Sky to broadcast Formula 1 in HDR

Pay TV operator Sky’s Sky Sports arm is to broadcast the 2022 Formula 1 season in High Dynamic Range (HDR) for the first time.

The new Formula 1 season is here as the sport enters an exciting new era with countless talking points, new rules, new cars, new driver pairings and new rivalries, all available for fans to view in UHD HDR for the first time.

Sky Glass, the streaming TV recently launched by Sky, includes a 4K Ultra HD Quantum Dot screen. The 10-bit HDR screen supports HLG, HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

Jonathan Licht, managing director of Sky Sports said: “We are pleased to bring the 2022 Formula 1 season to life in a way fans won’t have experienced before. The stunning picture quality offered through HDR will make viewing the new Formula 1 season even more exciting and impactful than ever.As the exclusive home of live Formula 1 in the UK and Ireland we will bring Sky customers the drama from every circuit around the world straight into the comfort of their own homes.”

Ian Holmes, director of media rights and content creation at Formula 1 said: “As we enter an exciting new era of Formula 1, it is fantastic that fans will now get to experience the 2022 season, and enjoy Sky Sports’ extensive Formula 1 coverage, in HDR. This is the latest in a long line of innovations in F1’s production that allow us to bring racing to fans in new and engaging ways and we can’t wait to see it in action.”

Separately, Sky Sports has secured an extension to broadcast rights to top-tier rugby union from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.

The agreement with rugby organisation SANZAAR provides viewers with at least 150 fixtures a year headlined by the best club and international matches from the southern hemisphere until 2025, including Home Nations Summer Tours, The Rugby Championship, Super Rugby and domestic competitions in South Africa and New Zealand: The Currie Cup and The National Provincial Championship respectively.

In addition, Sky Sports customers will now be able to view a range of summer tours in 2022 as the UK Home Nations head below the equator.