Middle Eastern pay-television operator OSN has extended an agreement for rights to the World Touring Car Championship motor-racing series.
OSN signed the new deal, which will cover the 2017 WTCC season, with Eurosport Events, the series’ promoter.
As part of the agreement, OSN will show live coverage of all races, as well as highlights, the WTCC All-Access magazine programme and a season review.
The extension follows OSN’s successful broadcast of the 2016 WTCC season finale in Qatar.
François Ribeiro, head of Eurosport Events, said: “It was always intended that OSN’s live coverage of WTCC DHL Race of Qatar last year would be a precursor to a wider agreement to cover the entire 2017 season. Following the success of OSN’s live coverage of the event, which included a win for Morocco’s Mehdi Bennani and clearly captivated audiences, we’re very pleased to announce the continuation of our partnership with OSN. With two races in the Mena region, 2017 is shaping up to be a very exciting season and we’re delighted OSN will be an important component.”
WTCC coverage on OSN will be broadcast in the following countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Gaza Strip, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, West Bank and Yemen.
The 2017 WTCC season begins on April 7 with the Race of Morocco in Marrakech.