ESPN F1 coverage to remain commercial-free

ESPN’s coverage of the 2019 Formula 1 season will once again be commercial-free following a well-received first run of the concept during 2018.

United States viewers saw their F1 coverage switch from NBC Sports to ABC/ESPN ahead of 2018, with a two-year deal being agreed with the sports network. After commercials interrupted the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, resulting in a chopped-up telecast that drew widespread complaints and prompted an apology from ESPN, a partnership with Mothers Polish saw the coverage provided commercial-free during races for the rest of the season.

An ESPN spokesman has now confirmed to RACER that the 2019 coverage will again feature the same uninterrupted coverage presented by Mothers Polish, with the broadcaster sticking with the same approach as last year that saw the Sky Sports commentary feed used.

With this season set to be the final year of the current contract, ESPN stated it is company policy not to comment on ongoing negotiations regarding any possible extension.

Last month, ESPN and ABC reported a year-on-year increase of 2 percent for its F1 race telecast windows in 2018, compared with the NBC Sports figures from the previous year.

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Chris Medland

While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.

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