SUPERCARS LOOKS TO NEXT TV DEAL

Supercars looks to next TV rights deal – Photo: InSyde Media

Supercars will begin serious talks this year about the next broadcast rights deal from 2021, as well as locking in a new TV agreement for the Bathurst 12 Hour from next year.

By MARK FOGARTY

Supercars’ international broadcast distribution rights are also up for grabs at the end of 2019.

Better free-to-air coverage on Network 10 is on the cards from this year as well.

With just two years to go on the existing six-year $240 million rights deal with Fox Sports and 10, renewal discussions will begin in earnest this year.

Supercars will also explore interest from other potential bidders as it looks to increase the rights fees and expand coverage across pay TV, FTA and digital platforms.

By 2020, when the next long-term Australasian rights deals will be locked in, the media landscape will be much-changed from when the current agreements were secured in 2014.

Internet streaming of events and extra content will be bigger – and more lucrative – sources from 2021.

Supercars chief executive Sean Seamer admitted that the next broadcast rights would become a focus during what will be a busy year ahead to secure new deals for the Bathurst 12 Hour – which Supercars owns and operates in partnership with the Bathurst Regional Council – and TV coverage outside Australia and New Zealand.

“We’ll certainly start to get ready for it,” Seamer told AUTO ACTION. “We have other things coming up, too. The Bathurst 12 Hour rights come up, our international distribution rights come up as well – so there will be more activity in the space [in 2019] than what there has been.”

He agreed that preliminary talks on the next Supercars broadcast rights deal would begin this year.

“Absolutely,” Seamer declared. “We have to start preparing for 2021.”

He also acknowledged that Supercars was in discussions with Channel 10, now owned by American broadcast giant CBS, about closer ties in 2019.

Network 10 and its regional affiliate WIN show seven major events live – including the F1 Australian Grand Prix points-scoring races – and the rest as delayed highlights packages.

But 10’s free coverage, which includes the weekly in-season RPM show, has been widely criticised by fans – even those who resist paying for Fox Sport’s comprehensive telecasts.

According to Seamer, last year’s appointment of long-time Supercars TV commentator Matt White as 10’s head of sport, along with the support of network chief Paul Anderson, has improved the prospects of increased engagement by the new-look 10 network.

“We’re working through highlights packages, replays, RPM and a broader content strategy over there (at 10),” Seamer said. “I think having Matt White come on board’s been great. Paul Anderson (10 CEO) is extremely engaged – you’ve seen him at almost every event (in 2018).

“We believe our relationship with 10’s the best it’s been and having a dedicated head of sports there in Matt and their own commercial team there now, headed by Rod Prosser, means that we’re able to integrate from a commercial point of view much better than we have in the past with sponsors and there’s certainly a renewed focus on live sport and sport programming in general at 10.”

Following CBS’s takeover of 10, Australia’s third-ranked FTA commercial network dumped Formula 1 apart from the Australian Grand Prix, but maintained its commitment to Supercars until the existing agreement finishes at the end of next year.

Channel 10 is the secondary rights holder in a deal with Fox Sports, which owns the primary rights.

Like its AFL and NRL broadcast agreements, the Supercars Media-produced race telecasts are simulcast on Fox Sports and 10/WIN.

For more of the latest Supercars news, pick up the current issue of Auto Action, both in stores and online now. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.