Spanish commercial broadcaster Antena 3 has ended long-running speculation over the destination of F1 rights in the country by reaching a contract for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The path appeared open for the company to secure the rights after rival Telecinco stated last week that it was not interested in bidding for the free-to-air and internet contract. The Mediapro agency had terminated La Sexta’s contract to show Formula One last month after the broadcaster was unable to pay a rights fee instalment for the 2012 season due to a downturn in advertising revenues.

F1 had struggled to gain a foothold in the Spanish market before the emergence of Fernando Alonso as one of the sport’s leading drivers. Antena 3 will be hoping for a better season from the two-time world champion, who drives for Ferrari. The broadcaster is reportedly paying Eur40 million per season for the rights – a similar level to previous incumbent La Sexta.

Meanwhile, Sky Deutschland will remain the pay-television home of Formula One in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The broadcaster has signed a one-year extension to its deal to broadcast all 20 races during the 2012 season. It has reportedly paid a reduced rights fee of Eur20 million, with its previous deal estimated at around the Eur30 million mark. RTL will remain as the free-to-air broadcaster of F1 in Germany.

Germany has a strong presence in F1 through Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel, who will be aiming to make it a hat-trick of driver’s world titles in 2012. Mercedes AMG Petronas boasts the talents of legendary seven-time champion Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. Carsten Schmidt, Sky Deutschland’s chief officer of sports, advertising sales and internet, said: “The agreement...is great news for all Sky customers and the many motorsport fans in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Only Sky viewers can experience Formula One in true HD from multiple perspectives, without commercial breaks and with a new production concept.”