Local Formula 1 fans were left bitterly disappointed overnight as the national broadcaster failed to air the first two practice sessions of the new Formula 1 season, despite being scheduled to do so.
TVMsport+ - the national broadcaster’s sports channel – was scheduled to air Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2 of the Australian Grand Prix, the first race of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
However, dedicated followers of the sport who stayed up till 2:30am to watch the first practice session of the season were left disappointed: despite being on the TV channel’s schedule on TVM’s website, the practice session was not aired.
It was the same story some hours later: the second free practice session of the grand prix, which was held at 6am local time, was not aired either.
TVMsport+'s schedule, as per the TVM website, showing Free Practice 1 of the Australian Grand Prix set to be aired
In previous seasons, the Formula 1 season was aired by TSN – a network of sports channels offered by all of Malta’s television providers – and was aired in its entirety. However in the run-up to the new season it became apparent that TSN would not be airing the sport anymore, with it moving over to TVMsport+ which is run by the Public Broadcasting Services.
No formal announcement of such was ever made by television providers or by PBS itself.
Local followers were incensed at TVM’s failure to broadcast the sessions, with several saying that they had attempted to get in touch with PBS in the run-up to the start of the season to gain some clarity, but did not receive any replies.
It is unclear whether TVMsports+ will be broadcasting Saturday's important qualifying session, which is scheduled for 7am.
Many have now said that they will have to opt for either an IPTV service or Formula 1’s own live streaming platform F1TV, which costs €49.99 per year.
Questions have been sent to PBS asking why the sessions were not aired despite being in the TV station’s schedule, whether PBS is now the exclusive rights holder of Formula 1 locally, and what the plan is for airing the sport locally going forward.