Universal and the FOM sign entertainment deal

The Formula One Management and the Universal music group have signed a deal to start a joint entertainment project named 'F1 Rocks!'. Included in the project will be concerts and television programmes, to be filmed on location of various Formula One Grand Prix events throughout the season.

FOM CEO Bernie Ecclestone said: "I have always said that we are in the entertainment business and this deal marks a new dimension for Formula 1. It is the result of many months of discussions with Lucian (Grainge of Universal) and I am very pleased we are now ready to go. Universal are the biggest players in the music industry and we have high hopes for what we can achieve together."

Lucian Grainge, Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group International commented: "The partnership between the world's most thrilling sport and the world's biggest music company is one of the most exciting entertainment initiatives to be launched anywhere. The combination of music, megastars and motor sport will create a groundbreaking, all-new entertainment spectacular, channeled through the multiple platforms open to our two global brands. I'm very much looking forward to working with Bernie. He had the imagination to see the potential in F1 Rocks from the very beginning, and we want to make it a huge success on a global scale."