ATV extends MotoGP coverage and contract

At a press conference today in Vienna, Austrian private network ATV strengthened its commitment to the MotoGP World Championship by confirming a new deal with the series´ commercial rights-holders Dorna Sports for the next three years.

Viewing figures have been continually on the rise in Austria since ATV first began to broadcast the MotoGP and 125cc series live in 2003. Coverage was first extended to include the 250cc World Championship in 2006, however with all classes now live, ATV confirmed today that it would increase its coverage of the sport even further, to broadcast the Saturday MotoGP qualifying sessions from the European rounds.

Not only will there be more coverage of MotoGP for Austrian fans to enjoy, but ATV will become the dedicated home for the sport in the country as the broadcaster confirmed complete exclusivity until the end of the new deal in 2011.

ATV Managing Director Ludwig Bauer was happy with the successful agreement, explaining, `Live sport is always a key factor in ATV´s programming.´ Meanwhile ATV´s Sports Manager Mark Michael Nanseck commented, `With this new deal we will be able to win over even more viewers to the live broadcasts.´

For Austrian fans who miss live broadcasts, ATV also announced that its homepage www.atv.at will now carry a highlights package.

The 2009 MotoGP season kicks off with the Grand Prix of Qatar on April 12th 2009, with the first European race in Jerez, Spain on May 3rd.