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British Eurosport to continue MotoGP coverage?

Joined Jun 2006
2K Posts | 20+
south wales UK
British Eurosport has denied clinching a deal to continue showing coverage of the MotoGP world championship in 2009.

But MCN understands that a deal is close to being reached with MotoGP rights owners Dorna for coverage to continue on British Eurosport in 2009.

However, the deal is not expected to include live coverage of the MotoGP race. With the BBC having exclusive rights to show MotoGP in the UK, MCN understands as a result of that exclusivity, British Eurosport will show the MotoGP race delayed and not live.

Live coverage of the 125 and 250 races is expected to remain, as is British Eurosport’s heavy output of practice and qualifying from all three classes.

It is all part of a new deal struck by British Eurosport bosses and follows similar negotiations conducted by French Eurosport with Dorna.

But a British Eurosport spokeswoman told MCN: “At the moment there is nothing to add regarding MotoGP."

Dorna announced last June that it would end its long-standing collaboration with Eurosport.

The decision was part of Dorna’s new strategy of working with national network broadcasters around Europe, always focusing first and foremost on free-to-air coverage to bring MotoGP to wider audiences.

That deal effectively ended Eurosport’s international coverage, but in October Dorna cut a deal to continue coverage with the French arm of Eurosport.

Dorna’s decision to ditch MotoGP provoked a flood of complaints from fans in the UK, upset at the loss of favourite commentary team made up of Julian Ryder, Toby Moody and Randy Mamola.
 
What the .... Dorna is thinking with this BBC-only deal I will never be able to figure out.

They've basically cut in half the amount of live coverage MotoGp will get in the UK, for no real reason other than a bit more $$$ I assume...
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (two-stroke @ Feb 19 2009, 12:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What the .... Dorna is thinking with this BBC-only deal I will never be able to figure out.

They've basically cut in half the amount of live coverage MotoGp will get in the UK, for no real reason other than a bit more $$$ I assume...

They didn't even get more $$$$$. I was told by members on here, that BBC's bid was significantly lower.

I'm sure Ezy was probably certain that Friday practice would be eliminated, so he knew BBC would restrict coverage that heavily; however, his motives are still unclear.

I suppose it could have been a twisted plot to relieve Eurosport of its army of popular commentators so motogp.com would have greater appeal. I'm not sure Ezy is capable of orchestrating such a move, but I wouldn't put it past him to try.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (two-stroke @ Feb 19 2009, 12:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What the .... Dorna is thinking with this BBC-only deal I will never be able to figure out.

They've basically cut in half the amount of live coverage MotoGp will get in the UK, for no real reason other than a bit more $$ I assume...

He trying to get all of us to pay $$$$$ for a subscription to his site to watch the races.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Traverser @ Feb 19 2009, 08:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He trying to get all of us to pay $$$$$ for a subscription to his site to watch the races.

+1

hit the nail right on the head
 
Hmmmm........

Think about the sequence of events. Ezy sells terrestrial coverage to BBC. To almost everyone involved, it is apparent BBC do not have the timing slots to cover FP1, FP2, FP3, or WUP. It seems Dorna would not have let these sessions fall by the wayside unless they were planning on cutting camera crew costs. It seems more likely that motogp.com was going to broadcast these sessions for a price premium.

Now that a majority of those practice sessions have been eliminated rumors are surfacing that DORNA want to cut a deal with Eurosport. It seems that DORNA has impaired media content for it's own website so now they're keen to shake down TV networks for a few more bucks.

Personally, I'm gutted. WUP is my favorite session, it appears no one will be televising it this season. Maybe it doesn't exist anymore
<
I haven't read the schedule change details thoroughly.
 
I'd settle for delayed coverage. It's rare i ever get to watch a race live anyway. but, i will never sign up to motogp.com again, shockingly .... service.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Feb 19 2009, 08:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Personally, I'm gutted. WUP is my favorite session, it appears no one will be televising it this season. Maybe it doesn't exist anymore
<
I haven't read the schedule change details thoroughly.
WUP is there but as you say whos going to show it. ?

ELECTRONIC RIDING aids will be limited and the amount of practice time will be cut in an official move to try and curb spiralling MotoGP costs.

The Grand Prix Commission met yesterday (Wednesday) to decide the immediate future of the championship and came up with a range of rule changes which will take immediate affect, ahead of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship.

The Friday morning free practice sessions for all classes have been removed and all MotoGP practice sessions (including qualifying) have been reduced from an hour to 45 minutes in length. But the biggest surprise is that the various electronic and hydraulic launch control systems and electronic suspension systems have been banned, so it's back to basics for the best riders in the world.

Also, for the eight 2009 MotoGP World Championship races which follow the summer break each MotoGP rider will be restricted to the use of a maximum of five engines until the end of the season.

Friday

13:05-13:45 125cc Free Practice 1
14:05-14:50 MotoGP Free Practice 1
15:05-15:50 250cc Free Practice 1

Saturday

09:05-09:45 125cc Free Practice 2
10:05-10:50 MotoGP Free Practice 2
11:05-11:50 250cc Free Practice 2
13:05-13:45 125cc Qualifying Practice
14:05-14:50 MotoGP Qualifying Practice
15:05-15:50 250cc Qualifying Practice

Sunday

08:40-09:00 125cc Warm Up
09:10-09:30 250cc Warm Up
09:40-10:00 MotoGP Warm Up
11:00 125cc Race
12:15 250cc Race
14:00 MotoGP Race

2. From Czech GP, maximum 5 engines can be used in 8 races. No changing of parts will be permitted except daily maintenance.

3. Ceramic composite materials are not permitted for brakes disc or pads. 4. Launch control system is not permitted. 5. Electronic controlled suspension is not permitted. 6. Only 2 post race tests at Catalunya and Czech GP for development purposes using test riders only are permitted
 
I really hope this is true, the less i have to watch of the awful BBC coverage the better!
 

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