CBS and NBC will be broadcasting a total of 4 MotoGP rounds this year

[NHFZ1]

From MotoGP Matters.com

One of the biggest tasks which Dorna has set itself is the conquest of the American TV market. So far, that ambition has only met with limited, though still growing, success. Part of its problems has been that TV coverage of the races has been left to Speed TV, which is only available through cable or satellite providers, and usually involves an extra subscription charge.

In Europe, Dorna is already engaged in a process to switch from satellite broadcasters towards national broadcasters, or at least, to free-to-air terrestrial stations, as witnessed by the recent news that Dorna will not be renewing the broadcast contract with Eurosport in 2009. Dorna would like to pursue a similar policy in the US, but first, the popularity of the sport needs to grow.

To help do just this, Dorna today announced that the major US networks CBS and NBC will be broadcasting a total of 4 MotoGP rounds this year, up from 2007. In addition to the US rounds at Laguna Seca and Indianapolis, the German GP at the Sachsenring and the Czech Grand Prix at Brno will also receive coverage on the networks. CBS will be showing Laguna Seca live on July 20th at 5-6pm ET, along with hour-long same-day delayed broadcasts of the Sachsenring race on July 13th (1-2pm) and Brno on August 17th (2-3pm). NBC will broadcasting the Indy GP live on September 14th at 3-4pm ET.

The hope is that airing the series on network television will allow casual viewers to catch the series, and be captivated by the excitement of MotoGP. For their sake, and for ours, let us hope that the races don't turn into the kind of runaway wins we have seen for the last 3 races.

If they can get some good announcers and not have commercials at the most inopportune times.

[Sport-Touring]

[hobbes]

I believe they did this last year also...now for the big question:


WHERE'S MY HIGH DEFINITION BROADCAST OF MOTOGP?

[1moreroad]

I believe they did this last year also...now for the big question:


WHERE'S MY HIGH DEFINITION BROADCAST OF MOTOGP?

WTF?  CBS can broadcast golf in HD but not bother with motorcycle racing?

[turboderek]

From MotoGP Matters.com
... not have commercials at the most inopportune times.

This seems to happen every race.  Speed comes back from commercial and someone passed for the lead.  

[traveler]

Good news for me, since I'm without cable (personal choice). Haven't seen a MotoGP race since last year's Laguna Seca race.

[Mookie]

Commercials make watching motorcycle races retarded.  No thanks.  I will take the HighDef, hmmmm,  maybe they should broadcast on PBS.

[NHFZ1]

This seems to happen every race.  Speed comes back from commercial and someone passed for the lead.  

The announcers will talk about what a terrific pass it was, and then they don't even show the replay.

[atypical1]

WTF?  CBS can broadcast golf in HD but not bother with motorcycle racing?

Golf is infinitely more popular than Moto GP racing. If we can get more people to watch it then they might broadcast in it.

james

[Leanintree]

Golf is infinitely more popular than Moto GP racing. If we can get more people to watch it then they might broadcast in it.

james

Golf may be more popular, but WATCHING golf? I'd rather watch fungus grow. I love doing it, but watching someone else do it is BOOOOORING.

[atypical1]

Golf may be more popular, but WATCHING golf? I'd rather watch fungus grow. I love doing it, but watching someone else do it is BOOOOORING.

Didn't say it wasn't boring to watch. Did say that it was more popular. They just had some big golf tournament here and they had folks park at the stadium and take a bus to La Jolla for the actual tournament. It was really popular and drew a huge crowd. GP racing simply does not have that draw here.

james

[JonS]

It would be nice if they got some announcers who are higher energy than the norm here. I especially like the SBK guys, but the Euro MotoGp ones are still so much better than the ones we had last year.
  Won't everything be in high def next year anyway? its sad to watch a race on a 50' plasma and not be sure who you are seeing.

[ShawnKing]

  Won't everything be in high def next year anyway? its sad to watch a race on a 50' plasma and not be sure who you are seeing.

Dear God I hope so. I'm in the same position and it's *painful*....

[Mookie]

  Won't everything be in high def next year anyway?

No.  But it will be digital. FWTW

[highside]

It would be nice if they got some announcers who are higher energy than the norm here. I especially like the SBK guys, but the Euro MotoGp ones are still so much better than the ones we had last year.
  Won't everything be in high def next year anyway? its sad to watch a race on a 50' plasma and not be sure who you are seeing.

In Europe, Dorna is already engaged in a process to switch from satellite broadcasters towards national broadcasters, or at least, to free-to-air terrestrial stations, as witnessed by the recent news that Dorna will not be renewing the broadcast contract with Eurosport in 2009.

Looks like the BEST English language MotoGP broadcasting team on the planet is going to be looking for work. Maybe we can pick them up. I don't really understand this move by MotoGP, the Eurosport broadcast team has been THE face of MotoGP to the English speaking world for a long time. (those are the guys you see doing the announcing on "Faster"). Seriously, if you haven't seen a Eurosport MotoGP broadcast, go download one. It will show you what it SHOULD be in this country. These guys follow the circuit to every race, they can tell you how much wine Rossi had the night before the race, they can tell you what Stoner said about Pedrosa's mother, they actually interview experts who tell you what REALLY happened to the Honda at the end of the last race and why the Kawasaki's just aren't very fast. These guys broadcast motorcycle racing the way we broadcast the Superbowl, except that the announcers get to hang out in the locker room and grab a beer with the players before the game.

[DFH]

I believe they did this last year also...now for the big question:


WHERE'S MY HIGH DEFINITION BROADCAST OF MOTOGP?

And from Traveler

Good news for me, since I'm without cable (personal choice). Haven't seen a MotoGP race since last year's Laguna Seca race.

Emigrate to a modern & fully developed democracy. Over here in Australia not only do we get elect all the decision making members of the government, or not have to bother with obtuse and complex imperial measurements, but we even
get all the MotoGP on free to air TV inc 250cc & 125cc ( in HD if the host is delivering in HD). Oddly enough one of the host TV providers that does not deliver in HD is the USA round as your HD system isn't actually.









Have a nice day.....  

DFH  

[DFH]

What, 24 hours & no bites..... thats just no fun at all

If this was the IBA page I could understand such a joyless atmosphere, but this is Pit Row and I expected you folks to be a bit more creative & sporting....

DFH

[TheCloser]

The US announcing debacle continues unabated.  The World Superbike from Miller Raceway was painful to listen to.  Where were Jonathan Greene and Steve Martin when we needed them?  Also, I don't know who the gentleman is who handles MotoGP but he is outstanding as well.  Perhaps the lesson needs to be learned from the Versus Channel when they had Al Trautwig and Bob Roll doing a horrendous job at the Tour de France until they realized the drama, passion, and excitement created by the best in the business in Phil Ligget and Paul Sherwen.   Good announcers can have an accent and still be effective.  It sure beats being insulted by the current US announcing crew.

[photomd]

 

So is CBS airing the German round next weekend? It ain't poppin' up on the TiVo schedule.  

[Mr Sunshine]

Yes CBS is doing the German round.  Already locked and loaded to record.

[photomd]

Yes CBS is doing the German round.  Already locked and loaded to record.

Thanks Chris...it was listed under 'Motorcycle Racing', not 'MotoGP'.  

Now I'm all set.