Following Channel 4’s departure as UK and Ireland’s Formula E broadcaster at the conclusion of season nine, it’s officially been announced that TNT Sports are taking their place after signing a multi-year deal.
The major announcement was made by Formula E on Thursday morning, with all 17 races in the sport’s biggest calendar ever to be aired live on TNT Sports, whilst Discovery+ will offer live and on-demand streaming. Discovery+ will offer viewers uninterrupted coverage of every race in season 10, whilst TNT Sports will offer extensive editorial coverage.
It should be noted that TNT Sports isn’t available via Discovery+ for viewers in Ireland.
Formula E moving to TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland means the series will be on the same broadcaster as the likes of the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UFC, MotoGP, NBA, WWE and many more.
TNT Sports’ Formula E coverage will begin with the season 10 opener in Mexico City, which takes place next month on January 13. A new presenting and punditry line-up has also been devised, with Vernon Kay having been replaced by retired footballer Jermaine Jenas. Jenas will become the sport’s new lead presenter, alongside co-presenters Nicki Shields and Radzi Chinyanganya.
Alongside the trio, Tom Brooks is now Formula E’s official commentator for season 10, having done an excellent job commentating the final four races of season nine in Rome and London. Ex-Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok and four-time IndyCar Champion Dario Franchitti are also returning.
Also in the new punditry line-up are five current or former racing drivers, with ex-Formula E driver André Lotterer joining the expert line-up, as is rally driver Catie Munnings. Indy NXT driver and former W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick is also going to be involved in the season 10 punditry, as is the inspirational Billy Monger. Ex-F1 driver David Coulthard will also be joining them.
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds believes it’s “incredible news” for those in the UK and Ireland, whilst he also praised the championship’s new presenting and punditry line-up.
“This is incredible news for sports fans in the UK who already watch premium live sports on TNT Sports, ” Dodds said. “From next month they will get to enjoy the new thrill of Formula E racing, the most competitive motorsport on TV.
“For existing Formula E fans, we are excited to present TNT Sports as the new home of Formula E in the UK. With experienced professional sportsperson and broadcaster Jermaine Jenas leading our stellar line-up of expert presenters to provide his original perspective for viewers, we cannot wait to get to work in Mexico City.”
Similarly to Dodds, Trojan Paillot, SVP Sports Rights Acquisitions and Syndication, Warner Bros. Discovery Europe, is very pleased to have partnered with Formula E to become the “exclusive” home of the all-electric series, for at least the next couple of years.
“We are pleased to agree a new supercharged partnership with Formula E that will deliver sports fans in the UK and Ireland with exclusive live coverage of every race throughout the season,” said Paillot.
“Not only does this further expand our motorsport portfolio but integrates Formula E as part of the most varied premium sports offer in the UK alongside football, rugby, cricket, boxing and much more to further elevate the profile of the series and to help it to reach an even wider audience.”
It should be noted that TNT Sports isn’t free-to-air, meaning Formula E is moving behind a paywall for the first time in its history. According to Autosport, some round could be shown on free-to-air channels.
