A1 GP extends broadcast partnerships

A1 Grand Prix (A1 GP), the “World Cup of motorsport”, has extended its global broadcast partnerships securing two new deals with US cable network SPEED and UK free-to-air terrestrial channel Five.

Under the arrangement Channel Five will broadcast mid-week highlights of each event complementing Sky Sports’ existing rights agreement for live race coverage of the tournament.

The deal with Speed, the US cable network dedicated solely to motorsport which airs other prominent competitions such as NASCAR, Champ Car World Series and MotoGP, will extend A1 GP’s coverage to more than 68 million homes across the US and a further 5 million in Canada.

A1 GP executive director and head of broadcast, Richard Dorman, says the new deals will extend its reach to a broader fan base.

The series already has a network of over 30 broadcast partners enabling viewing in more than 150 countries worldwide. It also recently extended its rights package online partnering with global online broadcaster MediaZone.

A1 GP, which was conceived by a member of the Dubai Royal Family and is now in its second season, pits more than 20 nations against each other, in a unique driver versus driver and country against country format. The countries involved represent 80% of the world’s population.

In August the series appointed JWT and Mindshare to handle its £8m advertising and branding business to develop a long-term brand communications strategy for the motor racing series and implement it across 15 markets (MW August 17).