11 maart 2009RTL, RTBF and RTVM: a solid coverage of the two national championships
With just over one month before the kick-off of the Belgian Touring Cars championship (BTCS) and followed shortly after with the Belgian GT Championship, we now have full clarity regarding the television coverage of these two championships. In this day and age TV not only plays an important but at times a decisive role for importers, sponsors and drivers; hence the good news regarding the extensive presence of both these championships on TV.
Starting off with the major French speaking channels; namely RTBF and RTL. Both these channels will be covering the meetings of both championships in their respective programmes, “AUTOmobile” on RTBF La Une (Friday evening and repeated on Saturday noon on La Deux and again on Sunday morning on La Une) and “Moteurs” (Thursday evening on Club RTL, with a repeat on Sunday morning on RTL-TVI, (which is also available on cable in the Flanders). These items last roughly 6 minutes.
“We also have an agreement with RTBF to allocate roughly one minute on the BTCS races in their ‘Weekend Sportif’ on Sunday evening (18.30hrs)”, Christian Lahaye (PRC Group) explained. “In addition to that there will also be additional programmes of roughly 26’ following the 12 Hours of Spa and the 25 Hours Fun Cup (with amongst others the BTCS, as also the VW Fun Cup). All this in addition to the specific programmes relating to the VW Fun Cup on other channels.”
Promoter of the Belgian GT, Patricia Indekeu, is also working hard on a top rated TV agreement regarding live transmission of the 24 Hours of Zolder to be shown on RTBF.
But there is more. Both the Belgian GT Mediagroep Van Dyck and the BTCS will be guests this season on RTVM, which groups the national stations in Flanders. This large group of national stations has a viewing potential of several million on an annual basis. A brand new programme, “Motors” (transmissions will start at the beginning of April) will shortly see the light of day and the programme will be transmitted no less than three times per week.
“This new programme is based on the RTBF “Moteurs” programme, however the Flemish interviews and items will be the in the hands of a reputable and experienced Flemish motorsport journalist”, an RTL-TVI source confirmed. “The viewing figures will surprise quite a few – with a total of 26 broadcasts and with an estimated 300.000 viewers.”
This initiative is an undoubted boost for the impact of the Belgian GT and the BTCS in the Flemish region of Belgium.
“We are also extending our deals with Motors TV and Sport V, who will be broadcasting a 25 minutes resume per meeting of the Belgian GT”, Patricia Indekeu continued. “This means we’ll be reaching no less than 18 countries on the box.”
Taking into consideration the importance of TV for all parties concerned within the BTCS and Belgian GT these TV deals should definitely not be underestimated. One thing is for sure; motorsport aficionados will no longer have to search far and wide to find their favourite championships on TV.
