TV deal a treat for bike fans

10:30am Wednesday 5th March 2008

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BIKE fans should shell out for SKY to get their motorsport fix this season.

The British Superbike Championship will be broadcast on Eurosport and Channel 4 as part of a new deal.

Fans will be able to enjoy a regular four-hour live race day show featuring both Bennetts' BSB races plus support competitions the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship and Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup.

Highlights will also be shown in primetime the same evening and through the following week on a British Superbikes Extra that will feature action from the British GP125 Championship, starring Northwich's own Connor Behan, plus the Metzeler National Superstock 600/100 and KTM 990 Super Duke Championships.

The new acquisition, representing 48 hours of live and 66 hours of highlights coverage, is the start of a major new develoment for British Eurosport 2.

"It gives our ambitions a roaring start," said David Kerr, director of British Eurosport, which also screens the MotoGP and Superbike World Championships.

"We have a long relationship with bike fans and can now add this great championship to our already unbeatable line up."

Meanwhile Channel 4 will also broadcst a one-hour highlights programme on the Tuesday after each event with a repeat later in the week.

Their involvement give BSB a massive 162 hours of UK broadcasting time across satellite, digital and terrestrial television networks.

"Television coverage is vital to the future development of BSB," said Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of MotorSport Vision.

"A great deal of effort has gone into understanding what matters and securing the optimal package.

"We are in a new era in which digital channels will be the home of virtually all sport."