Spanish telecommunications group Telefónica is set to retain exclusive rights for the 2017 season of the MotoGP motorcycling championship in its home country after no free-to-air broadcasters stepped forward to agree a sublicensing deal.
The Motorsport.com website said all races are expected to be provided solely through Telefónica’s Movistar MotoGP pay-television channel.
Telefónica commenced its current rights deal with Dorna Sports, MotoGP’s commercial rights-holder, in 2014 and commercial broadcaster Telecinco has struck sublicensing deals over the past three seasons. It televised nine races in 2014, eight in 2015 and four last season, but has not signed an agreement for 2017.
Spain is a key market for Dorna and MotoGP. The series stages four races in the country, while reigning world champion Marc Marquez is one of a number of Spanish riders.
The 2017 MotoGP season is set to commence with the Grand Prix of Qatar on March 26. Telefónica’s rights deal with Dorna expires following the end of the 2018 campaign and it is expected that renewal talks will commence soon.