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SUPERCARS LOSES ARG TV DEAL

Supercars loses ARG TV deal - Image: InSyde Media

By Bruce Williams

Supercars loses ARG TV deal - Image: InSyde Media

Supercars loses ARG TV deal – Image: InSyde Media

As the TV commentary crisis continues, Supercars’ broadcast division has suffered a financial blow.

By MARK FOGARTY

AUTO ACTION has learned that Supercars Media has lost the deal to produce coverage of the Australian Racing Group’s events on the Seven Network.

The deal has gone to independent Sydney-based production house AVE, which previously did the Shannons Nationals TV coverage.

It comes as Supercars is dealing with the overwhelming opposition to dropping Mark Larkham from the commentary team.

Fans are outraged and have expressed their disapproval on social media and an online petition.

The axing of pit lane reporter Riana Crehan was also not popular, while there are fears the ‘Voice Of V8s’, Neil Crompton, could also be dropped.

Before COVID-19 shut down ARG’s TCR, S5000 and TCM season, along with the Bathurst 6 Hour and Bathurst International, Seven was set to show all rounds live on one of its free-to-air channels and/or 7+ streaming service.

It announced a nine-member commentary team led by former Supercars caller Greg Rust and including Seven Sports personalities Mark Beretta and Abbey Wey, plus Triple Eight co-owner Jessica Dane, Molly Taylor and Jack Perkins.

Ironically, ARG under new majority owner Barry Rogers remains the most likely buyer of Supercars when Archer Capital decides to sell.

Supercars under Sean Seamer still sees ARG as a threat rather than a potential partner.

AA understands the ARG broadcast deal with Supercars fell over on both cost and a clash of on-air talents.

It was going to be too expensive for ARG’s new straitened budget.

Also, Supercars and Fox Sports couldn’t agree to Beretta hosting ARG event telecasts while having a prominent role in next year’s new simulcast V8 coverage

The rift between Supercars and Seven over the FTA network’s motorsport coverage has spilled over into a dispute over Beretta’s on-air role.

AA understands primary broadcast rights-holder Fox Sports has vetoed him on the host desk alongside Jess Yates and Mark Skaife.

Subscription TV network Fox Sports has the final say because it paid the vast majority of the announced $200 million for the new five-year broadcast deal.

It has sub-let FTA rights from 2021-25 to Seven, which industry insiders say is paying a paltry annual fee.

The ‘screens of Seven’ will be showing a lot of racing next year, but apart from the Bathurst 1000, won’t really be invested in Supercars like its commitment to AFL.

However, we’ve heard Seven wants to involve AFL figures in the coverage, which would work with its Aussie Rules partnership with Fox Sports.

For more of the latest Supercars news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media FacebookTwitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.