Ten Sports acquires exclusive rights for MotoGP

The network will broadcast all MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 races and qualifying practices live on its six channels.

Ten Sports Network has secured exclusive rights for MotoGP, the premier World Championship for motorcycle road racing. MotoGP will, for the first time, be broadcast exclusively by a broadcaster in the Indian sub-continent.

This deal between Taj TV and MotoGP rights holders Dorna Sports will run for a period of five seasons, starting 2015. As part of the deal, Ten Sports Network will broadcast all MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 races and qualifying practices live on its six channels. Ten Sports will also be offering multi-screen feeds on its digital platforms and will develop a dedicated MotoGP section on www.tensports.com.

Ten Sports acquires exclusive rights for MotoGP

Rajesh Sethi, global CEO, Ten Sports, says, "We are committed to building this property in India over the next five years, and viewers will witness unprecedented MotoGP programming initiatives on Ten Sports Network. Viewers identify MotoGP with the Ten Sports Network as can be seen with the higher MotoGP viewership numbers on Ten Sports vis-a-vis other networks. We have also been rights holders for this premium property since 2006, and we are delighted to continue and take this partnership to the next level."

Announcing the agreement, Manel Arroyo, MD, Dorna Sports, says, "We are thrilled about our exclusive partnership with Taj TV and looking forward to developing a close relationship with them. India is a key market for MotoGP in the coming years, and the World Championship will benefit greatly from the extensive promotion that Taj has committed to provide."

The 2015 MotoGP season begins in Qatar on March 27 with the first of 18 races in the calendar. The 2015 rider line-up is stronger and more competitive than ever, with defending champion Marc Marquez looking to retain his title over rivals Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa, amongst others.

Ten Sports Network is increasing the engagement levels with MotoGP fans in the country. It will run contests to send fans to witness live action from the best races. Promotional events are being planned in the territory as well. From a programming standpoint, there will be new shows around races, with Ten Sports also looking to add a local flavour by creating Indian-focussed programming for a few events.

Ten Sports holds long-term broadcast rights to five Cricket Boards, the WWE, and exclusive broadcast rights to US Open, prestigious ATP events, WTA, Ryder Cup, US PGA Championship, the European PGA Tour the Asian Tour and the Tour De France. Ten Sports Network is also a leader in football content with rights to the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, I League, Ligue 1, Copa Del Rey, German Cup, Capital One Cup, Sky Bet Football League, A-League and Club Channels.

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