The months previous to the start of the season are particularly busy at Dorna headquarters, as growing interest in the MotoGP World Championship continues to produce new agreements for the broadcast of the series in different countries, most of them through free-to-air terrestrial networks.

The recent contract with BBC, which will see all the MotoGP races shown live in the UK, has been followed by other rights deals for territories such as Belgium, Ireland, Finland, South Africa, the USA and Canada.

RTL Club Belgium and Nelonen Finland have renewed MotoGP for a 3-year term (2004 to 2006). After a first ‘trial’ year in 2003, both networks have extended their initial contracts, entitling them to the TV rights for MotoGP in their respective countries. RTL Club have 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 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.

For more details conatct:

Paco Latorre,
Communications Director
Dorna Sports
Tel: +34 93 473 8494
Fax: +34 93 372 4103
pacolatorre@dorna.com