Full details of TV package unveiled - 14/03/04

Full details of TV package unveiled

Full details of what is unarguably the best television deal in the history of the BTCC have now been revealed. ITV1 will show live races from five of the ten BTCC meetings this year, with a highlights package for the remaining rounds.

The live coverage - part of ITV1’s regular new Speed Sunday programming will start at the BTCC’s opening raceday at Thruxton, on 11th April. The final four race meetings of the season, at Knockhill, Brands Hatch (GP circuit), Snetterton and Donington Park in August and September will also be broadcast live.

ITV1 will also broadcast a season preview on 28th March and a review of the year in October. BTCC Series Director Alan Gow said: “ITV1’s commitment to the BTCC underlines the championship’s massive public appeal and will help make the BTCC the biggest show in town for every region of the UK that it visits. This sits extremely well with manufacturers, teams and sponsors, as does, of course, the incredible value for money they each receive from exposure on ITV1.”

ITV1’s Controller of Sport Brian Barwick added: “The BTCC fits perfectly into Speed Sunday’s line-up alongside Formula One and the World Rally Championship. The racing has drama and action written all over it and is bound to be enormously popular with our viewers. We are sure our live coverage will prove to be very spectacular.”

News of ITV1’s increased commitment to the BTCC is a major boost for the series, with the 14 hours of terrestrial coverage complimenting the extensive live coverage from satellite channel Motors TV.

Motors TV will show all 30 BTCC races live, as well as the support races that take place on the Sunday of the meeting. Over the course of the season, this will total some 110 races, available to 11 million homes in the UK and across Europe. The channel will also broadcast a new interactive “Live-Show” at the end of each meeting, gathering top-drivers of the day and enabling viewers to ask their questions.

The full schedule of ITV1 BTCC broadcasts can be found here.