Australian commercial broadcaster the Seven Network has extended a domestic rights deal for the V8 Supercars motor-racing series for two years, from 2013 to 2014.
The rights cover V8 Supercars’ main championship series as well as the annual Bathurst 1,000 touring car race.
Financial details were not disclosed, but Seven, which broadcast the series for six years, from 2007 to 2012, was not seriously challenged for the rights by free-to-air rivals Nine or Ten, according to the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
The deal was announced after operators of the series scaled back ambitions for a five-year agreement, from 2013 to 2017. Last week, the Melbourne Age newspaper said that V8 Supercars was looking for a ‘stopgap arrangement’ on free-to-air television, for up to two years.
V8 Supercars is now expected to restart negotiations for digital rights covering the next cycle, having halted talks to concentrate on selling the free-to-air rights before the start of the 2013 campaign next month.
V8 Supercars said it would continue to produce coverage of the series for Seven and other broadcast partners.
“This is an excellent outcome for the sport and fans,” V8 Supercars chief executive David Malone said. “The extension gives great continuity heading into a very exciting 2013 season. Seven has been a great partner and we look forward to their ongoing commitment to the highest level of coverage and promotion.”