The German Grand Prix will be broadcast on YouTube
After conducting a trial with the streaming site Twitch, F1 is attempting a new approach: broadcasting a Grand Prix in partnership with YouTube. This will be scheduled for the German Grand Prix, which will take place from October 9 to 11.
A Formula 1 Grand Prix on YouTube? Until now, it was illegal. Formula 1 is trying to attract a new target audience and will therefore test establishing itself directly where its audience is, namely streaming platforms. After conducting a test last season with Twitch, Formula 1 will broadcast a race via YouTube this year. The German Grand Prix has been chosen for the occasion. It will take place at the Nürburgring from October 9 to 11, 2020. The free practice sessions, qualifying, and the race are involved.
France is not concerned.
Caution nonetheless, the broadcast agreement with YouTube only applies to certain European countries. Therefore, you will be able to watch the GP on YouTube if you are in these 7 countries:
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Norway
- Sweden
- Denmark
France is therefore not involved in this broadcast on YouTube to avoid competing with Canal+, which has a business model as a paid broadcaster.
The German Grand Prix has not been held at the Nürburgring circuit since 2013. This is therefore an opportunity to bring together German fans due to Covid measures without welcoming them inside the famous circuit. It usually gathers nearly 300,000 spectators over the race weekend. The broadcast on YouTube in Germany will directly compete with the broadcast on RTL, which can be explained by the German channel’s decision to leave the sport at the end of the year.
F1 only recently embraced YouTube, and the content offered on the official YouTube channel has been boosted by Liberty Media, providing much richer content in recent years, including race summaries and the best radio conversations of drivers during sessions.
“We are delighted to work with YouTube on such an interesting project. It is crucial for us to be present on different digital channels, and YouTube allows us to achieve this goal. YouTube also provides us with a way to reach new audiences and attract a new public, thereby increasing the number of F1 fans worldwide,” explains Adam Crothers, Head of Media and TV Rights.
Tomos Grace, Head of Sports at YouTube Europe, explains in turn that 70% of people on YouTube who watch Formula 1 are under 35 years old. They are the fans of tomorrow. TV content broadcasters recognize our ability to reach new audiences.
