ITV CONTINUES LIVE COVERAGE OF BTCC
ITV, the UK’s largest commercial terrestrial channel,
will continue its live Sunday afternoon coverage of the Dunlop
MSA British Touring Car Championship in 2007.
This will be the fifth consecutive year that ITV1 has committed
to broadcasting the BTCC, the country’s premier motor
racing championship.
In addition to their Formula 1 duties for ITV, Louise Goodman
and Ted Kravitz will host the channel’s BTCC coverage
for the first time. Ben Edwards and former BTCC champion Tim
Harvey will continue as race commentators.
The second half of the 2007 season will be shown live on
ITV1 with the opening five race meetings shown live on a prime
ITV digital channel, with comprehensive highlights on ITV1.
All ten race fixtures will also receive highlights coverage
on ITV’s Men & Motors channel (Freeview/cable/satellite).
Furthermore, each race day – including the BTCC’s
support championships – will be shown live on independent
sports channel Setanta Sports (subscription cable/satellite).
Details of which ITV Freeview channel (ie. either ITV2, 3
or 4) will broadcast the live BTCC action, plus broadcast
times, will be announced in due course.
BTCC Series Director Alan Gow comments: “We are very
proud and excited to continue our association with ITV. What
effectively amounts to an expansion in coverage across its
network is testament to its commitment to the BTCC.
“We now have a total of four different TV channels
that will be broadcasting the BTCC throughout the UK and thus
it gives the championship a unique and excellent spread of
terrestrial, Freeview and subscription broadcast platforms
– a factor that is important with the increasing use
of digital channels by the public. Nearly 80% of UK households
now have either Freeview or cable/satellite and ITV’s
prime digital channels regularly sees audiences of over a
million viewers for UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup and live
boxing.
“The BTCC now has an enormous reach across all broadcast
platforms; with all ten events being broadcast on ITV1 (either
live or highlights), plus five events broadcast live on a
prime ITV digital channel, plus all events broadcast on Men
& Motors, plus all events broadcast live through Setanta
Sports… all of which provides viewers with an unequalled
choice and opportunities to watch the thrilling action of
the series.
“Proudly, this continues to be the biggest/best broadcast
arrangement for any British (four-wheel) motor sport and we
thank ITV for their continued enthusiasm and commitment for
the championship.”
ITV Director of Sport Mark Sharman adds: “We are delighted
to be continuing our coverage of the BTCC in 2007. The championship
has always proven to be a great hit with our audiences and
it is beginning 2007 in an even stronger position, with a
tremendous line-up of teams, drivers and cars.
“The BTCC very much remains an integral part of our
portfolio of top-line sporting events and we look forward
with great enthusiasm to bringing such an exciting sporting
arena to our viewers again this season.”
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