Network Ten has confirmed it will broadcast just six of the V8 Supercars races live when it takes on the broadcast from Seven in 2015.
In December this website was the first to publish details of the deal including the fact only six races would be broadcast live on Ten. Back then V8 Supercars were quick to criticise this website.
“I wouldn’t believe any speculation at all. It’s quite the opposite,” a spokesperson from V8 Supercars told Mumbrella ”That’s only speculation being driven by inaccurate reporting.”
“We can assure our fans that there will be more free to air and more pay television, so more content in total.”
“There will be more on free to air television than there has been this year and last year.”
However over the weekend Ten’s CEO Hamish McLennen confirmed that the Bathurst 1000, the Adelaide 500, the Gold Coast 600, the Sydney 500, the Townsville 500 and the Sandown 500 are the only races that will be broadcast live on Ten.
Highlights of all other races will be shown in a one package to air Sundays at 4pm on Ten. Highlight packages will also air on ONEHD at 8:30pm on Saturday and Sunday Nights. Ten will also bring back its popular motorsports program RPM.
Under the terms of the new deal Foxtel will broadcast every championship race event including practice, qualifying and support categories live in HD on Fox Sports. Fans of the V8 series will be forced to pay a minimum of $50 per month if they wish to watch the entire championship series live via Fox Sports
Ten’s CEO Hamish McLennen was keen to talk up the deal.
“Our viewers will get all the live action, thrills, drama and excitement of the Clipsal 500 Adelaide, Townsville 500, Wilson Security Sandown 500, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, the Gold Coast 600 and the Sydney 500, plus the best of the rest. It will be a compelling offer and we cannot wait to get it on air.
“With the addition of V8 Supercars to our popular coverage of Formula One and MotoGP, Ten is clearly the home of motorsport in Australia.
“The success of the KFC T20 Big Bash League on TEN and the XXII Olympic Winter Games on TEN and ONE have highlighted the value of premium live sport – and we are excited to add to that with the V8 Supercars.”
