An update on the MotoGP coverage story, starting with this from Crash.net**************************************************
BBC Sport have confirmed they will continue to show MotoGP through to 2013 after extending their deal to have the exclusive UK TV rights of the championship.
Although not a surprise after the announcement that Eurosport had lost their pan-European coverage in favour of national distributors, the BBC will continue to show all the races – 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP - live, as well as the qualifying sessions.
Of these, only MotoGP will continue to be shown live on BBC Television, with the 125cc, 250cc races and qualifying broadcast on their interactive service.
In addition, MotoGP will now be available to watch on BBC's popular iPlayer, which offers the chance for viewers to catch up on the race through the BBC website if they miss it on television.
The decision to continue showing MotoGP on BBC will buoy the channel's motorsport coverage further after the announcement earlier this year that they have won the rights to show the Formula 1 World Championship too.
“We are delighted to have secured, for the first time, fully exclusive rights to the world's premier, and most watched motorbike competition,” Dominic Coles, BBC Sport's Director of Sport Rights, said.
“Alongside our recent acquisition of Formula One, BBC Sport has become the home of motorsport in the UK; a one-stop shop for fans of the very best two wheel and four wheel, adrenalin-fuelled sport action across TV, radio and online services.”
“With James Toseland making a very promising start to his MotoGP career, Bradley Smith shining in the 125s, and Scott Redding making history in that series recently at Donington Park, the future for British riders in MotoGP looks good, and the BBC will be there all the way to tell their story.”
Manel Arroyo, Dorna's Managing Director, added they were pleased to have secured a deal with one of the world's foremost television broadcasters.
“Dorna is delighted to extend its collaboration with the BBC, and thanks to their prestige and their dedication to MotoGP, we are sure that the Championship will continue to grow in the UK. We are also happy that fans will not miss out and can continue to enjoy all races and qualifying sessions in the future.”
No mention has been made as to who will present and commentate the coverage. Currently, Charlie Cox, Steve Parrish and Suzie Perry anchor the BBC coverage.
However, there is a campaign behind the popular threesome of Toby Moody, Julian Ryder and Randy Mamola, who led the Eurosport coverage, which could well prompt the BBC to revise its line-up.
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WE SAY:Well, as the article suggests - this was pretty much expected given the previous announcements from both the Beeb themselves and Eurosport.
The main thing as far as fans beyond the top class goes, is the whole matter of the level of coverage - and live coverage - that we can expect of 250 and 125 events.
The suggestion that the races themselves will be shown live on BBCi (behind the red button across BBC channels) is welcome if true.
But having been spoilt by extensive practice and qualifying coverage across all classes thanks to Eurosport, it's worrying to note that *no mention whatsoever* is made of these.
We can only hope that the BBC has the dangly bits to back up the boisterous claims of Dominic Coles of how good the service will be, and make sure that we DO get to continue to see all that action. Otherwise his so-called "home" of motorsport will be a pretty crappy home.
Only time and the eventual release of further information on detailed scheduling plans will tell us how good or poor a decision this has all been.
For me - and I'm sure for many others - the jury is still very definitely out...
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