Etihad Airways is to offer passengers eight live inflight television channels which will broadcast live news and sport, including this weekend’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The new live channels are BBC World News, BBC Arabic, euronews and Sport 24, which will be available from 1 November 2013. CNBC, Japan’s NHK World Premium, and CNN, will be introduced during November; and Sky News Arabia will follow in the coming months.

The highlight of the sports coverage are the final three races of the Formula 1 season with the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix held this Sunday, 3 November, at Yas Marina Circuit, as well as the US Grand Prix on Sunday, 17 November, and the Brazil Grand Prix on Sunday, 24 November 2013.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said, “We are delighted to broadcast this weekend’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on many of our aircraft, ensuring that passengers who are flying on race day won’t miss any of the action from Yas Marina Circuit.”

In addition to the Formula 1, passengers can also watch a wealth of live top sporting action this November including the ATP World Tour Finals, English Premier League and German Bundesliga matches, and Euroleague Basketball.

The major sports coverage continues in 2014 and includes the Australian Open, French Open and US Open tennis championships, the Winter Olympics, the Masters from Augusta and Ryder Cup golf, and the FIFA World Cup from Brazil.

Mr Baumgartner added, “Inflight entertainment is a key part of the guest travel experience and the introduction of the eight live channels, from brands such as Sky News Arabia, CNN and the BBC, as well as top global action on Sport 24, will be a fantastic addition to Etihad Airways’ flights.”

All eight news and sport channels will be available on 21 Etihad Airways widebody aircraft by 7 November, which will increase to 37 widebody aircraft by the end of 2014.

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