BBC and Sky Sports to share F1 coverage

The BBC and Sky have signed a new agreement to secure F1 broadcasting from 2012-2018.

Under the terms of the new agreement, Sky Sports will broadcast every single practice session, qualifying and race live, with the BBC getting rights to broadcast half the races, including the British GP, Monaco GP and the final race of the season.

BBC Radio 5 will still broadcast every race on the F1 calendar, while highlights of Sky Sports-covered races will appear on BBC television, online and mobile. Both will broadcast in high-definition.

It is the first time the entire season of F1 races have not been available live on free-to-air television.

Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Formula One will remain on the BBC.

"With this new deal not only have we delivered significant savings but we have also ensured that through our live and extended highlights coverage all the action continues to be available to licence fee payers."

Barney Francis, MD of Sky Sports, said: "We will give Formula One the full Sky Sports treatment with a commitment to each race never seen before on UK television."

Jake Humphrey (@jakehumphreyf1) posted his immediate reaction on Twitter: "Feels like the right time to say how proud I am of the whole BBC F1 production team & the programmes we've produced for you guys since '09".

UPDATE: Ben Gallop, the BBC's head of F1, has written a blog on today's announcement here.