Channel 4's multi-year deal to broadcast live coverage of Formula E in the UK has come to an end after just two seasons. The search is now on for a new broadcaster and in turn a new lead presenter.
Former England footballer and experienced broadcaster, Jermaine Jenas, has emerged as a surprise candidate to host the coverage.
Vernon Kay, the previous lead presenter of the motorsport series during its time on Channel 4, left last year after the Monaco E-Prix to replace Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2. This departure has left a significant gap in the Formula E coverage team, prompting the search for a new lead presenter.
According to The Race, discussions have been held with ITV over a potential deal that could see the sport broadcast on free-to-view channels. Pay-TV brand TNT Sports, formerly known as BT Sport, is also being considered as a potential broadcast partner.
Jenas making a name for himself in football punditry space
Jermaine Jenas, best known for his time with Premier League clubs Newcastle and Tottenham, has become a household name for his broadcasting work since retiring from football. He has been a regular pundit on Match of the Day and has even been suggested as a potential future successor to Gary Lineker as the programme's host.
Jenas has also found success away from sports presenting as a host of The One Show.
Despite the recent cancellation of MOTDx, a spin-off version of the Match of the Day aimed at a younger audience, Jenas' broadcasting career continues to flourish.
Majority of Formula E content hosted on Channel 4 online platforms
The main challenge Formula E faces is its lack of exposure in the UK in recent years. Despite previous TV deals with the BBC, ITV, and Channel 5, the sport has struggled to find consistent places on these broadcasters' main channels.
Last season, some races were shown on Channel 4 TV, but many were limited to live streams on the broadcaster's YouTube channels. Finding a broadcast partner that can provide the all-electric championship with more airtime on mainstream channels would significantly boost viewer interest in the sport.
Pre and post-race programming will be handled by Whisper Films, a company co-founded by ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard and former F1 anchor Jake Humphrey. Whisper Films is also responsible for Channel 4's coverage of F1, further solidifying its place in the motorsport broadcasting landscape.
The potential shift in Formula E's UK coverage, with Jermaine Jenas as a possible new face and a new broadcast partner on the horizon, could mark a significant turning point for the sport's exposure and popularity in the UK.
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