RAI will give up F1 from 2018

In recent weeks, an indiscretion had emerged according to which Rai would no longer renew the rights for free-to-air F1 starting from 2018. Unfortunately these indiscretions were confirmed in an article in the newspaper "la Repubblica" which reported that the State wants to give up F1, leaving the total green light to Sky which would therefore also monopolize the top automotive competition.
However, all would not be lost as Sky itself with MotoGP has demonstrated that it "cares" about the free TV audience by broadcasting nine races free-to-air and live on the TV8 channel, so it is likely that the same path will be followed for F1.

At the basis of RAI's renunciation there would be the desire to aim for the Champions League (a competition that has always been coveted by all television networks) which will change format from 2018 and which will therefore be more profitable (primarily for Italy which should rightfully have four teams ). The Champions League rights are equivalent to something like 100 million a year and the state TV would be willing to pay as much as 40 million euros to have at least one match free-to-air, leaving Sky the remaining 60 to be paid for the remaining matches. Who would emerge with broken bones from this situation would be Mediaset, which despite the exclusivity of the Champions League in recent years has not managed to maximize earnings and which therefore would dedicate itself only to Serie A, or Berlusconi's company is thinking of aim for F1? Difficult to say, what is certain is that in recent years following F1 is increasingly difficult, and with the sport seeming to be increasingly in crisis this is a truly disappointing scenario for what is defined as "maximum automotive competition".

In fact, the trend is decreasing all over the world, where pay TV cannibalize many sports, including F1. We just have to wait for further news and why not also an official statement from some RAI representative.

Stefano Rifici (@SedyBenoitPeace)