Formula E has announced that its 2018-2019 races, in Season 5 of the all electric series will air on the BBC and has struck up a free-to-air deal for the UK's biggest channel. Along side the BBC, it will also be streamed on YouTube.
It makes me, start to worry for Formula 1.
So, only yesterday Formula E announced every race of formula E next year will feature on the BBC- this is amazing. For sure, this will be the first time I will watch a full season. I have never, watched full season- but I shall now. Anyway, the key part for formula E, is they are still establishing themselves and very much still a new series.
Formula E is still, only, believe it or not, five years old- it amazes me. They are doing everything right, to gain attention, to gain new fans and attract a young generation. YouTube- they are heading to the perfect place. Yes, I am gutted they wouldn't be taking on people like F1 Word, WTF1, AlexZAfRo, F1 Reviews and many more. But, KSI, he is a very big Youtuber, who has fans, who will watch anything he features in. The fact, they will stream Formula E on the platform, which is constantly gaining traction and becoming more and more mainstream and a form of mainstream media.
But why, why is this so bad for F1?
Well, formula one head behind the paywall- bar highlights, which will be on Channel 4 and also they will have the British Grand Prix too. But, this means, realistically, it is harder to gather and attract new fans.
SkySport, is expensive. It is £20 a month, that £240 a year. To be fair to formula one, F1TV is only £20 per year- but it does not offer races to the UK. So SkySports from next year is the only place to see formula 1 live in the UK. Formula 1, for some people will be almost unattainable because, the cost is stupidly high.
Whereas, Formula E, it goes straight on BBC1 when the races are on- the views will be high trust me, when it starts. I will happily go to BARB and look at the stats for you. Formula E, will gain a high amount of traction from this deal.
This, honestly could be a massive problem for formula 1. Because Sky will get no where near the viewing figures that the BBC will get with formula E on. It makes me, start to worry for formula 1.
If F1 does not come from behind the pay wall. Soon. It could cause a bigger decline, that it is already in. Formula E, has well and truly shown f1 how it should be done. How the races should be watched- they seem up to date and know what it happening.
While F1 enters betting- which ruins lives. FE will go free-to-air and gain more and more fans. Formula E has properly pooped on Formula One.
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