Formula 1 - The F1 Show - MidWeek Report Austria - 720p - MP4 - [[OptimusPr1me]]

The F1 Show is a television programme on Sky Sports F1, especially created for Sky's Formula One coverage. The weekly programme began airing on 9 March 2012, with repeats aired throughout the weekend on Sky Sports F1. The magazine show, hosted by Ted Kravitz and Natalie Pinkham (Georgie Thompson in season 1), is shot on location at race weekends, covering the latest race action and major talking points throughout the season.

The BBC initially had exclusive UK rights from 2009 until the end of the 2013 season, having regained the rights from ITV. However, because of the licence fee freeze and resultant review of cost constraints, it was believed that BBC were to leave F1 after the 2011 season.

A new broadcast rights deal was announced on 29 July 2011, stating that Sky Sports would cover all races live, (half of which would be exclusively live). Both Sky and BBC Sport would cover the remaining races live including the British Grand Prix. It also allowed the BBC to show highlights of all races, (including the other races that the BBC did not have live rights to cover). BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will continue to broadcast live commentary of the whole season, including practice, qualifying and the races.

Prior to the launch of the channel, there was some controversy about switching Formula One coverage at least in part to pay television, as the BBC brought Sky into the discussions a few days before the deal was announced, despite reported interest from Channel 4. However, since its launch, similar channels have launched in Germany and Italy (to name but two) and had seen further moves towards a pay TV/free-to-air coverage mix by FOM (the Formula 1 rights holder).

In November 2011, Sky announced the new dedicated F1 channel would launch in March 2012, and will air all F1 races with coverage of practice sessions, qualifying and the race, live and commercial free.