MOTORSPORT: Full, free TV for Bathurst 12-Hour
Spurned by V8 Supercars beyond this year, the Seven Network will telecast the round-the-clock event next February in its entiretyThe Seven network will telecast the entire race – featuring exotic brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Audi and Porsche, as well as other classes – with the first nine hours on 7mate and the last three on its primary channel.
The news comes as Seven enters the final months of its coverage of V8 Supercars, whose championship resumes this weekend at Darwin’s Hidden Valley.
Seven was spurned by V8 Supercars on its next television deal, with the organisers of Australia’s major motor racing series opting early for a big-money, long-term deal with pay TV service Fox that involves only six rounds being simulcast on the Ten free-to-air network.
The 12-Hour announcement makes no mention of any arrangements beyond the 2015 race – on February 8 – or rights fees.
But the deal may give the event another boost after the strides made in recent years, with the potential field about twice as big as that for October’s Bathurst 1000, which could have as few as 25 cars this year.
SBS telecast the final hours of this year’s 12-Hour, with the national audience about a sixth of that for the 1000.
There also has been increasing overseas interest in the 12-Hour.
Seven’s head of sport Saul Shtein said the new deal would continue the network’s “long and deep association with Mt Panorama at Bathurst” and pledged an “all-encompassing coverage”.
The 12-Hour organisers claimed the deal as a “milestone”, marking the first time it would be televised nationally – with a highlights package to be distributed internationally after the event.
“It is a great vote of confidence that the leading free-to-air TV network in Australia is willing to broadcast live the entire 12 hours of the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour,” event director James O’Brien said.
“This is a major boost for our partners, sponsors, supporters and competitors, who will receive network television air time around Australia, and for our fans, who will be rewarded for their loyalty to the event with unparalleled coverage.
“Having the entire 12 hours showcased live on free-to-air network television is rare in the world of endurance racing.
“Australia’s international endurance race is growing rapidly and our partnership with Seven is a reflection of that.”
Next year will be German oil brand Liqui-Moly’s third year as sponsor of the 12-Hour, for which the first prize recently was increased – although only to $50,000.
Managing director of the brand’s Australian distributor MotorActive, Bruce Morrison, said of the Seven deal: “When Liqui-Moly came on board as the naming right sponsor in 2013 the Bathurst 12-Hour was only followed by loyal race fans, with little or no TV coverage.
“Thanks to strategic and determined support by everyone involved, the event now not only attracts major international interest, it has also enticed the Seven network to commit to televising the full 12 hours of competition – live!” Morrison enthused.
Internet Live streaming of the race will continue in 2015.
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