Following RTL’s acquisition of Sky Deutschland, the German sports broadcasting landscape is already beginning to change. To showcase the immediate benefits of the newly combined group, RTL has announced a “Super Sports Weekend” for June 6-7, offering viewers a mix of free-to-air television, pay TV, and streaming coverage across multiple major sporting events.
Formula 1 returns to free-to-air television on RTL
One of the most significant developments for motorsport fans is the return of Formula 1 to free-to-air television in Germany. Thanks to the merger, RTL will broadcast the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious races on the Formula 1 calendar, giving German viewers access to the event without requiring a subscription.
In previous years, RTL and Sky had already collaborated through sublicensing agreements that allowed selected races to be shown on free TV. However, no arrangement for the 2026 season had been announced until now. The newly completed merger has accelerated the process and opened the door for renewed Formula 1 coverage on RTL.
Qualifying on Saturday will be broadcast simultaneously from 15:15 on RTL, Nitro, and Sky Sport. On Sunday, attention will shift to the Grand Prix itself. The two broadcasters will share production responsibilities for the pre-race and post-race coverage, with presenters and analysts from both networks appearing together on screen.
The race commentary, however, will remain separate. RTL and Nitro will rely on their long-established Formula 1 team of Kai Ebel, Heiko Wasser, and Christian Danner, while Sky Sport will feature Peter Hardenacke, Sandra Baumgartner, Ralf Schumacher, Sascha Roos, and Timo Glock.
Mercedes and Audi helping drive German interest
This expanded coverage carries particular significance for German audiences because the 2026 Formula 1 season features strong representation from two major German manufacturers.
Mercedes remains one of the championship’s leading forces and has returned to the front of the grid with Andrea Kimi Antonelli spearheading its latest success. At the same time, Audi has entered Formula 1 as a full factory team, launching an ambitious new project that has generated considerable excitement throughout Germany.
Adding further national interest is German driver Nico Hülkenberg, who races for Audi and has become a key figure for local fans as German motorsport enters a new chapter at the highest level of international racing.
The exact number of Formula 1 races that RTL will broadcast free-to-air throughout the 2026 season has not yet been officially confirmed, although reports suggest that around seven Grands Prix could be included. The strategy is designed to increase exposure for the sport while preserving the value of Sky’s subscription offering, ensuring that paying customers continue to receive exclusive content and comprehensive coverage.
Combined with the additional free-to-air exposure, these initiatives are expected to contribute to further audience growth and increased engagement among Formula 1 fans in Germany.
What RTL executives had to say
Inga Leschek, Chief Content Officer of RTL, commented: “With our first joint Super Sports Weekend, we are immediately showing fans what the merger between RTL Deutschland and Sky Deutschland means: more live sport, greater reach, and more opportunities to experience major sporting moments across different platforms. This is a preview of the sports experiences we will create together for Germany in the future.”
Frank Robens, Head of Sport at RTL Deutschland, added: “This Super Sports Weekend is only the beginning. For the first time, we are collaborating in this way on an international sporting event and combining our strengths to deliver a shared television and streaming experience. Our goal is to make live sport attractive to different audiences — on free TV, through streaming services, and with complementary offerings.”
This weekend therefore represents the first concrete step in the new era of cooperation between RTL and Sky. The partnership aims to maximize the value of both broadcasters’ sporting resources while delivering a broader and more accessible viewing experience for sports fans across Germany.
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