F1 still in talks with key broadcaster

Crucial negotiations between Bernie Ecclestone and Germany’s free-to-air F1 broadcaster appear to have advanced.

We have reported recently that, with the German grand prix already gone in 2015, the country’s terrestrial television broadcaster RTL may also be eyeing the F1 exit.

The Hamburger Morgenpost and Kolner Express newspapers claimed talks were underway as RTL pushes for a reduction in its huge annual fee, believed to be about $50 million per year currently.

Writing in Forbes, F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said the RTL deal has traditionally been the sport’s "biggest pay-day" — even more lucrative than any relationship with an actual race host.

"This (RTL relationship) alone has generated $1.4 billion in revenue," Sylt claimed.

It is now rumoured talks between Ecclestone and RTL have advanced in recent days.

A spokesman for RTL told the German sports business publication Sponsors: "The fact is that nothing has been signed. We are still in talks."