ITV Sport unveiled its plans for Formula One motor-racing, which comes to the channel in March this year.
Murray Walker, who thought it was all over when the BBC lost the rights to Formula One, remains the ‘voice’ of motor-racing, as ITV takeover coverage of this glamourous sport. Walker will broadcast from the commentary box with former F1 driver, Martin Brundle. Brundle will give a driver’s eye view of what is happening and why.
Alongside Jim Rosenthal, in the on-site presentation studio, will be Simon Taylor, former BBC radio commentator and Tony Jardine, previously the BBC’s pit lane reporter.
The races themselves will be combined with news, interviews, features, analysis and gossip from the fast lane. James Allen who comes to ITV from the ESPN network and Louise Goodman, formerly of the Jordan team, will be catching all the pit, paddock and garage action.
Texaco, have signed a three year sponsorship deal for the F1 programmes. The first year sponsorship costs are in excess of £3.4 million. This includes all on-air promotions for the sport. F1 Racing magazine has become ITV’s official magazine partner. The title that launched less than a year ago now has over 100,000 readers and is welcoming Murray Walker to its team of columnists.
ITV refused to disclose how much was paid for the rights to Formula One. Although ITV Network Controller, Marcus Plaintin said that they hoped that the deal will bring a new advertising audience to the channel.
The coverage kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix. The race will be shown live in the early hours of Sunday, March 9, and will be preceded by a special Formula One night on ITV; including a Clive James interview with Damon Hill. There will be 5 advertising breaks in each race and Murray Walker conceded that this will break his flow.
The coverage is brought to ITV by a specially appointed production company MACh1. This is a consortium comprising United News & Entertainment a parent company of Anglia Television and Meridian Broadcasting and Chrysalis Sport. MACh1 was formed specifically to bid for ITV’s coverage of Formula One.
ITV: 0171 843 8217
Texaco: 0171 719 3000
F1 Racing Magazine: 0181 943 5905
