The commercial power of audi...LMS no longer on MotorsTV

[boycieboy]

It seems that the powers at Audi (and maybe Peugeot) have managed to get the LMS and Le mans 24 hr TV coverage moved from Motors TV to Eurosport
So I wonder how much coverage they will give it? Not as much as Motors TV did I'm sure!

I will be at Le Mans this year so will see it live however, I'm sure there is a lot of people that would of followed it all on Motors TV (like I did last year!)
Eurosport (if you get it) showing the pre race build up and the whole 24hrs non stop...can't see it myself.

This is a extract from the Forum post;
'As the manufacturers take a closer interest in the LMS, the series itself has also stepped up to the plate. Barcelona joins the calendar as the season opener on April 6, followed by Monza, Spa, Nurburgring and Silverstone. The sixth race has been shelved in favour of the proposed Shanghai race on November 1, though this addition to the calendar has been roundly criticised by manufacturers and organisers alike. Patrick Peter wanted to return to Brazil with a race worth 50 per cent more points than a standard round, and an automatic Le Mans entry for the class winners. He believed he could have guaranteed 36 cars this year, and has scrapped the rule that awards half points if there are too few entries in any class. Full points at all races for the LMS, then, and television will switch from Motors to Eurosport for both Le Mans and the LMS.'


Full forum post here - CottonBalls

At least people can still listen to Radio Le Mans

[slartibartfast]

good job i'm going this year then, i watched shed loads of it in 07 and that's the reason for going.

Paul

[awtong]

I have been to the race the last few years, as I am this year but always record a lot of the Motors footage to watch back. Always liked their coverage, but can't say I am a fan of Eurosport.

[AlexS]

Eurosport used to cover LeMans and it was a real half hearted effort. They just had too much other sport to show to be able to devote significant time to the race.

[Vixpy1]

AlexS said:

Eurosport used to cover LeMans and it was a real half hearted effort. They just had too much other sport to show to be able to devote significant time to the race.

They have a few more channels now though, I really hope they do non stop coverage! The motors effort was always great!

[E36GUY]

That sucks. Bet Eurosport won't do the blanket coverage that Motors do.

[t1grm]

Are they covering Le Mans itself or just the LMS? Technically there are two seperate series/events. I only see the LMS mentioned there.

[ph1l5]

WHAT.. Motors TV coverage was great, even for free practice and qualifying.

[nickliv]

Audi have their own bloody channel. (Sky 884) Couldn't they run the whole thing on there (Unbiased coverage, obviously) Or would they get too many complaints from management consultants who like to watch programmes about the A5?

[BigDaveTheMighty]

From Autosport today...

Live TV coverage returns to Eurosport

By Steven English Monday, March 3rd 2008, 11:05 GMT

Live television coverage of the Le Mans 24 Hours will return to Eurosport this year after the broadcaster signed a three-year agreement with Le Mans organisers the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO).

Eurosport has won back the rights to live coverage from Motors TV and will show the race in its entirety on the Eurosport and Eurosport 2 channels.

There will also be live streaming of the race, with commentary, on Eurosport's websites across Europe.

Eurosport will also show all five Le Mans Series 1,000km events during the season.
The deal will bring live coverage of the 24 Hours to 112 million homes in 59 European countries.

Eurosport Asia-Pacific will also show non-stop live coverage of the race in Asia and Australia.



They'll be showing the whole race by the sound of things - so not all bad. Just a bit of channel hopping involved probably.

[boycieboy]

BigDaveTheMighty said:

They'll be showing the whole race by the sound of things - so not all bad. Just a bit of channel hopping involved probably.

Can't see it being a good coverage, most comments I read about Eurosport say that it is usually rubbish.

Also, it's OK if you have Europort! Never bothered myself as IMO they don't show enough Motor Sport to justify the payment (not interested in football, cricket etc)

Her in doors wont be able to watch any off the 24hr though while I'm there, maybe it's best not to tell her yet! I will just have to bore her stupid with it all when I get back

BigDaveTheMighty said:

Live television coverage of the Le Mans 24 Hours will return to Eurosport this year after the broadcaster signed a three-year agreement with Le Mans organisers the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO).

Only 3 years to wait, then we can watch decent coverage on Motors TV again

[Red Firecracker]

boycieboy said:

Can't see it being a good coverage, most comments I read about Eurosport say that it is usually rubbish.

Tut tut Mr Boyes.

Without the original Eurosport coverage, I doubt there would have been a Motors TV show. I suspect it'll be exactly the same though. They'll pick up the Garlic-vision transmission and no doubt Martin Haven et al will be back to commentate, so the only difference is probably going to be the logo in the top left hand corner of the screen.

I will now retire to reminisce and get misty eyed remembering the old days of Eurosport F1 coverage with Allard Kalf and John Watson. Ah, when satellite TV were all fields..........

Eurosport is actually very very good for motorsport. WTCC, WSBK and MotoGP to name a few

On a slightly similar note, I can heartily recommend GT Racer on Dave*. Bunch of guys with way too much disposable income racing classic GT's on circuits all over the world. Lovely.

• The ad man who came up with that name change fully deserves his bonus. Take UK TV Gold 2, a channel that was basically dying on its arse, change its name to Dave and watch the viewing figures go through the roof! Inspired. I am awaiting the rebranding of ITV to 'Waynetta' to continue the theme.

Edited by Red Firecracker on Monday 3rd March 20:13

[boycieboy]

Red Firecracker said:

boycieboy said:

Can't see it being a good coverage, most comments I read about Eurosport say that it is usually rubbish.

Tut tut Mr Boyes.

Without the original Eurosport coverage, I doubt there would have been a Motors TV show. I suspect it'll be exactly the same though. They'll pick up the Garlic-vision transmission and no doubt Martin Haven et al will be back to commentate, so the only difference is probably going to be the logo in the top left hand corner of the screen.

I will now retire to reminisce and get misty eyed remembering the old days of Eurosport F1 coverage with Allard Kalf and John Watson. Ah, when satellite TV were all fields..........

Eurosport is actually very very good for motorsport. WTCC, WSBK and MotoGP to name a few

OK, point taken, would prefer it on Motors though as it would cost me nothing!
Most comments I have read did say it is rubbish (Daytona 500 etc) as I haven't got it myself I wouldn't say it was my opinion

[Vette_1978]

Doesn't look too bad.......except the adverts for Champions League Handball and endless sponsor plugs. No mention of practice or scrutineering coverage though????? Although I'm there all week so what do I care!

http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-03-...

The Eurosport Group has signed a three-year agreement with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) to broadcast the "Le Mans 24 Hours" races in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The legendary event is back on Eurosport with extensive and unique LIVE coverage. The deal includes both the broadcast of the prestigious car racing event held in June, plus coverage of the motorcycling event in April together with all five events of the "Le Mans Series", the great 1000km endurance series*.

Unbeatable LIVE coverage

The combined power of Eurosport, Eurosport 2, Eurosport Asia-Pacific and Eurosport's websites will offer unbeatable LIVE coverage of the "Le Mans 24 Hours":

 Non-stop LIVE coverage of the race with 7 hours on Eurosport and 17 hours on Eurosport 2.
 Non-stop LIVE coverage of the race on Eurosport Asia-Pacific.
 Non-stop LIVE video streaming of the race, with commentaries, on Eurosport's websites across Europe.

The "Le Mans 24 Hours" motorcycling race will also have comprehensive LIVE coverage on Eurosport, Eurosport 2, Eurosport Asia-Pacific and Eurosport's websites, while all the events in the "Le Mans Series" will be broadcast during the course of the season.

Laurent-Eric Le Lay, Chairman, Eurosport Group says, "We are delighted to have the most famous car racing event in history back on Eurosport. The Eurosport Group will offer unique LIVE coverage thanks to our powerful multimedia platform, guaranteeing the highest exposure for the event in 112 million homes over 59 countries in Europe. Eurosport Asia-Pacific will also bring the magic of the "Le Mans 24 Hours" to Asia and Australia. This agreement with ACO will enhance Eurosport's exceptional motorsports offer, which features more than 1000 hours each season."

Jean-Claude Plassart, President, ACO adds, "We are extremely happy that our fans across Europe and beyond will enjoy the unprecedented live coverage of our events on Eurosport's platform. Moreover, the fact that all "Le Mans" events will benefit from such large exposure throughout the whole season is excellent news for the development of our brand".

• The 2008 calendar- Le Mans 24 Hours - Motorcycling race : 19 and 20 April

- Le Mans 24 Hours - 14 and 15 June
- Le Mans Series: Catalunya (4-6 April), Monza (25-27 April), Spa (9-11 May), Nürburgring (15-17 August) and Silverstone (12-14 Septembre