Jun.7 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has inked a television deal for Italy that mirrors the controversial split-broadcasting arrangement in Britain.

For 2012, the F1 chief executive ended free-to-air live coverage of the grand prix weekends within Britain by agreeing a deal with pay-channel Sky.

Free-to-air viewers in Britain can now only watch a limited amount of races live, with the others restricted to delayed highlights packages.

Ecclestone has signed a near-identical arrangement for Italy.

The live broadcasting rights for the entire 2013 calendar have been secured by Italy's pay-channel Sky.

Assuming a 20-race calendar, free-to-air viewers in Italy will see 9 grands prix live, with the other eleven to be shown in the form of a delayed broadcast.

One of the free-to-air live races will be the Italian grand prix at Monza, publications including La Gazzetta dello Sport and Autosprint said.

"We have worked with Sky Italia in the past and I have no doubts about their standards of production," Ecclestone is quoted as saying.

"We have a similar arrangement in England that is working very well, increasing the quality and breadth of coverage and ensuring at the same time that events can be seen for free."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version

F1 News  F1 Schedule  F1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  F1 Tickets  Live F1 Coverage

Full Version: Formula 1 News  Formula 1 Schedule  Formula 1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  Live F1 Coverage  10 'n' Pole  F1 Regulations  The Forums  Motorsport Shop  F1 Merchandise  F1 Tickets  F1 Diecast  F1 Videos  F1 Games