V8 Supercars announces the TV deal on FTA in more detail (Source: V8Supercars Australia)

FAST FACTS

- A 360 per cent increase in television content to 1140 hours per year.

- Unprecedented breadth of coverage and content; new production innovation; prime time promotion.

- Six major events – the Clipsal 500 Adelaide, Townsville 500, Wilson Security Sandown 500, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, the Gold Coast 600 and the Sydney 500 – live on TEN 

- Highlights program including every race, Sundays at 4pm, on TEN, one hour highlights packages on ONE in prime time on Saturdays and Sundays at 8.30pm, and on TEN on Saturdays and Sundays at 11.30pm.

- Return of the highly popular motorsport panel show RPM on TEN

It was revealed today that there would be 1140 hours of broadcast television across FOX SPORTS and Ten Network from next year. Six major events – the Clipsal 500 Adelaide, Townsville 500, Wilson Security Sandown 500, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, the Gold Coast 600 and the Sydney 500 – will be broadcast live and in full on TEN. 

These highlights packages will air on Saturdays at 8.30pm on ONE and 11.30pm on TEN; with Sunday’s full highlights packages at 4pm on TEN, 8.30pm on ONE and 11.30pm on TEN. Ten Network Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Hamish McLennan said: “We are looking forward to welcoming V8 Supercars back to their natural home – on TEN and ONE – in 2015."

“TEN will bring viewers and advertisers the six best races – live and free – plus compelling highlights packages of all the other races. We have worked closely with V8 Supercars to ensure free-to-air television viewers receive comprehensive and engaging coverage on both TEN and ONE."

“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,” Mr McLennan said.

“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 V8 Supercars.”

Initial projections show that on conservative estimates and with prime time promotion on TEN and ONE, V8 Supercars will grow its audience significantly, further adding to the long term strength and well-being of the sport.

More here 

TEN signs Mark Webber for Australian Grand Prix (Source: TV Tonight)

Retired Formula One driver, Mark Webber, has joined TEN’s commentary team for the 2014 Formula One Australian Grand Prix.

He will join TEN’s Greg Rust, Mel McLaughlin, Alan Jones, Tom Clarkson and James Allen and Daryl Beattie at Albert Park in March.

Webber ended his 12-year career last November after winning nine Grands Prix.

“I am delighted to be working with Network TEN around this year’s Australian Grand Prix,” he said.

“I have had a fantastic relationship with the TEN guys over the years and it’s great to be working closely with the team on this year’s event.

“I am really looking forward to the season ahead with Porsche in the World Endurance Championship, and with a later start to that championship in April, it gives me an opportunity to return to Melbourne and have some fun from the other side of the fence.”

Network Ten Head of Sport, David Barham, added, “Mark’s contribution to the popularity of Formula One in his home country over the last decade cannot be underestimated and we are thrilled to have him join our commentary team for the 2014 Formula One Australian Grand Prix.”

The 2014 Formula One Australian Grand Prix will be broadcast from Friday, March 14, until Sunday, March 16, Live and exclusive on TEN and ONE.

V8s are poised to confirm the 2015 FTA broadcast details (Source: Speedcafe)

Confirmation that just seven V8 Supercars events will be broadcast live on free-to-air television in 2015 is expected to take place before the end of the month.

While V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton suggested that clarity would not occur until the launch of the 2015 racing calendar later this year, the Australian Financial Review today reports that an announcement will take place around the season-opening Clipsal 500.

It is expected that Ten will have live rights to only the Adelaide, Albert Park, Darwin, Townsville, Bathurst, Gold Coast and Sydney races; five of which are expected to include twilight races. The remainder of the season would likely be shown by Ten on a delayed basis.

A V8 Supercars spokesman told Speedcafe.com that it is currently working with Fox Sports and Ten on locking down a date for the announcement of its 2015 scheduling.

While in the UK, the Formula 1 is now shown on Sky Sports and BBC with Sky having the full rights and the BBC just getting selected races or half of the races live. 

EDIT : only Adelaide, Albert Park, Townsville, Bathurst, Sandown, Gold Coast and Homebush will only be live on FTA, with the rest being a one hour highlight package in prime time; either on One or Ten. James Warburton also announced a return of RPM. It remains to be seen what the commentary teams will be for the 10s commentary team and Fox Sports commentary team