ESS extends FIM Superbike World Championship deal till 2018

MUMBAI: Asia?s leading sports content provider ESPN Star Sports has extended its agreement to broadcast the FIM Superbike World Championship across Asia until 2018.

The broadcast agreement includes pay-TV rights for live and delayed races as well as race highlights, in addition to rights for free-to-air broadcast in most markets.

The deal also includes rights for online and mobile coverage via ESPN Player and Mobile ESPN. The broadcast rights cover ESPN Star Sports? footprint including India, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

In the future, the World Superbike calendar will feature two new races - India from 2013 and possibly Indonesia from 2014 onwards - that will be sure to bolster interest in Asia.

ESS VP Programming Nick Wilkinson said, "We are delighted to continue our partnership with World Superbike to continue showcasing the best of motorsport to fans in Asia. ESPN Star Sports is Asia?s home for motorsports and with our stellar line-up of leading sports events, this new partnership underscores our commitment to serve our viewers with top quality sport programming."