The missing formula to watch Formula One racing in HiDef has finally been created with Formula One Management’s announcement this week that all broadcasters will receive an original HiDef feed at a data rate of 42 Megabits/second (MPEG-2) of all 20-races, qualifying, and practice coverage this season.
That includes the Speed cable channel, which has carried The FIA Formula One World Championship’s standard definition feed, which has been upconverted since 2008 by parent Fox Networks Group.
The most popular form of auto racing in the world reaches more than 500 million unique viewers globally every year, or roughly the same number of members on Facebook.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with this decision and our ability to bring our rabid F1 fan base coverage of their favorite racing in HD in 2011,” said Speed senior VP of production and network operations Rick Miner. He noted that Speed is also installing continuous fiber service to guarantee the best possible picture quality.
The Formula One season opens March 13 with live coverage of the Bahrain Grand Prix. That race and 15 others will be broadcast live and exclusive to Speed in the U.S., with four races shown on Fox.
— By Scott Hettrick