Whisper, the UK-based sports production firm, has been hired by electric vehicle racing series Formula E to deliver live race coverage and programming for the 2024 season.
The new partnership will see Whisper produce English-language programming, including pre-and-post-race shows and live race content throughout Season 10 of the competition, starting with the season-opening race in Mexico City on January 13, 2024.
The upcoming season will include races on the streets of Tokyo, Japan, and Shanghai, China, for the first time, while the series will return to Diriyah (Saudi Arabia), Hyderabad (India), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Berlin (Germany), Portland (the US), London (UK), and a location in Italy that is yet to be announced.
Aarti Dabas, chief media officer of Formula E, said: “We are excited to work with Whisper who will bring to Formula E its impressive, proven credentials for creating compelling sports and entertainment broadcast content.
“Formula E is the most competitive motorsport world championship with unrivaled racing action, big personalities in the paddock, and genuine storylines that will capture the imagination of new and current audiences.”
Content will include an hour-long build-up show before each of the 16 live races focusing on driver stories, insights, and analysis of the title race. Formula E is looking to capitalize on last year’s highest-ever cumulative live audience, with an increase of 4% to 225 million compared to season eight.
Whisper will also produce a revamped access-all-areas show the night before every race weekend based around the Free Practice One session – the first time drivers take to the track – in a magazine-style format.
Additionally, the company will produce enhanced coverage of the Free Practice Two and Three sessions, and the live qualifying session.
Aurora Media Worldwide, the media rights agency, is the host broadcaster for the series, while Gravity Media, the UK-based live broadcast facilities provider, provides production facilities.
Sunil Patel, chief executive and co-founder of Whisper, said: “Our intention for the Formula E coverage is to deliver ‘Entertainment Electrified.’
“We have an exciting and updated talent lineup, as well as ambitious coverage plans, as we seek to redefine the coverage with the inspiring Formula E team. This project will draw on our creative storytelling skills and our absolute passion for motorsport.”
The new contract adds to Whisper's growing portfolio, which includes producing all West Indies and New Zealand international cricket, as well as peak-time highlights of England matches for the BBC, including this year’s Ashes.
The company has also produced the host broadcast for some of the biggest boxing matches, including Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois, as well as Jake Paul and Tommy Fury.
Whisper also holds the contract to produce coverage of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games for Channel 4, the UK rightsholder, in a deal struck last year.
In addition, the company produces broadcast coverage of the action from motor racing’s prestigious Formula 1, as well as top-tier international cricket and rugby, while in January it struck a two-year deal with the UK’s Wimbledon tennis championships.
