Channel 4 has secured a three-year deal for the UK free-to-air TV rights to Formula One.

The commercially funded public-service broadcaster will screen ten races live in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 seasons, and will carry highlights of the remaining Grands Prix.

It replaces the BBC, which has chosen to end a similar deal early as it seeks to make savings across its operations. Pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports holds the live rights in the UK to every Formula One race.

Channel 4, which carries advertising, has pledged to show live Grands Prix without interruption.

"I am sorry that the BBC could not comply with their contract but I am happy that we now have a broadcaster that can broadcast Formula One events without commercial intervals during the race," said Formula One Group chief executive Bernie Ecclestone. "I am confident that Channel 4 will achieve not only how the BBC carried out the broadcast in the past but also with a new approach as the world and Formula One have moved on."

David Abraham, the Channel 4 chief executive, added: "Formula One is one of the world’s biggest sporting events with huge appeal to British audiences. I’m delighted to have agreed this exciting new partnership with Bernie Ecclestone to keep the sport on free-to-air television."

The BBC has been screening Formula One in the UK since 2009, when it took the rights back from commercial rival ITV, and has been the junior partner in shared coverage with Sky since 2012.