Photo: BTCC Media

ITV continues live BTCC coverage

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ITV1, 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.”