L’Equipe retains Formula E rights in France

L’Equipe, the French digital sports broadcaster, has renewed its free-to-air broadcast rights to the Formula E all-electric motor racing series.

The multi-year deal will see L’Equipe continue to show all Formula E races live on its streaming platform, with “the best” races to also be shown on its TV channel.

It covers the upcoming 2021-22 season (actually running entirely this year, from January 28 to August 14), which is the eighth of the series, and will also see in the new Gen3 era of the sport in season nine next year.

The first race of the new season will be held in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

Coverage of each race will comprise a three-and-a-half-hour show with analysis.

L’Equipe acquired the rights in France to Formula E in a one-season deal last year, prior to which rights were held by pay-TV broadcaster Canal Plus.

The series also recently agreed a year-long rights extension with Brazilian free-to-air broadcaster TV Cultura, and late last year it launched a short-form documentary series that is free to watch via its YouTube and Facebook social media accounts.

In addition this month, it’s been announced that Maserati will join the Formula E grid in 2023 and that India looks set to host a race for the first time next year.

Aarti Dabas, chief media officer at Formula E, said: “We are delighted to extend our free-to-air broadcasting agreement with the L'Equipe group for season eight and beyond. Being seen for free in France, such an important market for us, is essential for the development of our sport and for its recognition as one of the strongest brands in world motorsport.

“The FIA Formula E World Championship will enter the Gen3 era in season nine with a new, more powerful, and faster car model. We are proud to start a new chapter in our history alongside the leading French sports media.”

Jerome Saporito, director of the TV division of L’Equipe, added: “We are happy to continue the adventure alongside Formula E after the success of season seven, broadcast for the first time on the L’Equipe channel and on the L’Equipe platform.

"With this completely free-to-air broadcast, Formula E once again benefits from unprecedented exposure and fans will be able to lend their support to [French driver] Jean-Eric Vergne every step of the way.”