Dutch commercial broadcaster RTL has agreed a rights deal for the newly-formed World Touring Car Cup (WTCR).
RTL was an existing partner of the World Touring Car Championship, which has merged with the TCR series to form the new motor-racing event.
RTL’s GP Motorsport platform will broadcast highlights of all 10 events during the maiden WTCR season, with the RTL 7 channel set to offer live coverage of select race weekends.
As well as broadcasting the on-track action, RTL 7’s coverage will include footage from Dutch driver Tom Coronel’s TomCam initiative – which will take viewers behind the scenes at WTCR events – while his Boutsen Ginion Racing Honda Civic TCR car will carry several GoPro cameras to provide additional material.
Marco Zwaneveld, RTL 7 channel co-ordinator, said: “Tom Coronel (pictured) and RTL Netherlands have been a great team for many years. Together we have monitored the developments of TCR racing because we really believed in the concept.
“After it became clear that the FIA World Touring Car Championship would become the FIA World Touring Car Cup and use the TCR technical regulations there was just one goal: create the best package for Team Coronel in 2018.
“This year will be very special due to the fact that the WTCR will visit the Zandvoort circuit from May 19-21.”
RTL will commence its coverage with highlights of the season-opening Race of Morocco. The event takes place on April 7-8, with highlights to be provided on April 15.