F1 will almost no longer be visible in the clear in Germany

After France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, it is the turn of Germany, another historic bastion of Formula 1, to opt for access to the Grands Prix via a paid portal. 

Present in the paddock since the 1991 season, RTL has decided not to extend its agreement with the commercial rights holder beyond the 2020 financial year. The broadcaster has decided to refocus its activity on football after covering the outbreak of Michael Schumacher then his 7 titles, followed by 4 victories at the world championship of Sebastian Vettel, and the coronation of Nico Rosberg.

A decision which clearly illustrates the shortness of breath from which F1 across the Rhine is suffering. While Germany had no less than 7 drivers in 2011 (Schumacher, Vettel, Rosberg, but also Nico Hulkenberg, Nick Heidfeld, Timo Glock, and Adrian Sutil), there could be none at all in 2021 after the announcement of the non-renewal of Vettel's contract at Ferrari. Unless Mick Schumacher accesses the premier category after a 2nd campaign of Formula 2 much more convincing than the first. 

Its debut would then be visible on Sky Deutschland, which has just concluded an exclusive partnership with Liberty. The agreement, which begins in 2021, still provides for the broadcast of 4 races unencrypted.

This partnership reinforces an access strategy to F1 which is leaning more and more towards paid channels. Choices which can be understood when we know that the large sums paid by the broadcasters contribute to the income of the FOM and therefore ultimately to the good financial health of the premier category. Afterwards, we are also entitled to wonder if this philosophy does not endorse the idea of ​​a niche sport.