From July 11, nothing will really be the same for F1 TV. After announcing last December the end of new subscriptions for non-subscribers, the streaming service is forced to take a further step backwards. In an email sent Monday June 10 to his French subscribers, he announced the withdrawal of “rebroadcasts, summaries and pre- and post-race broadcasts for the entire 2024 season”.
It doesn’t stop there, since “the archives of races from previous seasons” as well as “all broadcasts and documentaries such as Tech Talks, Jolyon Palmers Analysis and F1 Icons” will also be erased.
Live races maintained
The reason is quite simple. Formula 1 justifies this maneuver by “the changes to come […] in order to guarantee compliance with anti-tobacco legislation regarding advertising in France and its territories”. Whether direct or indirect, propaganda or advertising of tobacco products is formally prohibited according to article L3511-3 of the public health code.
An example on the track, that of McLaren. The British team counts British American Tobacco (BAT) as its main partner and places the logo of the Vuse and Velo brands prominently on its single-seaters. The first is none other than an electronic cigarette while the second markets nicotine sachets.
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Faced with the reduction in its offer, F1 TV is adjusting its prices and will now increase to €49.99 for its monthly subscription (compared to €64.99 previously) and €5.99 for its monthly subscription (compared to €7.99).
Despite this, the streaming service will continue to broadcast the races live. On this point, the law does indeed provide flexibility. “The retransmission of motorsport competitions taking place in countries where tobacco advertising is authorized can be provided by television channels”she mentions.
