Virgin Media gears up for Formula 1 channel

UK cable operator Virgin Media is adding the new Formula 1 channel from Sky Sports to its line-up. Sky Sports F1 will launch in March as part of Virgin Media’s Sky Sports package.

Pay TV operator BSkyB won rights to the racing series last year in a deal that runs from 2012 to 2018. Its new channel will show every race live, practice and qualifying sessions and various wraparound programming and interactive services giving statistics and information about the races, teams and drivers.

The channel will be added free-of-charge to Virgin Media’s Sky Sports package, sitting alongside Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports 3 and Sky Sports 4.

Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer this new channel right from the off as it’s certain to be an exciting Formula 1 season with a record number of races and six former or current world champions racing for the title.”