BSB confirms new deal with Eurosport
Eurosport has secured the long term exclusive worldwide television and online rights to the prestigious MCE British Superbike Championship, it has been announced today.
Following the success of the two previous seasons Motorsport Vision, which owns the rights to BSB, and Eurosport has agreed a five year broadcasting deal, enabling the digital sports channel to retain the domestic UK Superbike championships up to 2015.
The Eurosport Group's agreement with MotorSport Vision will see the BSB series broadcast live and exclusive in the UK with race action also seen across Europe on Eurosport 2 and on the Eurosport feed in Asia and the Pacific, opening up the Championship to a potential overseas audience in 44 million households across a combination of 61 countries.
The new deal consolidates Eurosport in the UK as the undisputed home for live motorcycle racing with the British Superbike Championship joining racing from MotoGP and live coverage of the World Superbike Championships, reaching close to 10 million homes through the SKY and Virgin Media platforms.
UK bike fans will continue to enjoy a regular four-hour live race day show featuring both BSB races, the British Supersport Championship and additional British and National Championship supporting races all live from each BSB round with expert presentation and analysis.
Raceday highlights will also continue in primetime that evening, and throughout the following week, featuring on Thursdays, a 'British Superbikes Extra' show featuring the British 125GP, the National Superstock Championships and other categories.
The acquisition represents a minimum of 48 hours of live and 66 hours of highlights coverage in the UK per season, as well as VOD and online clips.
"I am delighted that MSVR has agreed a new five year contract with Eurosport to broadcast British Superbikes live throughout the world," said MSVR chief executive, Jonathan Palmer. "BSB is the most successful national motorsport series in the UK, attracting more spectators and a greater TV audience than any other motor racing in Britain, whether on two wheels or four.
"The combination of the excitement and drama of BSB motor bike racing action together with Eurosport's reputation as the home of the sport's television coverage has meant audiences have continued to climb over the previous three year contract term.
"Since 2008 a staggering 600 hours of BSB and support class action has been broadcast and both MSVR and Eurosport expect this to escalate over the coming years as MSVR continues to invest and innovate to drive BSB to be not just the world's leading national bike racing series but rival some world series for both circuit spectator and TV audience popularity."
Dave Kerr, director of British Eurosport, added: "I am thrilled that we have been able to retain the British Superbike Championship on British Eurosport. We have worked really closely with MSV to grow the popularity of this great championship series and I believe this deal is an endorsement of our excellent production, comprehensive coverage and consistent scheduling. I'd also like to thank our increasingly large number of loyal and passionate viewers for making the show a major ratings success for us.
"Their support has been crucial and we look forward to bringing them even better coverage in the coming years."
