ITV4 is stepping up its coverage of top-level motorsport in 2014 after signing new deals to screen high-profile international series.
The free-to-air broadcaster has agreed the rights to show live coverage of the innovative open-wheel Formula E series as well as a deal to show highlights of MotoGP, the world’s premier motorcycling championship, on ITV4 in 2014.
Motorcycle racing fans can look forward to a mouth-watering season of free-to-air coverage of the biggest two-wheeled stars including reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi and British riders Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith.
MotoGP joins ITV4’s existing highlights coverage of the best action from the British Superbike Championship, which this year will feature its new commentary team of Toby Moody and Niall Mackenzie.
Back four wheels, ITV4 will be screening live coverage of every race meeting from the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship as the country’s biggest car racing series returns to our screens on March 30 at Brands Hatch.
ITV’s coverage of the 2014 BTCC season marks the start of its new exclusive multi-year deal which runs until the end of 2016.
There will be live coverage and highlights of all ten race days on ITV4 and in high definition on ITV4 HD, as well as a live simulcast on itv.com, where fans can also see live timing of every race weekend, extra interviews and features, as well as live qualifying on Saturdays.
Enhancing ITV4’s live motorsport offering in 2014/15 will be the inaugural Formula E championship, which starts in Beijing this September.
All 10 rounds of the first ever international electric motorsport series, with all on-track sessions held on a single day in some of the world’s most prominent cities, will be televised live and free-to-air on ITV4.
As well as BTCC and Formula E, ITV4 viewers will also be treated to one-hour highlights of every round from the World Rally Championship, including daily highlights of the British leg of the series, Wales Rally GB in November.
These events sit alongside ITV4’s already extensive motorsport portfolio which also includes highlights of the domestic BRDC Formula 4 single-seater series, as well as special programmes covering the ever-popular Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival meetings.
In addition, ITV4 will also cover the Isle of Man TT races in May and June and show highlights from the 2014 DTM German Touring Cars season.
ITV Sport’s impressive range of motorsport coverage means that fans can watch some of the world’s best motorsport action virtually every week during the season, all of which will be shown in a primetime slot.
Alongside live BTCC and Formula E (from September), weeknights will now boast highlights packages including MotoGP on Mondays at 8.00pm, World Rally Championship on Tuesdays at 8.00pm and British Superbike Championship on Wednesdays, also at 8.00pm.
All of ITV’s motorsport coverage will be available to watch on-demand on any device via ITV Player.
ITV’s Director of Sport Niall Sloane said: “I’m delighted we will be able to bring viewers live coverage of wheel-to-wheel racing in the world’s most famous cities in Formula E, and the high-octane action of the MotoGP circuit.
“These new deals, along with those for domestic events, highlight the importance of motorsport to ITV4 and add to the wealth of free to air coverage we’re able to bring motorsport fans throughout the year.”
Commenting on ITV’s MotoGP highlights deal, Manel Arroyo, Dorna Managing Director, said: “We’re pleased that British fans of MotoGP will now have the chance to watch highlights from each round of the Championship on free-to-air television in the UK.
“Combined with the extensive live and in-depth coverage provided by BT Sport from each grand prix, British fans will now be treated to more coverage of MotoGP than ever before.”
For more details about ITV Sport’s coverage, visit itv.com/sport, or follow ITV Sport and ITV4 on Twitter – @ITVSport and @ITV4.
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| MOTORSPORT ON ITV4 IN 2014 |
British Touring Car Championship – LIVE & Highlights
Formula E – LIVE & Highlights
MotoGP – Highlights
World Rally Championship – Highlights
Isle of Man TT – Highlights
DTM German Touring Cars – Highlights
BRDC Formula 4 – Highlights
Goodwood Festival of Speed – Highlights
Goodwood Revival Meeting – Highlights
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