Decrease coverage of MotoGP on TEN for 2014 World Championship (Source: Speedcafe)

Network Ten will retain full coverage of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix later this year in the wake of a last minute deal for all MotoGP categories to be shown on Fox Sports.

Under new arrangements struck shortly before the season opened at Qatar, Fox announced it would broadcast all Moto2, Moto3 and MotoGP practice, qualifying and races live in 2014.

It leaves Ten with live coverage of just MotoGP however the Network confirmed it will show full qualifying and races of the three categories at Phillip Island.

Details of the split arrangement which has given the bulk of MotoGP coverage to the subscription channel were not finalised until the 11th hour.

New arrangements regarding the sub licensing of the motorcycle classes for 2014 coverage were struck even though Network Ten is in the final year of its contract with MotoGP management.

“Every MotoGP race in 2014 will continue to be broadcast live, free and in High Definition on ONE,” a Network Ten spokesperson said.

“The Australian round of the MotoGP Championship, including Moto3, Moto2, qualifying and the race, held at Phillip Island, will still be broadcast on TEN.

“In addition, ONE will feature a pre-race and post-race MotoGP show.

“Hosted by Greg Rust and expert commentator Daryl Beattie, the pre-race show which will provide a detailed review and expert analysis from the qualifying race as well as a comprehensive preview of the race.

“A thorough post-race review and analysis will also be provided at the end of all 18 races, which cover 13 countries and four continents.

“Every MotoGP race, including the pre-race and post-race shows, will continue to be available via live streaming at www.tenplay.com.au.”

With the support events moving across to Fox for all non-Australian events, Network Ten could only run highlights in the lead up to its live MotoGP coverage in the early hours of the morning.

Network Ten takes over the V8 Supercars broadcast rights contract from next year under a fresh six-year shared deal between the free-to-air broadcaster and Fox and Fox Sports.

That deal means only Adelaide, Townsville, Sandown, Bathurst, Gold Coast and Sydney V8 events will be shown on free-to-air with one-hour highlights shows of the remaining events to be screened on One HD at 8.30pm (11.30pm on Ten) on the nights of those other race meetings.

NBL releases 2014 semi final dates (Source: NBL)

The National Basketball League grand finalists for 2014 will be decided in a fresh new format over six days in four cities.

Two semi-final series will be played simultaneously, with all games to be televised on free-to-air by the NBL’s broadcast partner Network TEN.

In a major boost for fans, the first two games of each semi-final series will be broadcast live nationally into all markets. Game 2 will be played as a live double-header nationally on TEN and ONE.

The first semi-final series will commence on Thursday, March 27 with the Adelaide 36ers hosting the Melbourne Tigers. The second semi-final series will begin the following evening in Perth with the Wildcats taking on either Sydney or Wollongong.

NBL Chief Executive Fraser Neill said fans would be the big winners from the revitalised finals format.

“Scheduling a finals series across four cities while still having the uncertainty of exactly who will be playing isn’t easy. But whether you’re at one of the venues watching courtside, in your lounge room or using the live streaming service you will have access to the NBL finals this year,” Mr Neill said.

The semi-final schedule is:

Group B

Date	Game	Teams	Venue	Tip-off Time (Local)
March 27, 2014	Game 1	Adelaide v Melbourne	Adelaide Arena	7:00pm
March 30, 2014	Game 2	Melbourne v Adelaide	Hisense Arena	1:00pm
April 1, 2014	Game 3	Adelaide v Melbourne	Adelaide Arena	7:00pm

Group A

Date	Game	Teams	Venue	Tip-off Time (Local)
March 28, 2014	Game 1	Perth v Wollongong	Perth Arena	6:30pm
March 30, 2014	Game 2	Wollongong  v Perth	WEC	3:00pm

Airdate: 2014 Rolex Australian Grand Prix

The 2014 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix is heating up at Albert Park this weekend for the opening round of the Formula 1 season.

Mel McLaughlin and Greg Rust will be hosting 10 Network coverage of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, they will be joined by expert commentators from Alan Jones, Mark Webber, Daryl Beattie, James Allen and Tom Clarkson. As they will cover the on-track action on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which is live and exclusive to TEN and ONE.

 Check your local and electronic guides, depending on where you are tuning in from.

EDIT: During the broadcast Mel McLaughlin said that "You can see the entire V8 Supercars from 2015 LIVE and Exclusive to 10" when an actually they will be broadcasting 6 races live and the rest on a hour highlights package either on ONE or TEN during prime time. 

About Me (William)

Is that I really enjoy the politics of sport and what goes on behind the scenes, the dramas, the conflict and TV rights for major sports here in Australia on FTA and Pay TV. In particular, Channel 10 is my currently favorite network in Australia, as they had the KFC T20 Big Bash League, Sochi Winter Olympics and I am waiting for the Albert Park Formula 1 Grand Prix on March 14 on ONE. I hope that the west Aussie (Daniel Ricciardo) gets a spot on the podium at his home GP. But last of all, I also enjoy talking to people who follow the same sports that I follow.

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