BT Sport has extended its contract to broadcast exclusive live coverage of MotoGP in the UK until at least the end of the 2024 season.
All premier class Grands Prix, as well as Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE races, will continue to be shown live across BT Sport platforms, along with every practice and qualifying session, totalling up to twenty hours of coverage across each race weekend.
The pay-TV broadcaster’s latest contract extension will also see its coverage reach the 10-year mark, having taken over from the BBC and Eurosport in 2014 as the exclusive home of live MotoGP coverage in the UK.
Fans can continue to enjoy the high-octane drama from every MotoGP race on BT Sport, featuring a stellar cast of riders including Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Fabio Quartararo and reigning champion Joan Mir, as they battle it out for the premier class crown, though the series is likely to be without a British rider for the first time this year in over a decade.
Commenting on the new three-year deal, Simon Green, managing director at BT Sport, said:
“We are extremely proud to continue as the home of MotoGP in the UK and Ireland. BT Sport has the best presentation team delivering the most comprehensive MotoGP coverage that UK fans have ever enjoyed, with every single practice, qualifying and race broadcast in full.
“I would also like to congratulate Dorna on safely and successfully completing the 2020 season, one of the most exciting we have seen, and thank them for collaborating with us to bring some great new programming to our audiences during last year’s lockdown.”
BT Sport’s MotoGP coverage will continue to be led by presenter Suzi Perry, with commentary and expert analysis from Neil Hodgson, Colin Edwards, Michael Laverty and Gavin Emmett.
Former lead commentator Keith Huewen decided to step down from his role with the broadcaster at the end of 2020, so Emmett will switch from his previous reporting role to take over as BT’s lead MotoGP commentator for 2021. He told BT:
“I’m so excited about it. Obviously we all know each other, we’ve all been working together for many years. Now I get the chance to talk as the lights go out and I’m so looking forward to it. MotoGP is in its best moment, we are in a golden era!”
Joining the BT Sport team in 2021 will be reporter Natalie Quirk, who has previously fronted the broadcaster’s speedway coverage. She said:
“I can’t wait to get my teeth into it all. Being right at the heart of it is going to be really exciting, muscling my way through with the BT Sport microphone and I’ve got big shoes to fill!”
Along with comprehensive live TV coverage, all the action will continue to be streamed online via the BT Sport app, with the option of climbing on board a bike with our innovative 360 degree camera view on mobile and tablet devices.
Manel Arroyo, managing director at series promoter Dorna Sports, added:
“BT Sport are one of our most important partners and we are delighted to see MotoGP remain with them until at least 2024, securing top quality coverage for the sport in one of our most important markets.
“Fans in the UK and Ireland couldn’t ask for more. After a thrilling but challenging 2020 season, we are proud to see this partnership confirmed to continue and mark a decade of collaboration.
“We would also like to thank BT Sport for their support in 2020 and look forward to at least another four seasons working together.”
Joan Mir will be looking to defend his MotoGP title in 2021, after the 23-year-old became the first Suzuki rider to win the championship since American Kenny Roberts Jr in 2000.
The 2021 season is due to get underway at the end of March with season-opening Qatar Grand Prix at the Losail International Circuit.
UPDATE: ITV4 will broadcast free-to-air MotoGP highlights throughout the 2021 season
The channel previously broadcast highlights of the series between 2014 and 2016, before the rights switched to Channel 5 in 2017 and latterly Quest for the past two seasons.
For more information about MotoGP, visit the official website – motogp.com.
For a full list of all forthcoming major motorsport events on the box, visit SOTB’s dedicated motorsport on TV listings page.
