RiderSite.com - Motorcycle Forums

It's just been announced that Eurosport have lost the right to broadcast the MotoGP, and from 2009 we're stuck with useless Parrish and that tart Perry on the BBC.

Dorna Sports has announced that the 2008 MotoGP World Championship will be the last to be broadcast by Eurosport.

"After many years of successful collaboration, MotoGP rights-holders Dorna Sports would like to announce that coverage of the MotoGP World Championships will no longer be available on Eurosport from the 2009 season," read a statement from Dorna.

"Dorna would like to thank Eurosport for a partnership which has been of mutual benefit for several years, having helped take MotoGP to new levels of popularity and coverage whilst also offering the pan-European broadcaster impressive viewing figures.

"The decision is part of Dorna's new strategy of working with national network broadcasters around Europe, always focusing first and foremost on free-to-air coverage to bring MotoGP to wider audiences.

"This means that in the UK, the BBC will enjoy exclusive coverage of MotoGP next year, whilst in Spain and Italy, where MotoGP enjoys long-term agreements with TVE and Mediaset respectively, negotiations are ongoing about extending coverage to more hours during the weekend.

"In Germany, a deal has been signed with a privately owned free-to-air channel, giving the commercial network exclusive coverage for three years until 2011. Meanwhile, negotiations are ongoing in France and other major European territories with various mainstream networks; further details will be announced shortly."

The British Eurosport commentary line-up of Toby Moody, Julian Ryder and former 500cc star Randy Mamola is considered one of the best in the business, while Eurosport's extensive live coverage often includes all three days at each grand prix.

The BBC will be broadcasting both F1 and MotoGP next season, with F1 certain to be given preference in the event of a clash.

Apprently there is a petition on "crash.net" (I can't find it yet) where you register your feelings; which if you love you're bike racing (as I do) hopefully you will vote

What a bunch of first rate plonkers Dorna really are eh?

F9

Can I just second your thoughts Rich, especially the last line!

Great news.

focusing first and foremost on free-to-air coverage to bring MotoGP to wider audiences

Usually watch it on the MotoGP site myself. Live timings add much to the interest.

Great I hate the spastics who present MotoGP on eurosport.

OMG I used that word

The one reason I have cable TV is Eurosport's bike racing coverage.
It's in a different league to the coverage on terrestrial TV.

So here comes rubbish, ill-informed coverage that will play second fiddle to other sports and whatever other dross the BBC decide to prioritise.

Disaster !

Just watch the laptimes on MotoGP.com and make your own commentary up!! or sit there with the sound down, laptimes up and MSN on chatting with mates and making your own commentary between you.

Oi! Stop with bashing my other missus. She's great and is the only reason I watch motorcycle racing.

the only reason i have sky is for Eurosport, oh and Americas next top model I guess rupe will have to go without my 20 quid a month as from next then I fear that the beeb will favour more mainstream sports though, namely fucking football shit. so Dorna will have shot themselves in their dago feet as it wont bring a wider audience. In my opinion.

I cant stand the BBC commentary! For me, MotoGP wont be the same without Eurosport.

The commentary I can take or leave - if I want to listen to some fat bearded bloke chatting absolute drivel I will go and speak to the father in law. What concerns me is that the BBc can only commit enough airtime to show the race and not a lot else, including the two lower clsses and qualifying, and as previously mentioned you know that boremula one will take precence if the two should clash.

If it isn't broke, don't fix it - what is wrong with the current idea of showing it on both BBc and Eurosport? All they need to do is transfer Suzi Perry to Eurosport and it would be perfect.

back_marker wrote:... What concerns me is that the BBc can only commit enough airtime to show the race and not a lot else, including the two lower clsses and qualifying, and as previously mentioned you know that boremula one will take precence if the two should clash...

On the button there BM. The BBC have shown little interest in Moto GP (or any other motorcycle sport for that matter) for years, the MGP result doesn't even warrant a mention in most of their so-called sports round-up bulletins (read only sports involving a ball!!). 'Tis a sad day for M/Cycle sports fans IMHO. There again, maybe the Beeb will surprise me and give us in depth coverage of all the races, classes and qualifying Right, must go, I've a flock of flying pigs to feed.

well you could all go and watch it live

Did that for Estoril!
The ticket prices were reasonable, especially as the wife bought them for my birthday, so I thought, it's just me and the wife, we can make it a 4 day weekend, 2 days Moto GP for me, then a bit of sightseeing and shopping for the wife in Lisbon, nice hotel in Cascais just 10 min drive to the circuit, and a rent-a-car for the 4 days. Cost ended up nearly in 4 bloody figures, so nice one off, but I had decided to stick with the cheaper Eurosport option in future thanks. Then this!
The only half decent thing about BBC coverage is Suzy.
Eurosport is miles better in every way and they have always supported bike racing and WRC, so perfect for me.

Estoril was a really good weekend though and we also had a nice day in Sintra.
(Just remembered, I never did post a write up!).