UK commercial broadcaster ITV has retained its exclusive rights for the British Touring Car Championship after agreeing a five-year extension to its deal with the motor racing series.
The BTCC will continue to be aired on the network’s ITV4 and ITV4 HD channels until the end of 2021. The existing deal between the two parties was due to expire at the end of 2016, with the fresh agreement set to take effect from 2017.
At least seven hours of coverage will be shown on ITV4 on each race day. Highlights packages will remain on ITV4, while itv.com/btcc, the network’s BTCC-specific website, will stream qualifying events.
All coverage will be aired ‘as live’ on itv.com, with all programmes also available on the network’s recently-launched catch-up service ITV Hub.
ITV has been broadcasting the series since 2002 and the new deal represents the longest television contract in the history of the BTCC.
Alan Gow, BTCC series director, said: “Not only is this the lengthiest broadcasting contract in the BTCC’s history but it’s also the longest sports contract signed by ITV4 – a real testament to the standing of the BTCC, not only in the motorsport world but also within mainstream sports broadcasting.”