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Sky Sports F1

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Sky Sports F1
Logo used since 2020
CountryUnited Kingdom
Programming
Picture format2160p UHDTV
(downscaled to 1080i and 16:9 576i for the HDTV and SDTV feeds, respectively. HDR-TV on certain Sky models.)
Ownership
OwnerSky Group (Comcast)
History
Launched9 March 2012; 12 years ago (2012-03-09)
ReplacedSky Living Loves
Links
Websiteskysports.com/f1
Availability
Streaming media
Sky GoWatch live
(UK and Ireland only)
NowWatch live (UK and Ireland only)

Sky Sports F1 is a television channel created exclusively for Sky's UK and Ireland coverage of Formula One, which has subsequently expanded to become home to all of Sky Sports' motorsport coverage, although Formula One remains as the mainstay of the channel with Sky Sports having the rights to show Formula One until 2029.

Background

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The BBC had exclusive UK F1 rights from 2009 until the end of the 2013 season,[1] having regained the rights from ITV. However, a new broadcast rights deal was announced on 29 July 2011, stating that Sky Sports would cover all races live.[2] The BBC continued to broadcast half of the races live including the British Grand Prix and final race. It also allowed the BBC to show highlights of all races.[3][4] In November 2011, Sky announced the new dedicated F1 channel would launch in March 2012,[5] and will air all F1 races with coverage of practice sessions, qualifying and the race, live and commercial-free.[6]

On 21 December 2015, it was announced that the BBC would be ending its broadcast rights three seasons early after the 2015 season with its rights to 10 live races and highlights of all 21 races going to Channel 4. However, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra would continue to broadcast live commentary of the whole season until the 2021 season.[7]

Prior to the launch of the channel, there was some controversy about switching Formula One coverage at least in part to pay television.[8] However, since its launch, similar channels have launched in Germany and Italy in further moves towards a pay TV/free-to-air coverage mix by FOM (the Formula 1 rights holder).[citation needed]

Launch

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The channel launched on 9 March 2012, seven days before the start of the 2012 Formula One season.[citation needed] During 2012, the channel was on air for sixty-three hours during race weeks and thirty-two hours during non-race weeks.[9] Sky Sports F1 announced via Twitter that there would not be a dedicated Sky Sports F1 app, however the F1 section on the Sky Sports News app was enhanced.[10]

Sky Sports F1 launched with a two-hour special of The F1 Show, presented by Simon Lazenby, Martin Brundle and Damon Hill, previewing the 2012 Formula One season.

Availability

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Sky Sports F1 HD on the Sky platform was available to new and existing customers before 1 April 2013 providing they subscribed to the HD pack.[11] Existing subscribers to all of the Sky Sports channels without the HD pack received a standard definition version.[12] Virgin Media and Smallworld Cable offer the standard definition version of the channel to Sky Sports subscribers, it is not available separately.[13][14] The HD version of the channel was made available to Virgin Media customers subscribing to the Sky Sports Collection with the additional Sky Sports HD pack on 15 July 2014. A standard definition version of the channel is also provided through Sky Go.

Since 18 July 2017, new Sky TV customers are able to purchase the channel as a standalone channel, or as part of a larger Sky Sports package.[15]

Since 2017, Sky Sports F1 has broadcast Formula 1 in 4K UHD.

International simulcasting

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Beginning at the 2016 Formula One season, Canadian F1 rights holder TSN began to simulcast Sky's coverage, including the pre- and post-race programmes and in-race commentary.[16]

For the 2018 Formula One season, Formula One's new US rights holder ESPN similarly began using Sky Sports F1's commentary, along with a simulcast of the pre-race show and some of the post-race show if necessary. At least four races are also televised on ABC under the ESPN on ABC banner, including Monaco.[17] However, after criticism over its handling and timing of adverts during the race coverage of the 2018 Australian Grand Prix (at times cutting off commentators mid-sentence), ESPN announced that it would broadcast the remaining races of the season with a single presenting sponsor, which has consistently been the American car care brand Mothers, and pole-to-pole advertising break-free racing.[18] For the 2019 Formula One season, Welcome to the Weekend and Pit Lane Live also became available on the digital subscription service ESPN+.[19] The light-hand Sky simulcast on ESPN and ABC has been credited with an increase of ratings and acclaim for the series in the United States, along with the sign-on of domestic sponsors for pre and post-race programming and within virtual advertising on the course during racing and qualification.[20]

Coverage

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Formula One

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Sky Sports F1 presenters at the 2018 British Grand Prix

The 2012 season started on 16 March (live practice) from the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Australia. Sky Sports broadcast every practice session, qualifying session and race live. The season passed 19 countries on the way. Formula One visited places as diverse as China, Bahrain, Belgium, Italy, and also United States for a Grand Prix taking place in Austin, Texas at the brand new Circuit of the Americas. The season came to an end at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix on 25 November 2012.

On 7 March 2012, Sky Sports F1 revealed its theme tune for the 2012 season, "Just Drive" by Alistair Griffin, which has been re-recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Rodolfus Choir.[21][22] The 43-second opening credits feature archive footage of former world champions and memorable F1 moments from 32 Grands Prix between 1950 and 2011. The theme tune was also used on The F1 Show and for Classic F1. 2014 saw a rearrangement of the theme to go with updated titles. Sky's original arrangement is still of Griffins' song utilised for its coverage of Classic F1 races. From the 2019 season onwards "Just Drive" was replaced by Outlands by Daft Punk, which had previously been featured in the film Tron: Legacy (2010).[23][24] During the 2012 season, Santander UK was the official sponsor of Formula One coverage on Sky Sports F1 in a deal that was estimated to be worth £3 million.[25] The coverage was sponsored by Shell in 2014. From the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix, FairFX sponsored coverage on Sky Sports F1.[22]

The season opening Australian Grand Prix, the first to be broadcast exclusively by Sky, had an average audience of 526,000 viewers between 4.30 am and 9 am on 18 March, with a five-minute peak of 1.02 million as Jenson Button won the race. The BBC's live coverage of the same race last season averaged 2.13 million viewers, a 51.1% share of the audience.[26]

Sky Sports won "Best TV Broadcast Award for Outstanding Coverage" at both the 2012 FIA Prize Giving Ceremony (following Sky Sports F1's debut season presenting Formula One)[27] and again in 2013.

Beginning 2019, Sky Sports holds exclusive rights to all races excluding the British Grand Prix. In September 2018, it was announced that Channel 4 had agreed to a sub-licensing agreement with Sky, under which it will broadcast free-to-air highlights of all races, and live coverage of the British Grand Prix. As a condition of the deal, Channel 4 agreed to give Sky the right to carry full series of its drama programming (including its curated foreign dramas collection Walter Presents) on its on-demand platforms.[28][29][30]

In December 2021, with the season-long title contenders Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton tied on points after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Sky Sports announced a partnership with Channel 4 to show live race day coverage from the title-deciding round in Abu Dhabi free-to-air.[31]

Presentation and commentary team

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The presentation team currently (as of June 2024) consists of:[citation needed]

Name Appearances Job
Simon Lazenby Most races Host and presenter of most live build-ups, post-race analysis and the opening practice session.
David Croft All races (2012–23)
Most races (2024) 		Main commentator on most practice sessions, qualifying and races and the host of #AskCrofty. He previously covered F1 on BBC Radio 5 Live from 2006 to 2011. He also contributes to The F1 Show.[32]
Karun Chandhok Most races Former HRT, Lotus F1 driver throughout 2010–2011. Analysis at selected races and sessions and pitlane reporter.
Natalie Pinkham Most races Initially only the driver interviewer (a role she previously held on BBC Radio 5 Live in 2011), sometimes host of The F1 Show and previously the final practice session on Saturdays. Conducts driver parade interviews at selected races. Also commentates on select F1 sessions and is the main presenter when Lazenby is absent.
Rachel Brookes Most races Sky Sports News reporter who previously interviewed the drivers for Paddock Uncut on Thursdays and provides F1 news reports. She takes turns to co-host The F1 Show, F1 Report[32] and the final practice session on Saturdays. Conducts driver parade interviews at selected races.
Craig Slater Selected races Sky Sports News reporter who previously interviewed the drivers for Paddock Uncut on Thursdays and currently provides F1 news reports.
Martin Brundle Most races Former F1 driver and tester. Co-commentator for qualifying and race day for the majority of races, Brundle also provides analysis and reporting of practice, qualifying and races, in addition to the pre-race grid-walk. He previously covered F1 on ITV between 1997 and 2008 and on the BBC from 2009 to 2011.
Damon Hill Selected races 1996 Drivers World Champion. Provides analysis and insight. Initially only available for certain races throughout the year,[33] he had since increased his involvement to become more regular at race weekends.
Anthony Davidson Selected races Former F1 driver for Super Aguri, BAR and Minardi. Also ex-test driver for the Honda and Mercedes F1 teams. Recently retired sports car driver and 2014 World Endurance Champion after a previous stint with Peugeot and Toyota. Co-commentator during practice sessions and analyst for selected race events.
Nico Rosberg Selected races 2016 Drivers World Champion and multiple race winner. Drove for Williams and Mercedes between 2006 and 2016 before announcing an early retirement. Provides analysis on a selection of races throughout the year and was a co-commentator on one race in 2021. Also works for RTL in Germany and Sky Italia's F1 coverage.
Jenson Button Selected races 2009 Drivers World Champion. He drove for Williams, Benetton, Renault, BAR, Honda, Brawn GP and McLaren between 2000 and 2016. Provides analysis on a selection of races and sessions throughout the year starting with the 2018 British Grand Prix and is one of the secondary co-commentators for qualifying and the race if Brundle is absent.
Ted Kravitz Most races Pit-lane reporter, who previously hosted the second free practice session. Host of the occasional The Notebook. Kravitz provides news, analysis and technical information from his position in the pit-lane. He previously covered F1 on ITV from 2002 to 2008 and on the BBC from 2009 to 2011.
Naomi Schiff Selected races Former W Series driver, drove for Hitech GP in 2019. Provides analysis on a selection of races and sessions starting in 2022. Also, host of Any Driven Monday.
Danica Patrick Selected races Former NASCAR and Indycar driver who provides analysis of selected races and sessions.
Bernie Collins Most races Former Aston Martin F1 team strategy engineer who provides analysis of selected races and sessions starting in 2023.
Harry Benjamin Selected races Main commentator for 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, 2024 Austrian Grand Prix and 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Jacques Villeneuve Selected races Former F1 driver. 1997 Drivers World Champion. First appeared as an analyst at the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix.

Support races

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In February 2012, it was announced that Sky Sports F1 would also broadcast the GP2 and GP3 series live. These series were eventually rebranded as the FIA Formula 2 Championship and the FIA Formula 3 Championship respectively[34]

Sky Sports takes the FOM-provided world feed commentary for Formula 2 and Formula 3. Commentators include Alex Jacques, Alex Brundle and Harry Benjamin.[35] Previously, Jacques has been joined by 2012 GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi for F2 events. Johnny Herbert, Rosanna Tennant and Alice Powell have also previously reported or commentated on Formula 2 and Formula 3.

IndyCar

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Sky Sports F1 aired the opening round of the 2012 IndyCar Series season.[36] The IndyCar Series moved to BT Sport in 2013, but returned to Sky Sports F1 in 2019 under a new contract by Sky's new owner Comcast, which also holds the U.S. domestic rights to the series via NBC Sports.[37][38][39] Sky Sports F1 has shown live every race in the Indycar calendar since 2019, with a combination of original American broadcast commentary and additional UK-based commentary.

Programming

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  • The F1 Show

The first programme to air on Sky Sports F1 was its weekly magazine show; The F1 Show. Initially presented by Georgie Thompson and Ted Kravitz (apart from the launch show, which was presented by Simon Lazenby), then by Kravitz and Natalie Pinkham, as of the 2014 season, it is presented by Natalie Pinkham or Rachel Brookes with contributions from David Croft, Paul di Resta/Anthony Davidson, Johnny Herbert/Damon Hill. The programme has not featured in the 2020 schedule.

The F1 Show returned for the 2021 season, replacing F1 Report, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and YouTube. It is presented by members of the coverage team at the track, usually fronted by Natalie Pinkham or Rachel Brookes. It features interviews with drivers, analysis and challenges. In 2021, it was broadcast on Thursday evening but moved to Friday evening after Formula 1 rescheduled its weekend layout.[40]

  • F1 Report

Presented by Natalie Pinkham or Rachel Brookes and regular analyst Marc Priestley. In the week before or after a race, the programme looks in further depth at some of the stories and incidents that featured or may feature in race weekends. This series has been replaced by Welcome to the Weekend, a Thursday race weekend show with a similar format. It no longer features Marc Priestley.

Welcome to the Weekend, from the start of the 2020 season, was broadcast directly before the First Practice session on Fridays. The programme did not feature in the 2021 schedule, replaced by a relaunched The F1 Show.

  • Classic F1

Coverage of an F1 race from the archive, often corresponding to the current race that weekend.

  • Ted's Notebook

A topical show presented by Ted Kravitz. It was retitled The Notebook for 2020 and followed the race programme on Sunday only. Since 2021, it has followed most qualifying, sprint and race programmes, and is sometimes referred to as Ted's Notebook on the EPG and when uploaded onto YouTube in the evening after being aired.[41]

Features

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Sky Sports have a device called the 'Sky Pad', used by Anthony Davidson, Karun Chandhok, Ted Kravitz and others. It is used to show highlights.

Sky Sports News

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During the Formula One season, Sky Sports News has two pit-lane reporters; Rachel Brookes and Craig Slater. They provide exclusive content to Sky Sports News viewers on the latest Formula One news. Brookes role has increased to include presenting some editions of the F1 Show, an alternate driver interviewer (in addition to Natalie Pinkham), and lead presenter for the Russian Grand Prix 2020.

Sky Race Control

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Sky Race Control is the brand name used across all of Sky Sports F1's interactive services.[42] Sky Race Control is available via the red button as well as the Sky Sports website and iPad app in conjunction with a Sky ID. Features include the race coverage, official Formula One timing showing times of all 20 drivers in every session and 3 selective onboard camera feeds alternating between certain drivers. Sky Race Control has been scrapped on PC in 2015, but continues on the TV and the Sky Sports F1 iPad application.

Criticisms, controversies and errors

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It was reported that, on 18 March 2012, BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch ordered a news story on a plan to sell a stake of F1's parent company and shake-up commercial deals published the previous day to be removed from the Sky News website, subject to a review.[43] It was alleged that the move came after Sky Sports F1 executive producer Martin Turner complained that it had upset seven of the twelve Formula One teams ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.[44] The story was republished the following day substantially unchanged except for the replacement of some sections quoting directly from confidential documents. Jeremy Darroch said that "the issue was about process" and that Sky's sports team at the grand prix were not "properly briefed" ahead of publication.[45] When questioned whether the request for a review represented a commercial interference in Sky News's editorial independence, Darroch said Sky needed to have "proper rigour in terms of our processes in our business".[45]

At the 2022 Mexico City Grand Prix, it was reported that Max Verstappen and Red Bull would boycott interviews from Sky Sports F1, following comments made by presenter Ted Kravitz, claiming Lewis Hamilton was "robbed" of the 2021 Formula One World Drivers' Championship after mistakenly proclaiming him an "eight-time World Champion".[46] Christian Horner described his comments as “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.[47] Red Bull ended their boycott of Sky Sports F1 ahead of the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix.[48] On 20 September 2024, ahead of the first practice session for the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, a pre-recorded segment of Kravitz analysing the Ferrari SF-24 was accidentally aired uncensored despite Kravitz dropping an expletive during the segment in frustration at his own performance. Both Simon Lazenby and Kravitz apologised to viewers for any offence caused.[49]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Formula One Administration Ltd announces new BBC Agreement". Formula1.com. 20 March 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  2. ^ "F1 coming to Sky Sports". Sky Sports. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  3. ^ Gallop, Ben (29 July 2011). "New F1 deal explained". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  4. ^ Plunkett, John (29 July 2011). "BBC and Sky to share F1 broadcast rights". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  5. ^ "Sky Sports launches F1 channel". UK: Sky Sports. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  6. ^ Mills, Adam (13 December 2011). "Q&A with Sky F1". BadgerGP.com. Badger GP. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  7. ^ "BBC to end formula 1 television contract early". BBC News. British Broadcasting Company. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  8. ^ "Sky F1 HD: The BBC came to us to save its Formula One rights". Pocket-lint. 20 February 2012.
  9. ^ "F1 HAS A BRAND NEW HOME" (PDF). Sky Media. 16 December 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  10. ^ "A dedicated F1 app ..." Twitter. 12 January 2012.
  11. ^ "Sky Sports F1 coming to Virgin Media". Digital Spy. 16 January 2012.
  12. ^ "Sky Sports F1 TM HD – The Ultimate Formula 1 TM Experience". BSkyB. 25 November 2011. Archived from the original on 28 November 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  13. ^ "Formula 1 fans on pole with Virgin Media and Sky Sports F1". Virgin Media. 16 January 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  14. ^ "Watch Formula 1™ with Smallworld". Smallworld Cable. Retrieved 10 March 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ "New Sky Sports line-up gives customers more choice and channels at the same price and individual channel packs for the first time". Sky plc. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  16. ^ "TSN Partners With Sky Sports, Expands FIA Formula One World Championship Coverage". Sports Video Group. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  17. ^ "ESPN will simulcast Sky Sports' F1 coverage". Awful Announcing. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  18. ^ "ESPN promises commercial-free Formula 1 broadcasts after outcry over coverage problems". Awful Announcing. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  19. ^ "ESPN's Formula 1 coverage expands with two new Sky pre-race programs". Awful Announcing. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  20. ^ Brittle, Cian (9 March 2023). "ESPN to further commercialise F1 coverage". Blackbook Motorsport. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  21. ^ "'Just Drive' for Sky Sports F1". Sky Sports. 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on 20 April 2012.
  22. ^ a b "Sky Sports looks to Fame Academy graduate for Formula One theme tune". The Guardian. 7 March 2012.
  23. ^ "Outlands". YouTube. 17 December 2020.
  24. ^ "New opening themes for Sky's and Channel 4's F1 coverage". 16 March 2019.
  25. ^ "Sky Sports F1 Programme Sponsor revealed". Auto Race Sponsor. 16 March 2012. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012.
  26. ^ "FairFX and Sky ink sponsorship deal for Sky Sports F1". TheDrum. 27 March 2015.
  27. ^ "Sky Sports wins "Best TV Broadcast Award for Outstanding Coverage" after debut season of Sky Sports F1HD". Sky Sports. 20 December 2012. Archived from the original on 10 January 2013.
  28. ^ "British Grand Prix to be shown live on Channel 4 and Sky in 2019". BBC Sport. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  29. ^ "Free-to-air F1 in new Sky/C4 partnership". a516digital. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  30. ^ Benson, Andrew (8 July 2018). "British Grand Prix: All you need to know before the race at Silverstone". BBC Sport. BBC.
  31. ^ "Abu Dhabi GP: Sky partners with Channel 4 to share historic Formula 1 climax with the nation". skysports.com. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  32. ^ a b "The F1 Show is no more". Twitter. 25 February 2016.
  33. ^ "Damon Hill joins Sky Sports F1/HD team". imediamonkey. 17 January 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013.
  34. ^ "Sky Sports to show GP2 & GP3". Sky Sports. 2 February 2012. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013.
  35. ^ Nelson, David (12 March 2022). "Scheduling: The 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix". Motorsport Broadcasting. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  36. ^ "2012 Indy Car Series opening round on Sky Sports F1 HD". touchline.tv. 19 March 2012. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012.
  37. ^ Mann, Colin (March 2019). "Sky wins IndyCar coverage". advanced-television.com. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  38. ^ "IndyCar reveals TV schedule for 2019". www.motorsport.com.
  39. ^ "Sky Sports to broadcast IndyCar on Sky Sports F1 in 2019". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  40. ^ Nelson, David (12 March 2022). "Scheduling: The 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix". Motorsport Broadcasting. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  41. ^ "Ted's Notebook | Ted Kravitz brings you all the gossip from the paddock - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  42. ^ "Sky teases details of Sky Race Control F1 iPad app and interactive services". Pocket-lint. 17 February 2012.
  43. ^ "BSkyB denies order to pull F1 story undermines Sky News's independence". The Guardian. 20 March 2012.
  44. ^ "Sky 'pulled' F1 news story ahead of first Grand Prix". Digital Spy. 20 March 2012.
  45. ^ a b "BSkyB chief says F1 story was pulled as news team had not been 'briefed'". The Guardian. 21 March 2012.
  46. ^ "'Longstanding issues': Red Bull in shock F1 boycott over commentator's controversial call". Fox Sports. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  47. ^ "Kravitz breaks silence on Sky-Red Bull fallout as he reveals Verstappen meeting". Crash. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  48. ^ "Verstappen calls end to Red Bull Sky boycott". RacingNews365. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  49. ^ "Ted Kravitz F-bomb airs on LIVE TV in shock Sky F1 blooper". PlanetF1. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
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