SportBusiness.com

MotoGP speeds up TV growth

MotoGP's TV growth shows no signs of slowing after it clinched a string of rights deals as it continues to rev up for the start of the new season.

Having clinched a deal with the BBC in the UK in December, it has now secured new deals for Belgium, Ireland, Finland, South Africa, Canada and the US.

RTL Club Belgium and Nelonen Finland have renewed MotoGP for a thee-year term - 2004-2006 - after a first 'trial' year in 2003.

RTL Club has committed to showing all the MotoGP races live in Belgium, whilst Nelonen will offer all three classes in Finland.

Ireland's public broadcaster RTE has also agreed an extension of their contract with Dorna, the rights holder of the series, for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. At least three key MotoGP races will be live and a highlights package will be on air every week.

Africa's pan-continental sports satellite and cable network SuperSport and South Africa's MNET are to continue their long-term partnership with MotoGP until 2007, including the broadcast of all three classes plus frequent re-runs.

Finally, for the American and Canadian fans, a new one-year rights deal with Dorna means that Speed Channel remains the place to follow MotoGP, with all the races being shown on a same-day-delayed basis.