V8 Supercars will once again call the Ten Network home, with the announcement of a six-year deal commencing in 2015.
A contract worth $241 million over six seasons will see the category return to the station it debuted the ‘V8′ moniker with in 1997. With the split free-to-air/pay TV model being in vogue these days, the deal is accordingly in conjunction with Fox Sports.
Ten last broadcast the series in 2006, when incumbent broadcasters, the Seven Network, poached the rights.
The station has been derided by many over this period for frequently delayed broadcasts, cutting races short in favour of AFL coverage, commercial breaks occurring at times within two laps of each other, as well as other incidents – notably missing the conclusion of a fiercely contested race in New Zealand when transmission failed.
In recent seasons, the category has been shunted to secondary channel 7mate which, while in high-definition, was not available to those who hadn’t made the digital switchover.
Seven will broadcast the series in 2014 – the final season of the two-year deal struck prior to the 2013 championship.
This deal paves the way for a potential championship round at the Australian Grand Prix, where the V8s have proven a popular support category since the event’s 1996 inception.
Neil Crompton would have to be prime candidate to jump ship, the former having been part of Ten’s previous coverage before moving to Seven with the rights in 2007.
Such a move would enable Crompton to return to co-hosting the network’s Formula One coverage alongside Greg Rust and Alan Jones, ostensibly leaving Daryl Beattie to his preferred MotoGP field.
Rust can be counted on to have some involvement with the V8 coverage, having served as pit reporter last time around.
We have one more season of Seven’s V8 coverage to endure. One can only hope they pull out the stops so the series’ era on the network will be remembered with a degree of fondness.
roger smith
Guest
how many viewers will they lose. pensioners , unemployed, low wage workers. just think of the number of people who can not pay $100 to $120 a month. and as 4 late night highlights with half of the viewing time adds the sport must suffer. I only watch the v8s not interested in any other sport. what a huge disappointment and if crompo and the other comp team are not there well the fans will not be happy such a shame.
Daniel Bradley
Roar Rookie
Just to fix up an error made on the article Bayden, in NSW, the V8 coverage was shown live on Channel 7 itself with the AFL being shifted to 7mate but I guess as you are in Victoria, AFL was given higher priority over V8 Supercars. However in 2010-11, I think the minor V8 races were shown on 7mate in NSW. I'm not sure whether if Crompton returns to Channel 10 he will join the F1 coverage as he would be happy just to focus on V8's. I know he covered F1 on Channel 10 in 2002-06 but they have Alan Jones now even though he's not as good as he was when he was on Channel 9's coverage of the Formula 1 back in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Dave
Guest
Lets hope the decision is made to offer not only Neil Crompton but also, Skaife and Larkham contracts when the broadcasts change hands. All the more enjoyable (and informed) given their respective levels of experience.
Connar Olsen
Roar Rookie
This is a great move for Ten taking out the V8s Supercars TV Rights after Winning the Twenty 20 Big Bash Cricket TV Rights. It was a shame that Ten missed out on the Melbourne Cup Spring Racing Carnival, Australian Masters Golf & Australian Open Tennis TV Rights. It was also a Shame that Ten dropped the Hopman Cup Tennis TV Rights. Ten is definitely the new home of Motorsports! The Sydney to Hobart Race, Wimbledon & Australian Masters Golf TV RIghts come up after 2015. So, which of these events interests Ten?
William
Guest
If it turns out to be true like 7 events are broadcast on Ten/One, then that is pathetic. I hate James if it is all true and when he gets in power he like to screw them up real good. I am not going to pay something that a CEO at V8s stuffed up as he doesn't have a clue, as there are Anti-siphoning laws in place where every round must be shown on FTA. He sucked at Ten and now he sucks at V8s. FTA is where there are fans of sport not over at Pay TV. Ten is going to bid for the AFL and NRL. If the V8s close down before the upcoming deal (finalized) yesterday) doesn't see the future of the sport, but if people start watching it over at Pay TV then he has screwed the sport right up.
Hayley Wildes
Roar Pro
Can't wait to see how channel 10 goes, I just hope it is better than channel 7's attempt.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
It wouldn't be V8s without the Voice himself; Crompo. Though I wouldn't mind seeing Mark Larkham come over along with Mark Skaife.