BT Sport have finally confirmed their on-screen line-up and coverage details ahead of their first season broadcasting MotoGP in the United Kingdom. The broadcaster picked up exclusive rights for the sport on a five year deal last May and is promising the most extensive and innovative coverage the U.K. has ever seen.
TV presenter Melanie Sykes will anchor the live coverage, presented on-site at every Grand Prix, with former MotoGP riders and World Superbike champions James Toseland and Neil Hodgson joining her. Keith Huewen and Julian Ryder will be reunited in the commentary box while Motorcycle News chief Grand Prix correspondent Matt Birt will also be alongside them. Gavin Emmett, previously the Dorna world feed commentator, will be reporting throughout the weekends.
Along with live coverage of every single session from Moto3’s first practice session to the MotoGP race itself, BT Sport will produce an hour-long weekly programme shown at 8pm every Tuesday. “MotoGP Tonight” will be hosted by Craig Doyle and Iwan Thomas with guests joining the pair each week. The launch of the channel’s MotoGP coverage will come on March 18 with a special preview show, including interviews and action from pre-season testing.
BT Sport are also promising an exciting second screen experience via the BT Sport app with seven alternative camera views available including four on-board feeds and live timing and tracking screens. Head of BT Sport Simon Green is confident the coverage will provide viewers with the most complete service they have ever seen.
“It’s really exciting to be launching such a thrilling new sport on BT Sport, with a tremendous new team and what we believe will be a fresh approach to MotoGP and some fantastic new shows. MotoGP is the top, two-wheeled motorsport. It’s massive in the UK and we’re heading into it at full throttle and following every second of the action. We’re sure we’ll appeal to committed fans, but we also think we will win over and welcome new fans to the sport.”
