Whisper awarded contract after competitive tender process

Channel 4 has announced that Whisper will continue to produce its Formula 1 coverage through until 2026.

The announcement comes after Channel 4 and Sky struck a deal which keeps Formula 1 coverage on free to air television until 2026. The deal with Sky means viewers can enjoy live coverage of the British GP, qualifying and practice rounds on Channel 4 as well as highlights of all other F1 races throughout the season.

The award of the contract to Whisper extends its F1 relationship with Channel 4 which began in 2016 when the broadcaster first started covering the sport.

Channel 4’s Head of Sport, Pete Andrews, said: “Whisper’s production of our F1 content has been fantastic. They are always striving to improve and deliver the best possible coverage for our audiences and that really came through in a very tough tender process.

“Their ambition for this year’s coverage is really exciting and I’m really looking forward to working with Whisper’s outstanding on and off-screen talent.”

Sunil Patel, CEO and Co-Founder, Whisper: “Whisper's founders met while producing F1 for the BBC and we have an absolute passion for motorsport and for delivering sport as entertainment. This project brings all those aspects together, a show that delivers the best action and entertainment from F1, with storytelling at its heart. All under the creative and editorial leadership of Tim Hampel and Kirstie Bennett from our Manchester office.

“It's brilliant also to continue to work with Channel 4 on F1. They are a pioneering partner who give us freedom to develop and evolve. Together we're committed to reducing emissions while delivering the highest levels of creativity and entertainment for F1 fans in the UK.” 

In 2024 C4F1 will be relaunched, with new features and additional talent being connected to the show. Channel 4 and Whisper have ambitious plans for the coverage with an increased focus on sustainability.

In line with F1’s significant sustainability targets, C4F1 is committed to reducing emissions from its C4F1 broadcasts, while maintaining high levels of creativity, insight and entertainment. The 2024 C4F1 shows will see a reduction of more than 50% in carbon footprint, compared to 2022.

Whisper will continue to deliver two highlight shows during each race weekend, with five live shows across the British Grand Prix weekend in July. All shows will continue to be produced remotely from the UK.

In 2024, late-night highlight shows will be presented from an innovative, immersive studio location in the UK, while European races will be presented from the F1 paddock. There will be on-site presence for all races, as we will partner with other international broadcasters.

The opening race of the 2024 season is the Formula 1 Gulf Air Grand Prix on 2nd March.

Whisper and Channel 4 have won awards for its C4F1 highlight show, including Best Sports Entertainment Show at the 2022 Broadcast Awards. Presenter Steve Jones was awarded Best Sports Presenter at the 2019 SJAs and David Coulthard was nominated for Best Pundit at the 2022 Broadcast Sport Awards.

Further updates about plans for the show will follow in the coming weeks.  

 

Notes to editors:

About Channel 4

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The broadcaster’s distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For over 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people.

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In 2020, Channel 4 launched its Future4 strategy to become a digital-first public service media company and to continue to deliver significant impact for UK audiences and investment into the UK creative economy.

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