Ziggo Sport is keen to regain the broadcasting rights to Formula 1 in the Netherlands. Managing director Marcel Beerthuizen affirmed that during a Ziggo Sport broadcast. Ziggo lost Formula 1 broadcasting rights to Scandinavian Viaplay last year.

Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT), Viaplay's parent company, struck a deal with Formula 1 in 2021 over the exclusive F1 broadcasting rights in the Netherlands. In doing so, they offered significantly more money for the broadcasting rights than Ziggo could pay, with which Ziggo lost the sport's broadcasting rights after nine years.

The switch was accompanied by controversy. Whereas at Ziggo Formula 1 was still included for free in most subscriptions, at Viaplay fans had to take out a completely new subscription to watch F1. The commentary also received - and still receives - the necessary criticism and, as a streaming service, the picture quality is also somewhat less stable than it was at Ziggo. Viaplay also largely opted for a new presentation team which means iconic figures like Robert Doornbos, Jack Plooij and Olav Mol did not join the new service. They are all still under contract with Ziggo, though.

'We're certainly ambitious'

Viaplay has the broadcasting rights to Formula 1 in the Netherlands at least until 2024. But Ziggo has made no secret of its desire to reclaim the broadcasting rights. Ziggo Sport director Beerthuizen confirmed this again this week in the broadcast in which it was announced that Ziggo Sport will broadcast UEFA football tournaments. When asked what Ziggo's further ambitions are, Beerthuizen referred to Formula 1.

"We are always interested in premium content, that's part of our channel, we want to bring the very best of sport. Sport that is also very popular with people. That's Dutch Eredivisie football but also Formula 1 for example. It's not so easy that you can bring it in just like that. But we're certainly ambitious."