MotoGP promoter Dorna has confirmed that year’s British Grand Prix will return to primetime TV for the first time in almost a decade, with race action from Silverstone on 29th August set to be broadcast live on ITV’s main channel.
This will mark the first time that the series has enjoyed such prominent coverage since the sport moved from BBC to BT Sport at the start of the 2013 season.
The news was confirmed today as part of a package of live coverage for the broadcaster, starting with this weekend’s French Grand Prix, with all three classes from Le Mans this weekend being aired live on ITV4 on Sunday.
First reported earlier this week by The Race, that coverage has now been made official, joining ITV’s regular Monday night highlights package as well as its live coverage from the British race.
British viewing figures for MotoGP have fallen dramatically since the series moved to pay-to-view TV in 2013, with BBC’s regular audience of over one million believed to have fallen by up to 75% since the move to BT Sport.
Therefore, despite the significantly increased revenues that pay-to-view deals have brought in, that strategy has gradually been rolled back in key markets like Spain and Italy, with a number of races each year (normally including races actually held in the country) returning to free TV – a model that now also seems to be reaching the UK as well.
Action from Le Mans this weekend kicks off at 0945 and will run until 1410, and will include live Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP coverage from the Bugatti circuit.
MotoGP’s world feed team of Matt Birt, Steve Day and Simon Crafar in pit lane will provide the commentary, alongside a slimmed-back show featuring no on-site presenter.
