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In a new and significant rights agreement between Infront Motor Sports and Eurosport Group, the leading sports entertainment media group in Europe has acquired the TV and digital rights to the FIM Superbike World Championship (SBK) for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons, including support classes FIM Supersport World Championship and FIM Superstock 1000 Cup.

This pan-European agreement includes all 59 territories covered by Eurosport.

The new agreement with Eurosport Group, a longstanding broadcast partner of the world’s leading production motorcycle racing series for more than 10 years, will strengthen World SBK coverage significantly by offering an increased number of Live broadcasts and broader pan-European coverage. 24 out of 26 races will be shown live or delayed on either Eurosport or Eurosport 2.

Each season, a total of 140 broadcast hours on Eurosport and Eurosport 2 will be dedicated to the three championships. The European rounds will also be available in high definition on Eurosport HD and Eurosport 2 HD.

Digital rights include all races from all championships including the Superpole qualification to be broadcast live and in full on Eurosport's online viewing service. The agreement also includes VOD, Catch-up TV and mobile rights.

Laurent-Eric Le Lay, Chairman, Eurosport Group said: “We are fully committed to World Superbike, which is positioned as the top motorcycling series covered by Eurosport. Building on a strong and successful 10 year relationship, we are delighted to renew this partnership and bring our coverage to a new level. With more LIVE broadcasts, HD quality transmission and complete digital rights, Eurosport will continue to offer millions of European motor racing fans the best World Superbike coverage ever across all of our media platforms: TV, online and mobile."

Paolo Flammini, CEO of Infront Motor Sports said: “This is a very important broadcast contract which will benefit fans, manufacturers, teams and all commercial partners. We are satisfied that Superbike coverage in Europe will be significantly improved from the 2010 season onwards, and we see this as a major step in further raising the profile of the world’s leading production motorcycle racing series.”

Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront Sports & Media, added: “This agreement sends a signal to the market, that Infront delivers what it promises, even under challenging market conditions. Over the past two years, we have continually enhanced and improved this important motor sports property in most commercial areas. In particular we have raised the number of worldwide broadcast territories overall by 31 to 175 and improved the quality of the host broadcast as well as broadcaster servicing.”

International signal in HD

Starting half way through the 2009 season, Infront has introduced a true innovation in the field of global motorcycle racing with the arrival of HD coverage of the Superbike World Championship. The last seven rounds were available in high definition exclusively on Eurosport HD, the high definition simulcast of Eurosport.

From 2010 on, the international television signal for all European rounds will continue to be in HD format. The HD standard allows TV viewers to appreciate every detail of the television cameras pick up during the races. Bikes, riders and all the atmosphere of the circuit appear more true to life and realistic, with perfect colours and exceptional depth of field.