The BBC could lose its Formula 1 radio broadcast rights after more than three decades, with rival broadcaster talkSPORT actively exploring a bid.
The BBC has held the radio rights since 1994. Currently, listeners can tune into BBC Radio 5 Live for live, uninterrupted commentary and expert analysis of Grand Prix weekends, while Sky Sports holds the exclusive TV rights.
talkSPORT, best known for its football coverage, is considering adding F1 to its portfolio. The station's head, Liam Fisher, told The Telegraph: "It's another brilliant set of rights. I wouldn't be doing my job if I wasn't actively exploring whether there's an opportunity."
talkSPORT sees audience potential
Fisher believes F1 would complement the station's existing output. He said: "We think the audience goes quite well with the talkSPORT audience. We think there's an opportunity for us to deliver really good amplification for it as well."
He added: "Football still is our bread and butter, but we've definitely looked to extend it on the basic understanding that, even if football is your first, second, and third sport, you are probably into something else as well. So our strategy has been to pick off the events where we believe there is an audience potential that sits well with what we're providing."
talkSPORT cannot secure the rights until at least 2028, as the BBC's deal runs until the end of next season.
Further sporting losses for BBC
Losing Grand Prix coverage would be another significant blow for the BBC, which has scaled down its sports output in recent years. It recently lost the Boat Race and Commonwealth Games to Channel 4 and TNT Sports respectively. Last month, the corporation cancelled long-running winter sport programme Ski Sunday after nearly 50 years.
The BBC previously axed Football Focus, and there are plans to scrap sport bulletins on its news channels as part of a cost-cutting initiative. Widespread job losses were reported recently, with around 41 sport roles cut and only five new positions opened.
