SiriusXM: “Our F1 coverage will extend beyond the 2018 season”

By Ryan Werner | Recently Formula 1 announced that they signed a multi-year broadcasting agreement with SiriusXM, the popular satellite radio, and a representative of the company agreed to answer a few of our questions just before the Grand Prix in Mexico.

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For how many years is this partnership projected to begin with?

This is a multi-year agreement. While we haven’t revealed the terms we can tell you our coverage will extend beyond the 2018 Formula 1 season.

Many fans don’t know that SiriusXM is owned by Liberty Media, who acquired Formula 1 recently. That being said, would you consider this a strategic partnership or taking advantage of the corporation’s resources?

This is an arm’s length agreement that benefits both parties and was not driven by anything other than servicing our respective consumer bases and driving our respective businesses. Furthermore, this is not the first time SiriusXM has carried Formula 1 races.

BBC Radio’s broadcasts are outstanding and we will continue to carry their broadcasts for all the action on the track.

As of now, it has been clear that your satellite radio will use BBC Radio 5 feed with their commentators. Will you look into generating unique content and hire your own motorsports sportscasters in a near future?

BBC Radio’s broadcasts are outstanding and we will continue to carry their broadcasts for all the action on the track. While there are no plans in place to add additional Formula 1 content to our lineup this season, we won’t rule out doing that in the future.

Why now and why not waiting for the beginning of next season to start with a full calendar?

The deal was done with several races remaining this season, so why wait? This is compelling content that we are eager to deliver to our subscribers across the United States, and we were pleased to start the coverage with last weekend’s US Grand Prix.

Will you include practices as well or will the coverage start with qualifying? 

Our coverage will always feature the race itself, and if we are able to carry qualifying as well, we will do so.