BBC Northern Ireland has announced an extension to its deal to broadcast the North West 200 across all platforms for a further five years until 2019.
Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event, the North West 200 is one of the world’s most famous motorcycle road races and it will continue to enjoy comprehensive free-to-air exposure on Northern Irish TV, radio and online until the end of the decade.
The deal includes the usual three TV highlights programmes shown on BBC One NI around the Thursday night and Saturday races.
As in previous years, all practice sessions and races will continue to be broadcast live on the BBC Sport website and on Radio Ulster.
The 2014 Vauxhall International North West 200 takes place from May 10-17 and this year’s event will include three races on the Thursday evening and five on Saturday, with the two Superbikes races on the Saturday extended from six to seven laps.
BBC Northern Ireland has covered the North West 200 since 2007 after taking over the rights from UTV and last year covered the event for the first time in high-definition.
Attracting crowds in excess of 100,000, the North West 200 is a pivotal part of the road racing calendar and features the biggest names in the sport, including Michael Rutter, Guy Martin, Alastair Seeley and Michael and William Dunlop.
The circuit runs on public roads between the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine, an area of outstanding natural beauty and home to the world famous Giant’s Causeway.
Commenting on the new TV at the North-West 200 media launch in Belfast, BBC NI’s Editor of Sport, Shane Glynn, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Race Director Mervyn Whyte and the Coleraine Club have agreed to extend our broadcast partnership.
“We believe we have taken coverage of the North West 200 to a different level, and we will continue to look at ways to further improve what we do and how we bring our audiences the best possible coverage of this magnificent event.”
Mervyn Whyte, NW200 race director, added: “The partnership the North West 200 has with the BBC Sport team is excellent and has seen the coverage of the event just get better year on year.
“I would like to thank the BBC for this endorsement of our event and I look forward to this coming year and many more to follow.”
For further information on the North West 200, visit the official website.
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