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Both the ELF Renault Clio Cup and Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship will receive a combination of live and recorded television coverage during the 2007 season. A broadcast agreement was reached for the British Touring Car Championship support races after the BTCC finally concluded its own negotiations.
In a change from 2006, dedicated sports satellite channel Setanta will host live coverage on the Sunday of each race meeting. The Irish-based international broadcaster, which has 12 channels in 24 countries, is available in the UK via Freeview, Virgin Media and BSkyB platforms, ensuring a wide potential audience for the season.
Exact scheduling for the live coverage is currently being finalised but the bulk of the Sunday action, when a large majority of points-scoring championship rounds are held, is expected to be aired live.
The second part of the coverage sees the return of the hugely successful Motorsport UK on main terrestrial channel ITV1. In 2006, nine programmes featured action from the ELF Renault Clio Cup drawing a total audience of 5,783,000. The picture was similar regarding Formula Renault UK, where a total of 5,750,000 viewers tuned in over the course of 10 episodes.
Motorsport UK switches to a Sunday night slot for the new season, with the first of 26 episodes scheduled for Sunday, 20th May. The show will run every Sunday with two exceptions, 3rd June and 24th June, when BTCC highlights will be shown. The final episode is due for broadcast on Sunday, 25th November. Each championship is projected to receive a total of 2hrs 15min airtime during the course of the season.
This season also sees a change of host for Motorsport UK, with Louise Goodman, who is well-known for her work on ITV’s Formula One coverage, taking over from Fran Robinson. Simon Hill and John Hindhaugh return to the commentary booth to add their passionate views to the thrilling action.
Commenting on the new television agreement, Tim Jackson, Renault UK’s Motorsport Manager, said: “I am delighted we have been able to agree a new deal that promises the continuation of both live coverage and highlights. Negotiations had stalled while the BTCC agreed its deal so to emerge with more than two hours of coverage is a great result for our teams, drivers and most importantly sponsors.”
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