NO LOCAL channels will be showing this season’s Formula 1 racing, including subscription LTV, as none could afford to purchase the screening rights, it has emerged.
According to an official at the Cyprus Radiotelevision Authority, even though there is a list of events that should by law be shown on terrestrial TV that includes Formula 1, it is currently under reform.
Furthermore, even if it is obligatory to show the event, the authority can’t force the stations to buy the rights.
“The law does apply now, but when it comes to commercial agreements the authority can’t intervene,” the official explained. “They have to pay money to show these events; if there aren’t funds, the channels can’t be forced to buy the rights.” She added: “In essence, the list exists, but it is inactive for two reasons: based on a ministerial order in 2001, the Authority was responsible for preparing a list of events of major significance.”
This list was prepared and included events such as the World Cup, the Olympic Games and Formula 1.
But this was just a ministerial order and not binding, the official explained. Then following a recent amendment, the authority was told to prepare a new list, based on EU regulations.
“The Authority, in cooperation with the European Commission, asked for the criteria on which a public consultation can take place, which will start soon by inviting the views of all interested parties and anyone who wants to voice an opinion on the matter,” she said. She said it was not part of Cyprus’ obligations to the EU to prepare such a list. The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) had the Formula 1 screening rights from 1995 to 1998, which were then purchased by ANT1 in 1999. The CyBC took over again in 2006 until 2008, before handing the rights over to subscription channel LTV.
A spokesman for LTV’s sports department yesterday told the Cyprus Mail that the channel simply couldn’t afford to renew its contract with Formula 1.
“The three-year contract ran out,” he explained. “It was negotiable for all channels, but you understand the current economic circumstances led to no one being able to respond to the demands.”
He said Cypriots may get to see a few races if Formula 1 offers cheaper prices halfway through the championship.
“The only hope for Cypriots to watch it in Cyprus is if after a few races the price goes down and someone is able to buy the rights,” he explained. Unconfirmed reports claim it could cost up to a €1 million to purchase the Formula 1 screening rights.
And with the championship, which started on Sunday with the Australian Grand Prix, not being shown on local terrestrial and subscription television, it seems Cypriots’ only hope of watching it is by checking online options.
The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation’s (CyBC) sports department yesterday confirmed it hadn’t purchased the rights “due to lack of funds”, as did the other main channels, MEGA, ANT1 and Sigma.
An operator for subscription network Primetel said: “Until this moment, Primetel hasn’t made any agreement with Formula 1. If there are any developments, they will be announced publicly.”
