RTL and Sky plan combined German Formula 1 production

RTL and Sky plan to combine their German Formula 1 production next season, replacing the separate crews and signals used by the two broadcasters, RTL Deutschland chief executive Stephan Schmitter said in a podcast interview reported by Sector on Wednesday.

The change follows RTL’s takeover of Sky Deutschland. Sky holds the German Formula 1 rights and broadcasts every Grand Prix, while RTL carries selected races free-to-air through a sublicensing arrangement.

The broadcasters became one company on June 1, while retaining separate Formula 1 production teams for this season.

Sky’s current rights agreement runs through 2027, so the combined production is planned for one season before rights are offered again for 2028. Schmitter said similar consolidation would affect the broadcasters’ coverage of the second-tier Bundesliga’s Saturday night game.

RTL is targeting €250 million in annual savings within three years, with around 500 jobs expected to go by the end of 2027. Schmitter did not specify which Formula 1 presenters, commentators or reporters would remain in the combined operation.