Jermaine Jenas makes promise to Formula E fans as 'massive' UK TV deal struck
Jermaine Jenas promised Formula E fans in the UK more consistency after the racing series signed with TNT Sports.
FE ended its deal with Channel 4, while ITV made a case to win the rights, but TNT won the battle to broadcast the 2024 season. It does mean however that, for the first time, the all-electric series will be behind a paywall - much to the chagrin of some fans.
But new host Jenas insists it will be a better offering for fans. Last year, not all races were shown on TV channels with the sport often just restricted to a YouTube live stream which made it less accessible for some viewers.
This is the strength TNT's "massive" offering will bring, says Jenas. "It's absolutely huge, the consistency that TNT Sports is going to bring to the table - 17 races across the season," he told Mirror Sport in a sit-down interview.
"It's a place for fans to go to watch a live race, when they know the race is on. We'll obviously be across digital as well to give that behind-the-scenes content and the access-all-areas type of stuff that fans are going to want.
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"But there's no doubt that TNT Sports is committing to FE and delivering a product week in, week out when the races are on. It's going to be great for fans just to know, 'Bosh, there it is, we’re watching that this week'. It's a big step in the right direction and good news for fans.
"I've been in certain situations in other shows that I've done before and when it's on digital it's great, but the most consistent question that gets asked when you're enticed into something on a digital platform is, 'Where can I watch it? Where is it going to be? When is it on?'
"This is going to be the consistency that TNT Sports brings to the table. You'll know exactly when the race is starting, you'll be with us throughout the whole season and I'm hoping it's something that the fans are going to love."
New Formula E presenter Jermaine Jenas (TNT Sports)
Jenas is joined by a host of familiar faces (TNT Sports)There has been a lukewarm response to Jenas' hiring, and the former footballer is the first to admit he is no Formula E expert. But he will be surrounded by veterans of the sport's coverage such as co-host Nicki Shields and a team of analysts such as Karun Chandhok, David Coulthard and Dario Franchitti and plans to make the most of their expertise.
He added: "Nicki has been doing it for years. I've seen Nicki work and she's amazing at what she does. Naturally, she's somebody that I'll lean on. From watching F1 it's been hard to not see Karun and David doing what they've been doing - though I probably wasn't watching when David was racing!
"But still, seeing how he talks about it on television and the analysis that Karun brings to the table. And in FE there are guys like Saunders [Carmichael-Brown] who know a lot of the drivers and the information. It's a big part of my job to make us a team, bring us together and make us sing from a place that fans enjoy."
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