With the first FIA Formula E Championship concluding this weekend with an ePrix doubleheader from London’s Battersea Park, Fox Sports and Formula E announce their broadcast deal now extends through the 2019-20 season, with races airing live on Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2 and Fox Sports Go.
“With a history-making first season under its belt -- where every race was a successful first race -- we’re thrilled to extend our relationship with Formula E,” David Nathanson, head of business operations for Fox Sports, said in a release. “Worldwide interest continues to grow in a series that delivers great racing alongside aggressive green initiatives and next-generation technology, and Fox Sports is proud to partner with such an effort.”
The new deal, which calls for a minimum of eight races per season, also includes live racing on newly re-branded Fox Sports Racing in Canada and the Caribbean, as well as the possibility of additional Formula E shoulder programming.
“We are delighted that Fox Sports has extended its exclusive agreement to show Formula E live in North America,” Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag said in the release. “Fox remains an important partner for Formula E in this market, where we enjoyed great success with our Miami and Long Beach races this season. This agreement will ensure U.S. viewers receive the very best live coverage, which will allow us to grow our fan base. In addition, Fox Sports has believed in Formula E since the very beginning and we’re very happy that we’ve renewed our long-term partnership just ahead of the final rounds of the inaugural season -- a sign that the confidence they put on us has become even stronger.”
This weekend’s championship-deciding events were slated to air Saturday on Fox Sports 1 and today (June 28) at 10:30 a.m. on FOX Sports 2. Both races were also available on FOX Sports Go. Former NASCAR and Formula One driver Nelson Piquet Jr. was the favorite to win the series’ inaugural title, following a 11-race season highlighted by stops in some of the most influential cities in the world, including Buenos Aires, Miami, Los Angeles, Moscow, Beijing, Berlin and London.
The series currently features two U.S. entries -- Jay Penske’s Dragon Racing and Andretti Formula E, sitting fourth and fifth, respectively in the team standings, heading into this weekend’s final two races.
