ESPN STAR Sports extends partnership to broadcast WSB in Asia
Asia's biggest sports content provider ESPN STAR Sports and Infront Sports & Media announced the extension of its agreement to broadcast the eni FIM Superbike World Championship across Asia until 2018.
The broadcast agreement includes pay-TV rights for live and delayed races as well as race highlights, in addition to rights for free-to-air broadcast in most markets. The deal also includes rights for online and mobile coverage via ESPN Player and Mobile ESPN. The broadcast rights cover ESPN STAR Sports' footprint including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Thailand.
In the future, the World Superbike calendar will feature two new races - India from 2013 and possibly Indonesia from 2014 onwards - that will be sure to bolster interest in Asia.
Nick Wilkinson, Vice President, Programming at ESPN STAR Sports said: "We are delighted to continue our partnership with World Superbike to continue showcasing the best of motorsport to fans in Asia. ESPN STAR Sports is Asia's home for motorsports and with our stellar line-up of leading sports events, this new partnership underscores our commitment to serve our viewers with top quality sport programming."
Stephan Herth, Infront's Executive Director Summer Sports, said: "Media rights agreements around the world help to cement the status of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship as a truly global series. With the extension of the ESPN STAR Sports contract until 2018 we ensure that the high visibility level of World Superbike in Asia will be maintained for the long term. The coverage on the continent's biggest sports channel will further strengthen the series' positioning in this key market for our teams, manufacturers and commercial partners."
