NINE FIRES STAN INTO MOTORSPORT

The Nine Network is back on the grid with a landmark broadcast deal that promises to change the way motorsport is covered in Australia.

Its Stan Sport plan is built around a subscription model instead of traditional free-to-air channels.

It is certain to ignite a new motorsport rivalry between Nine and Seven, as the two media businesses have battled as hard as Ford-versus-Holden in its heyday.

Seven has a long-term commitment to Supercars and the new RACE consortium is hoping to spread its broadcast package to more streaming and pay-to-view options, but Nine has jumped ahead with its deal.

It is focussed on what is called over-the-top streaming, including delivery to smartphones, which is the biggest growth area in 21st century viewing.

Key to the new deal is the creation of the SpeedSeries for 2022, a re-branding and re-focussing of the Australian Racing Group categories headed by the TCR Australia Series.

The Stan Sport plan also includes coverage of IndyCar, the World Rally Championship and Formula E, as well as other iconic events including the Le Mans 24-Hour and Indianapolis 500.

But the focus is on streaming coverage, ad-free live and on-demand, of every race of every round in the SpeedSeries championship.

The Nine Network will also have a highlights package on one of its subsidiary channels, likely to be Nine Gem.

“This is a major partnership for the Australian Racing Group, our categories, events and partners that will take us to a new level,” says Matt Braid, CEO of ARG.

“This partnership with Stan Sport comes at a time when they are growing rapidly and are becoming the destination for Motorsport viewers in Australia. The combined audience reach, engagement and promotional opportunities across Stan Sport and the wider Nine business offers an unrivalled level of coverage our motorsport categories and events have never had before.”

The Stan plan begins with the first SpeedSeries round at Race Tasmania later this month.

“The SpeedSeries is Aussie motor racing at its best, and we are thrilled to be partnering with ARG in an exciting new chapter,” says Martin Kugeler, acting CEO of Stan.

“This partnership will see the SpeedSeries become the cornerstone Australian Motorsport content on Stan Sport, in addition to our recently secured international line-up including IndyCar, WEC, WRC and Formula E.”

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