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Dubai’s MBC wins F1 broadcast deal for MENA region

Broadcaster will offer F1 racing free-to-air under the deal which gives MBC five-year exclusive rights

By Sam Bridge
Race winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates on track during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhab. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Race winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates on track during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhab. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Dubai-based MBC Group has acquired the rights to broadcast the FIA Formula One races in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The broadcaster will offer F1 racing free-to-air under the deal which gives MBC five-year exclusive rights to show all 21 races.

The contract began last week with live coverage of the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

“This marks the return of the world’s biggest motorsport event to a free-to-air network in the MENA region, following years of being available on subscription-only networks,” MBC said in a statement.

MBC will air all stages of the tournament, including practice sessions, qualifiers as well as race day.

Ian Holmes, director of media rights, Formula 1, said: “We are delighted to have concluded this agreement and very much look forward to working with MBC Group and exploring the many different opportunities to help grow F1 throughout the region.”

The F1 circuit returns to the Middle East for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2019 from March 29-31. The final event of the season, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019 will take from November 29 to December 1.

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