BBC Northern Ireland’s coverage of the North West 200 will be enhanced by the announcement that the event will be televised in high-definition for the first time in 2013.
The famous motorcycling event is in its 84th year and attracts bikers and fans of road racing from all corners of the world. The 2013 event takes place over the weekend of May 15-18.
Coverage of the 2013 North West 200 will be shown on BBC One NI as well as BBC One NI HD, and includes an extended Friday night preview programme, plus two one-hour highlights programmes, all presented by Stephen Watson and Phillip McCallen.
Tens of thousands of fans will line the nine-mile circuit on race day to see the best riders in the world pit their wits against each other at speeds approaching 200mph.
BBC Northern Ireland has covered the event since 2007 having taken over the rights from UTV.
In addition to extensive TV coverage, there will also be reports and special features from behind-the-scenes on BBC Northern Ireland’s regional news programme BBC Newsline throughout race week.
Both practice sessions and every race will be live on the BBC Radio Ulster MW and on the BBC Sport NI website.
Television coverage will continue to be provided by Isle of Man-based motorsports specialists Greenlight TV, featuring up to 28 camera angles from trackside, plus an aerial helicopter camera and on-board cameras.
BBC Sport NI editor Shane Glynn said: “Last year’s new format was very successful, and we’ll have live coverage of both practice sessions and Thursday night’s racing on both Radio Ulster and via our online site.
“We’ll have super high-definition slo-mo cameras, kerb cams, and on boards to capture the best coverage of the event.
“The most important element of our coverage is teamwork, and we’re again looking forward to working closely with Mervyn Whyte and his team to provide race fans with the best possible coverage of this year’s North West 200.”
North West 200’s technical director Mervyn Whyte said: “The BBC team continue to deliver a fantastic range of global coverage and each year add new and creative dimensions to their output.
“The high calibre production provides an exciting mix of radio, TV and online coverage which reaches millions of people worldwide.
“Everyone at Coleraine and District Motor Club would like to wholeheartedly thank Shane Glynn and the team at BBC Sport NI for their hard work and professionalism and we look forward to another first class partnership.”
BBC Northern Ireland’s highlights programmes will also be available to watch online via BBC iPlayer for up to seven days after transmission.
An high-definition version of BBC One Northern Ireland launched in October 2012, and is available on Freeview HD, Freesat, Sky and Virgin (NI only).
Viewers outside Northern Ireland can watch each BBC One NI transmission on Sky channel 953 and Virgin Media 863.
…
good news, well done BBC NI
Shame its not gonna be shown outside Ireland on the BBC !