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Following the confirmation that ITV has secured the terrestrial television rights for the British Superbike Championship this season, it has been revealed that coverage of the series will breach the 250-hours mark in 2009.

With the opening round of the series just over a week away, BSB has confirmed its extensive television package, topped by British Eurosport 2’s live coverage of all 12 rounds, which will total 55 hours alone.

In addition, there will be same-day 90 minutes of highlights, while the BSB ‘Extras’ show will go beyond the headlining Superbike series and focus solely on the support classes. In all, British Eurosport 2 will provide 190 hours of programming, presented by Tony Carter, and including Jack Burnicle and James Whitham in the commentary box.

New for 2009 will be ITV’s coverage of the BSB after it was announced they would be compiling a highlights show of the action for broadcast the following week through their ITV4 Freeview service. Further repeats on ITV1, Men & Motors and their delayed +1 service all contribute to bring the total coverage up to a record high.

In addition, both Eurosport and ITV will be bringing their programming to the online masses with on-demand viewing through their respective ‘Player’ services.

“I am thrilled to be able to announce what amounts to the biggest ever TV package for a British motorsport series,” said MotorSport Vision’s Jonathan Palmer. “In Eurosport we have a partner who holds the complete TV bike sport portfolio of BSB, MotoGP and World Superbikes whilst ITV ensures that BSB is on a free to air network and available to the widest possible audience.

“The combination will ensure that each of the BSB events will receive over twenty hours of broadcast coverage which is great news for fans, the teams and very importantly their sponsors."

(Source: uk.eurosport.yahoo.com)