Media Release: 23 August 2005
FORMULA ONE(tm) LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON SKY
SKY Television confirmed today that it has signed a deal with Formula One(tm) Management Ltd for the rights to screen
the Formula One(tm) World Championship for the next three years.
SKY's coverage of the Championship, which starts in March 2006, will provide viewers with even more coverage than before
as both the race itself and the qualifying rounds will be shown LIVE. In addition, another key component of SKY's
coverage will be multiple replays including both breakfast and primetime replays.
John Fellet, SKY Television Chief Executive says, "As the home of New Zealand sport, SKY is pleased to be able to bring
motorsport fans coverage of the world's premier motor-sport series, profiling the best teams and the best cars.
Following Formula One(tm) is a strong New Zealand tradition with a special meaning for Kiwis through the continued
involvement of the McLaren Racing Team".
Commenting on the deal Bernie Ecclestone, Chief Executive Officer of Formula One(tm) Management said, "we are delighted
that Formula One(tm) will continue to be broadcast in New Zealand on SKY Television".
SKY already provides extensive coverage of other high profile motor-sports including NASCAR, the Indy Car Series, FIM
Motocross and the World Superbike Championships.
ENDS
About SKY Television
SKY Television (SKY), broadcasting via both UHF and DTH is New Zealand's pre-eminent Pay TV operator, offering a wide
range of sports, movies, music, on-demand and general content across more than 80 channels. SKY's channel line-up
includes 6 sports channels, 5 movie channels, 5 general entertainment channels, 4 documentary channels, 3 news channels,
3 children's channels, as well as other niche channels. (As of June 30 2005, SKY had 619,168 subscribers.)
SKY launched as a three-channel UHF service in 1990, with two further channels added four years later. SKY's UHF signal
reaches more than 83% of the country's 1.5 million households. In December 1998 it launched a digital satellite service,
extending its reach to the whole country. SKY also offers pay-per-view movies, live events and interactive services
including Skybet, the Weather Channel, and games channel Playin' TV.
With the establishment of a new on line DVD rental service and soon, a new set top box incorporating a personal video
recorder, SKY is positioned to bring New Zealand viewers even more entertainment options.
For further information, please visit SKY's web site at www.skytv.co.nz.