World Superbikes to remain on Eurosport until 2019

World Superbikes will remain with Eurosport until at least the end of the 2019 season, after the pair announced an extension to their deal this morning.

An extension to a long-term deal that will celebrate it’s twentieth anniversary in 2017, the coverage will extend from World Superbike’s two feature races, split to Saturday and Sunday for the first time in 2016, as well as World Supersport and European Superstock 1000.

Peter Hutton, Chief Executive Officer, Eurosport, said: “Dorna WorldSBK has been a great partner of Eurosport’s for almost 20 years and we are pleased to continue the relationship until 2019. Eurosport viewers are already excited to seeing how reigning champion Jonathan Rea defends his number 1 plate when the 2016 season lines-up later this month and can they look forward to the story continuing on Eurosport for three more seasons.

“We see excellent ratings and viewing figures for the Championship, especially in the UK where fans enjoy exclusive and bespoke coverage from a dedicated Eurosport production team on the ground, so we are happy to maintain that exclusivity in the new agreement.”

Manel Arroyo, Managing Director of Dorna Sports, TV and Media Area, stated: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Eurosport for a further three seasons, allowing WorldSBK to reach as far in Europe as possible with one of the biggest broadcast partners in the continent.

“The renewal and strengthening of this longstanding and esteemed partnership will see WorldSBK gain unparalleled promotion and growth. The scope of Eurosport means that fans of so many different riders will be able to continue to enjoy their WorldSBK heroes broadcast continent-wide, from the British fans of the likes of Rea, Davies and Sykes, to those of Reiterberger in Germany, Torres in Spain, Guintoli in France and extending as far as the many fans of Sofuoglu in Turkey.”

The news also brings to an end the speculation that MotoGP rights holders BT Sport were also interested in acquiring the series broadcast rights as part of their plan to become the new home of motorcycling on TV.

The London-based broadcaster has recently taken the rights to the Speedway GP series from Eurosport.