Eurosport has announced a renewal of its long-standing deal to screen live coverage of the British Superbike Championship for a further seven years.
The new TV rights agreement with series promoters and rights holder MotorSport Vision Racing, which kicks in from 2021, will see the broadcaster cover Europe’s premier domestic superbike series in the UK and across the continent until at least 2027.
Eurosport will continue to screen full race weekend coverage from every round on its TV and online platforms, including support classes such as the British Supersport, British Talent Cup, National Superstock, Junior Supersport and British Sidecar Championship.
Selected live races throughout each season will also be broadcast free-to-air on Eurosport’s sister channel Quest, which will also screen extended highlights from every round.
Eurosport has broadcast live coverage of British Superbikes (BSB) since 2008 and the new seven-year deal will extend this partnership to almost two decades.
Commenting on Eurosport’s new agreement, Simon Downing, Discovery UK’s head of factual and sport, said:
“This agreement underlines our long-term commitment to premium content. Motorsport is a key pillar for Eurosport and we see British Superbikes as a fundamental component of the portfolio.
“We have the ability to leverage Discovery’s wider UK network offering season-long coverage free-to-air to broaden the reach and engage new audiences.
“We’re excited to continue super-serving fans with a high-quality viewing experience through unrivalled production and expertise.”
Widely regarded as one of the most competitive motorcycling series, British Superbikes showcases some of the most exciting up-and-coming talent and has played a key role in the career paths for World Superbikes Champions Troy Bayliss, Neil Hodgson and James Toseland.
The 2019 season saw Scott Redding win the BSB title in his debut season and has since made the step-up to World Superbikes for 2020.
Stuart Higgs, BSB Series Director, added:
“To confirm this agreement within the very turbulent period we are all experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is a tremendous statement of confidence for the BSB Championship.
“Eurosport have been with us from day one of this most recent era of the championship, and now as part of the broader Discovery Group with access to their multiple platforms we can continue to grow our audience.”
“I am particularly pleased to improve our free-to-air offering with a selection of live events together with highlights from all rounds on Quest.”
Eurosport’s coverage of the series is presented by Matt Roberts, alongside six-time British Superbike champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, as well as two-time winner James Whitham and former World Superbike rider James Haydon.
The pan-European broadcaster’s UK portfolio of live motorsport also includes World Superbikes, Le Mans 24 Hours, Formula E, plus it recently announced an agreement to broadcast the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.
A revised schedule for the 2020 BSB season has been confirmed by the series organisers and will feature six triple-header events, totalling 18 championship rounds, all of which will be broadcast live on Eurosport, with free to air highlights on ITV4 and Quest.
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