Abu Dhabi, Oct 30 (IANS/WAM): Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is set to transform in-flight entertainment options with the introduction of eight live television channels which will telecast live news and sports, including this weekend's Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

While BBC World News, BBC Arabic, euronews and Sport 24 will be available from Nov 1, three more channels - CNBC, Japan's NHK World Premium, and CNN - will be introduced later in the month.

Sky News Arabia will follow in the coming months.

The highlight of the sports coverage is the final three races of the Formula 1 season, with the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix being held Nov 3 as well as the US Grand Prix Nov 17, and the Brazil Grand Prix Nov 24.

"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," Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' chief commercial officer, said in a statement Wednesday.

In addition to the Formula 1 racing, 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 football matches, and Euroleague basketball.

The major sports coverage continues into 2014 with the Australian Open, French Open and US Open tennis championships, the Winter Olympics from Sochi and the FIFA World Cup from Brazil.