After the Herald broke the news that Sky TV is set to lose Formula 1 motorsport rights, a number of fans took to social media to express their hopes that the official F1 app will be released here.
The Herald understands falling audience numbers for F1 races, in part pinned on start times shifting to the early-hours New Zealand time and extensive free highlights on Facebook, meant Sky was unwilling to make a competitive bid to renew rights.
It is not yet known who will pick up the rights but there is an indication of the ballpark cost. In August 2014, Coliseum Sports Media boss Tim Martin told this reporter his company had made a $6 million bid for four years' F1 rights for New Zealand. Coliseum was trumped by Sky. (Two months later, Coliseum, which then held English Premier League and US and European golf rights, would form its short-lived Lightbox Sport joint venture with Spark).
Spark, which recently regained Premier League rights for three years from the 2019/2020 season and the Rugby World Cup 2019, could be in the frame for Formula 1. Its managing director, Simon Moutter, has previously said rugby is not enough; a portfolio of top-flight sports is required for his company to be a serious content contender.
But on Twitter last night, some F1 fans were also hoping Sky's loss of rights could see the official F1 app available here (currently Formula One owner Liberty Media geo-blocks its app to Kiwis - or at least its live race coverage component).