Australian free to air television network “Network Ten” have announced a five-year extension of its exclusive Australian broadcast rights to Formula 1. The new agreement commences at the start of the 2011season and extends through to the end of 2015.

The new agreement with Formula One Management will see the network continue it’s live F1 coverage on the digital only ONE HD Sports channel as well as with delayed coverage on TEN.

The Australian Grand Prix race will also be broadcast live simultaneously on TEN as is required under Australia’s anti-siphoning rules.

For the first time the new deal also covers online, mobile and IPTV rights as well.

Network Ten’s general manager – sport, David White, said: “Formula 1 has always had a large,

passionate and loyal following in Australia.”

“With Mark Webber’s two great wins this year, along with the emergence of several exciting new

franchises challenging the ‘old guard’, Formula 1 is attracting a legion of new fans,” Mr White said.

“We are delighted that our extended relationship with Formula One Management will cement

ONE’s place as the home of Formula 1 on Australian television.”

In more good news for local race fans the network has announced that it will once again telecast the World’s premier Sportscar race the Le Mans 24 hours, as well as continuing with it’s coverage of selected NASCAR Sprint Cup events and all of the  Nationwide Series.

For fans of two wheel action, the network will expand it’s coverage of Moto GP including the new Moto 2.

Motorsport has been a strong performer for the new ONE HD network with nine of the station’s top 20 programmes being motorsport based.

Formula One telecasts dominated but other strong performers were the one off specials featuring Marcos Ambrose and his attempts to break into the NASCAR scene and Cameron McConville’s one off Honda F1 drive.

Best of all the decision to bring Le Mans back to Australian TV screens after a 30 year absence seemed to pay off with several sessions ranking in the top ten.