79 replies to this topic

[D.M.N.]

Dorna Sports has announced that the 2008 MotoGP World Championship will be the last to be broadcast by Eurosport.

"After many years of successful collaboration, MotoGP rights-holders Dorna Sports would like to announce that coverage of the MotoGP World Championships will no longer be available on Eurosport from the 2009 season," read a statement from Dorna.

http://www.crash.net...ses_motogp.html




Their coverage is so much better than BBC. And with BBC covering F1 next year, their time devoted to MotoGP will be even less.

[Atreiu]

Totally sucks.

[pingu666]

why?
and whats wrong with the bbc coverage?, i like the bbc coverage, i like the eurosport world superbike team too, never bothered to aquire the eurosport version of motogp tho :

[Imperial]

What's going on with Eurosport?

They've lost (in the UK at least) CART (which fair enough is of course dead now anyway), GP2 and now Moto GP.

I wonder if this is Eurosport willingly giving up their motor-racing portfolio or are they losing out on contract bids?

Quiet weird and sad actually because it can only equal less viewers which means the channel as a whole will suffer due to a loss in income.

[Deeq]

Erm which "EUROSPORT"? presumable British/French Eurosport, in that case welcome to the club.... ours lost anything worth flowing zillions years ago....

[Sébastien]

Originally posted by pingu666
why?
and whats wrong with the bbc coverage?, i like the bbc coverage, i like the eurosport world superbike team too, never bothered to aquire the eurosport version of motogp tho :

My sentiments exactly, I like the BBC coverage much more than the Eurosport one.
Decent preview, gridwalk with Suzi Perry and short highlights afterwards.
Remains to be seen though what they can do when they will cover F1 next year also.

[kar]

Originally posted by Sébastien

My sentiments exactly, I like the BBC coverage much more than the Eurosport one.
Decent preview, gridwalk with Suzi Perry and short highlights afterwards.
Remains to be seen though what they can do when they will cover F1 next year also.

See I much rather Eurosport to the clowns that commentate at the BBC.

[F1Fanatic.co.uk]

With Eurosport losing GP2, Champ Car and Moto GP I really hope they now get the Indy coverage off Sky, who can't even be bothered showing all the races live.

[Sébastien]

Originally posted by kar

See I much rather Eurosport to the clowns that commentate at the BBC.

I think what you get of MotoGP on Eurosport UK and what we get on the continent are different things.
No preview, no gridwalk, many ads and daft commentary, we should be lucky if they include the podium.

[Juan Kerr]

That's a real real shame based purely on the fact that Julian Ryder, Toby Moody and Randy Mamola are the most interesting and entertaining trio there is, all three of them have their own input all of which is very interesting and with loads of humour. They're not overly controlled either because eurosport aren't so stuck-up as some other channels.
I'm looking forward to F1 on BBC because of the dross we have to listen to on ITV but MotoGP on Eurosport is great.
I hope Julian and Toby move to the beeb or wherever the main coverage goes (Sky HD ?)

[Ross Stonefeld]

BBC I imagine. Sky is subscription just like Eurosport so that doesn't fit with Dorna's objectives.

But oddly, we already had dual coverage in the UK. Surely Dorna gets a little bit from BBC and from Eurosport, so why not take two checks for the same feed? I prefer the Eurosport feed so I watch that. I help drive the advertising revenue that must trickle down to Dorna at some point.

[Al.]

What does that mean for me? I'm in Germany and the coverage is on Eurosport (Germany) alone (AFAIK)
The programme runs through the live 125 race to the conclusion of the MotoGP.

[giddyup409]

who are the commentators on motogp.com?

[undersquare]

The British Eurosport motogp commentary is the best of any sport anywhere IMO, Toby Moody and Julian Ryder are brilliant, far better than the BBC team. What a disappointment.

Eurosport are a funny company, very good at some things and no idea at others. They were independent on analogue satellite but never advertised the fact that they were free to air, now part of the Sky package and so a limited audience. Hope they get on the freesat bandwagon, but not holding my breath.

[pRy]

Sad news. I preferred the Eurosport comms over BBC. I guess the BBC could try and grab them but I guess they'd have no room.

[mstar]

WHY IS DORNA DOING THIS!! everyone i know who likes motoGP loves the coverage on eurosport better insight and toby julian, toby and randy are the BEST sports team around!
i hate the BBC silly old farts and suzi who is totally out of depth why dorna why!!!

no doubt the main coverage will be F1 so any clashes etc f1 will get preference so i wonder how much bbc will invest into moto gp!!

sad move and sad times i am very depressed about next year

[Bernd Rosemeyer]

Originally posted by Al.
What does that mean for me? I'm in Germany and the coverage is on Eurosport (Germany) alone (AFAIK)
The programme runs through the live 125 race to the conclusion of the MotoGP.

Hi,

from the article:

"In Germany, a deal has been signed with a privately owned free-to-air channel, giving the commercial network exclusive coverage for three years until 2011. Meanwhile, negotiations are ongoing in France and other major European territories with various mainstream networks; further details will be announced shortly."

[Ali_G]

This is madness.

The Eurosport team are simply the best commentary team in motorsport.

MotoGP was in **** viewership wise in the mid 90's with WSB gaining ground. Eurosport helped them back to where they are today. And then they go and do this ?


I can see Eurosport picking up IRL as Sky Sports couldn't give a rats arse about the series anymore.

[Nova]

Risk not being able to watch motoGP at all. Not a huge sport in Norway so what national channel would even consider sending?

[se7en_24]

Shocking - Toby, Julian and Randy are an awesome team - probably the most professional and adept commentary team in motorsport currently. Hopefully this means Toby will be doing the F1 commentary.;)

[Dolph]

Originally posted by Nova
Risk not being able to watch motoGP at all. Not a huge sport in Norway so what national channel would even consider sending?

No kidding, there goes any chance of watching it in Estonia...

[pacificquay]

I don't often watch motorbike racing, but I have a vague recollection of the Eurosport commentary team including some bloke with an awful speech impediment that made me think he should find an alternative career. Is that Moody or Ryder?

[se7en_24]

Originally posted by pacificquay
I don't often watch motorbike racing, but I have a vague recollection of the Eurosport commentary team including some bloke with an awful speech impediment that made me think he should find an alternative career. Is that Moody or Ryder?

One second I'll just get the keys to my time machine and transport back to the time you watched motorbike racing so I can hear who it was.

[FlashMaster]

Originally posted by Bernd Rosemeyer
"In Germany, a deal has been signed with a privately owned free-to-air channel, giving the commercial network exclusive coverage for three years until 2011. Meanwhile, negotiations are ongoing in France and other major European territories with various mainstream networks; further details will be announced shortly."

perhaps RTL? Hell no !

They'd never show 125 or 250ccm...

[rolf123]

I used to like the trio of Julian Ryder, Toby Moody and Randy Mamola but I think the BBC is way better. Much more exciting stuff.

[noikeee]

Wtf man.

My guess is here in Portugal SportTV will get it, as over the last year they've signed a zillion of series (F1, NASCAR, GP2, A1GP, IndyCars, DTM, ocasionally F3 Euroseries), but even with 3 channels I can't see them having the space to slot in MotoGP live somewhere - there's some 15 games of football and a bunch of other sports to show during every weekend.

Eurosport's MotoGP coverage was great... Very long mornings showing all the races, lots of previews and special features, great commentators, etc etc etc. Today even the free practice was on.

:

[Suntrek]

Originally posted by Nova
Risk not being able to watch motoGP at all. Not a huge sport in Norway so what national channel would even consider sending?

Ditto for Sweden.

Lucky there's always internet stream...

[Perigee]

Originally posted by pingu666
why?
and whats wrong with the bbc coverage?, i like the bbc coverage, i like the eurosport world superbike team too, never bothered to aquire the eurosport version of motogp tho :

Eurosport features 125s and 250s too, full qualifying etc. BBC usually fits in just the main motoGP race.

I prefer the Eurosport commentary too, in the main.

Originally posted by se7en_24

One second I'll just get the keys to my time machine and transport back to the time you watched motorbike racing so I can hear who it was.

Wouldn't it be easier just to wait until th next race

[Ali_G]

Does this mean 125s and 250s won't be covered in UK anymore.

What the hell are MotoGP playing at ?

[pingu666]

they might be on bbci, but thats pretty iffy coverage
i hate the noise 125 and 250 makes, so from a selfish point of view, i dont give a damn

imo they should have eurosport as blanket coverage and do deals with national broadcasters too, like the bbc

[woftam]

Originally posted by giddyup409
who are the commentators on motogp.com?

Nick Harris & Gavin Emmett
Can't remember the new guys name who replaced Bracksy but he is getting better with each race.
We get their commentary through Foxsports in Australia and I quite like them.
However I do get the opportunity to listen to the Eurosport commentators from time to time and agree they bring character and inside knowledge to the broadcast. The 3 of them are probably the best Motogp commentators going around.

[Pikku Pakkanen]

I didn't know the Eurosport coverage would be so important to so many in so many countries. I only watch it when the local broadcasters, Nelonen and JIM (channels 4 and 11), have ad breaks.

The Finnish Eurosport commentators are lousy and the picture is still in 4:3 format. I much prefer the commentators and wide screen of the Finnish channels. Though half of the MotoGP race is usually spent on telephone interviewing Mika Kallio about the 250cc race.

[ex Rhodie racer]

Yeah, it sucks big time. Many Brit viewers are only seeing it from their perspective, but Eurosports appeal was international. MGP will die in many countries and 125 and 250 GP´s in all the rest. Sad day.

[MikeTekRacing]

probably won't be watching it in Romania either
there is a romanian rider in 125, but that's it

[Gecko]

Originally posted by ex Rhodie racer
Yeah, it sucks big time. Many Brit viewers are only seeing it from their perspective, but Eurosports appeal was international. MGP will die in many countries and 125 and 250 GP´s in all the rest. Sad day.

Absolutely, Eurosport is simply covering a much bigger population than just the UK. While we also have our national coverage, the Eurosport one just annihilates it. The already mentioned trio of commentators is simply the best in motorsports, always current, accurate and entertaining. I'm not a big bike fan, but the Eurosport coverage certainly did a lot for me to start watching MotoGP regularly, and losing it will take a lot of enjoyment out of the event for me.

[Zoe]

On the positive side, I'm going to have much more free time on Sundays when I can't watch motorbike racing anymore

Zoe

[Imperial]

Originally posted by undersquare
Eurosport are a funny company, very good at some things and no idea at others. They were independent on analogue satellite but never advertised the fact that they were free to air, now part of the Sky package and so a limited audience. Hope they get on the freesat bandwagon, but not holding my breath.

Eurosport has also always been a free part of the NTL/Telewest package, including all the other cable companies that were bought up and now form part of the pretty mighty Virgin Media service.

If I owned a TV station I wouldn't mind the potential combined audience figures in the UK from Sky and Virgin.




As an afterthought (unrelated to undersquare's quote above) I am indeed curious to see where this ends up. I can't see the BBC taking it at all to be honest. Many of the races will clash with their new for 2009 flagship Sunday sport: FORMULA ONE!!!

Perhaps ITV are going to give it a punt?

[roadie]

When I had access to Eurosport, I too enjoyed their coverage more than the BBC coverage. This is a real shame; Eurosport had amazing motorsport coverage, but now they seem to have lost it all. Still, I guess that gives them more time to feature women's beach volleyball

[Ross Stonefeld]

Not many races clash, and when they do they're usually in different time zones.

[wingwalker]

CRAP!

[EvilPhil II]

Its going to ITV

[Ross Stonefeld]

Don't Dorna and BBC have a deal?

[D.M.N.]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
Don't Dorna and BBC have a deal?

Yeah. If people actually read the article linked in my post at the top, it states:

""This means that in the UK, the BBC will enjoy exclusive coverage of MotoGP next year, whilst in Spain and Italy, where MotoGP enjoys long-term agreements with TVE and Mediaset respectively, negotiations are ongoing about extending coverage to more hours during the weekend."

[halr]

Originally posted by Juan Kerr
That's a real real shame based purely on the fact that Julian Ryder, Toby Moody and Randy Mamola are the most interesting and entertaining trio there is, all three of them have their own input all of which is very interesting and with loads of humour. They're not overly controlled either because eurosport aren't so stuck-up as some other channels.
I'm looking forward to F1 on BBC because of the dross we have to listen to on ITV but MotoGP on Eurosport is great.
I hope Julian and Toby move to the beeb or wherever the main coverage goes (Sky HD ?)

Agreed Im no great motorcycle fan but these guys are so passionate I end up watching pretty much every race on Eurosport

[stevvy1986]

Originally posted by F1Fanatic.co.uk
With Eurosport losing GP2, Champ Car and Moto GP I really hope they now get the Indy coverage off Sky, who can't even be bothered showing all the races live.

not a case of sky not being bothered to show all the races live,its called clashing with the nascar races,and seeing as they have 1 guy presenting both types of racing,they can only show 1 live at once

[Andrew Ford &F1]

I stopped watching MotoGP in 2002, but interest towards the sport began to diminish in 2001. I cheered for Kenny Roberts, when I started following FIM in 1999 and after Kenny failed to get good results and Rossi became the dominant force I lost all my interest completely. I have to agree though that the Eurosport team is the best in the business, shame we they do not work on an F1 covergae:(

I follow F1, IndyCar, WRC, DTM, GP2, EuroF3 and V8 Supercars very closely, so I simply do not have the time to watch MotoGP races. But every time I had nothing to do and there was a MotoGP broadcast I tried to pay some attention, mainly because of the commentators. But even with them my interest could last for less than 10 min. I cannot even remember when was the last time I watched a full MotoGP race. It must have been back in 2001.

[ex Rhodie racer]

Originally posted by Andrew, Ford &F1
I stopped watching MotoGP in 2002, but interest towards the sport began to diminish in 2001. I cheered for Kenny Roberts, when I started following FIM in 1999 and after Kenny failed to get good results and Rossi became the dominant force I lost all my interest completely. I have to agree though that the Eurosport team is the best in the business, shame we they do not work on an F1 covergae:(

I follow F1, IndyCar, WRC, DTM, GP2, EuroF3 and V8 Supercars very closely, so I simply do not have the time to watch MotoGP races. But every time I had nothing to do and there was a MotoGP broadcast I tried to pay some attention, mainly because of the commentators. But even with them my interest could last for less than 10 min. I cannot even remember when was the last time I watched a full MotoGP race. It must have been back in 2001.

WTF was that all about? If you´re not interested in MGP, why are you commenting on this tread?

[Ali_G]

Originally posted by Andrew, Ford &F1
I stopped watching MotoGP in 2002, but interest towards the sport began to diminish in 2001. I cheered for Kenny Roberts, when I started following FIM in 1999 and after Kenny failed to get good results and Rossi became the dominant force I lost all my interest completely. I have to agree though that the Eurosport team is the best in the business, shame we they do not work on an F1 covergae:(

I follow F1, IndyCar, WRC, DTM, GP2, EuroF3 and V8 Supercars very closely, so I simply do not have the time to watch MotoGP races. But every time I had nothing to do and there was a MotoGP broadcast I tried to pay some attention, mainly because of the commentators. But even with them my interest could last for less than 10 min. I cannot even remember when was the last time I watched a full MotoGP race. It must have been back in 2001.

Man, you seem to be bucking the trend of increased ratings for MotoGP. Its now prob the most entertaining racing series around (albeit, it is bike racing which is inherently different to cars).


I would like to think that as BBC will have exclusive coverage, that they will be forced to show all sessions on the red button option.

However, Eurosport used to show all F1 sessions when they had coverage. As of yet, ITV never showed anything except qual and race.

[Ali_G]

Any mention of the current situation during the 125 or 250 race at Assen ?

[Ghostrider]

That sucks. :