RTL takeover of Sky approved: What does that mean for Formula 1?

– Is there now movement in the TV situation of Formula 1 in Germany? Actually, TV channel RTL should have already broadcast the Chinese Grand Prix live on free-to-air TV, but because the necessary contracts with the exclusive rights holder Sky were missing, RTL had to cancel the already planned trip.

Read more Bovensiepen Zagato (2026): What the new model from Buchloe costs

Now, however, it could become significantly easier, as the EU Commission in Brussels has approved the takeover of Sky Deutschland by the RTL Group. The purchase can therefore go ahead.

It was already announced last summer that RTL would take over the pay-TV broadcaster for a purchase price of 150 million euros, but the deal still lacked the necessary approval from the European antitrust authorities – which is now available.

For Formula 1 fans in Germany, this could be good news, as it has made cooperation between the two broadcasters significantly easier.

“Our goal is to offer the audience an innovative and compelling local offering across all channels – from independent news to premium entertainment to live sports,” says Stephan Schmitter, CEO of RTL Deutschland.

Hadjar on par: Is the Verstappen myth broken? I Data analysis F1 2026 LIVE

“We want to deliver exciting content for all budgets and fan hearts, putting our viewers at the center of what we do. I am very much looking forward to shaping the future of streaming together with the great teams in Munich and Cologne.”

Read more Before Miami: Film day at Red Bull and Ferrari, several TPC tests

What will happen next with Formula 1 remains to be seen. In recent years, RTL had the opportunity to broadcast a total of seven races on free-to-air TV as part of a content partnership. On other race weekends, at least qualifying or the sprint could be seen in the livestream on RTL+.

With the takeover, it was announced that more live sports would be broadcast on free-to-air TV in the future. For example, significantly more Bundesliga matches will be freely available in the future, and the DFB-Pokal final will also be broadcast by RTL for the first time in 2027/28. Additional Formula 1 races are also conceivable.

“Our aim is that high-quality live sports do not become a pure luxury good,” emphasizes Schmitter.

When asked by Motorsport-Total.com, RTL only states at this time that they have a lot planned and will gradually present this to the fans.

Read more Marc Marquez: That’s why he doesn’t live a celebrity jet-set life despite millions