| The BBC has secured the TV rights for the | | | | with - and who knows they will get some more |
| Formula One starting from Season 2009. The deal | | | | stuff - maybe it will be a bit more difficult to |
| is thought to be a five years and has been | | | | spend as much time on us. |
| agreed for a undisclosed free. The BBC lost out | | | | "I think the BBC will do that." |
| on the formula one 12 years ago to ITV and will | | | | Dominic Coles, BBC Sport director of sport rights, |
| be very pleased to have it back. | | | | said: "The biggest motorsporting event in the |
| The contract is not TV exclusive just to the BBC | | | | world is returning home after 12 years. |
| TV channels but also the radio and more | | | | "We were delighted when Bernie Ecclestone |
| interesting the Internet as the Formula one is set | | | | approached us about the return of F1 to the BBC. |
| to be broadcast live online. | | | | "F1 is a crown jewel of sports broadcasting, so to |
| F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said he was | | | | bring the rights back to their traditional home |
| "delighted", adding: "The BBC has some innovative | | | | from 2009 is tremendously exciting. |
| ideas to consolidate and expand our UK fan base." | | | | "Fans will be able to enjoy uninterrupted, state of |
| Among the new developments will be live video | | | | the art and innovative coverage from BBC Sport, |
| coverage of F1 on the BBC Sport website. | | | | across all of our TV, radio and new media |
| Asked why he had decided to split with ITV, | | | | platforms, for the first time since 1996." |
| Ecclestone said: "It's not that we are unhappy | | | | An ITV statement on Thursday said: "ITV plc |
| with ITV but I think maybe they will have their | | | | today confirmed that it has decided to exit |
| hands full with other things and maybe the BBC | | | | Formula One at the end of this season. |
| can service us a bit better. | | | | "This was a straightforward commercial decision |
| "I think they will be able to service us an awful lot | | | | for ITV and we are pleased that F1 will continue |
| better, a little bit more time. | | | | to be broadcast free-to-air. |
| "I think it will be good, a fresh face. I'm not | | | | "ITV will continue to broadcast live coverage of |
| complaining about ITV, I'm not saying they did a | | | | every race this season as Lewis Hamilton |
| bad job or anything like that. | | | | attempts to win his first world championship. |
| "But with all the other things they are loaded up | | | | |