'Greenlight' For Dundrod's Global Audience

Northern Ireland motorbike racing is really accelerating with news of a major agreement for TV coverage that is to introduce a global audience to the exciting sport in the Lisburn area.

Greenlight Television and the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club have agreed terms to bring the prestigious Ulster Grand Prix (UGP) to a worldwide audience over the next three years.

This is to be fronted by BBC Sport NI's own Stephen Watson with expert analysis from 14-times UGP winner Phillip McCallen, both pictured here with Brian Reid, former motorcyclist and winner of nine UGPs and two times F11 World Champion, Cameron Donald, current rider for Relentless Suzuki for TAS Racing team.

Both parties are also delighted to have secured the ongoing and increased support of BBC Sport NI who will deliver exposure across all of its platforms.

Alongside added support from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board the coverage will also enjoy a number of enhancements over and above that of previous years.

For the first time the UGP will have live coverage on the Internet, stunning aerial footage from a stabilised helicopter-mounted camera, and will continue to enjoy Greenlight's 'signature' on-board cameras that take viewers almost literally onto the pillion seat during the races.

Northern Ireland viewers will be able to watch two, one-hour highlights programmes on BBC1, and for the first time, live video from the whole of the race day will be available on the BBC Sport website.

Highlights programmes will then be broadcast on BBC NI and be available later on the BBC iPlayer while coverage of the Dundrod 150 and various feature stories filmed throughout the week will also be available online.

They heard at the recent launch that live video coverage would also be available to spectators at the event via giant screens in the paddock and at Leathemstown spectator area.

BBC Radio Ulster will provide live radio coverage throughout the day presented by Joel Taggart with post-race analysis from Liam Beckett.

Race commentary is to be provided by Larry Carter, Adrian Coates, Richard Petrie and Michael Swan.

BBC NI Sports Editor, Shane Glynn said: "The Ulster Grand Prix is one of the biggest events in not only the local road racing calendar, but the local sporting calendar.

"I'm delighted that BBC NI, in partnership with Greenlight TV, will be bringing our audiences enhanced coverage for the next three years across TV, radio and online of what I'm sure will be a fantastic day’s racing.

"Two one-hour highlights programmes, live online streaming of race day, and live coverage of race day on Radio Ulster is a comprehensive package of output, underlying our commitment to the event, and befitting the importance and history of the Ulster Grand Prix," he said.

Worldwide, extensive distribution outside Northern Ireland guarantees the UGP a showing in 70 countries around the world, putting it into 500 million households.

The long-term contract brings stability to the event as well, allowing the organisers to plan for the future and develop commercial opportunities with local partners.

Noel Johnston of the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club said he's excited by the prospect of taking the UGP to a new level: "We are delighted to have a new contract in place which will not only give fans of road racing a great opportunity to see more of the race, but will also allow coverage of the Ulster Grand Prix to be broadcast to a much wider audience than in previous years."

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said that road racing is part of the sporting and cultural fabric of Northern Ireland.

"I hope that visitors to the 2010 Ulster Grand Prix enjoy the event, and get the opportunity to explore Northern Ireland and discover what makes it so unique. Events such as this really help to build the profile of Northern Ireland," he commented.

Greenlight is also delighted to have moved its long-standing relationship with the Ulster Grand Prix onto this new footing, with David Beynon of Greenlight Television commenting that he is delighted with the package: "We believe that the live coverage of the event combined with extensive national and international exposure will elevate this great event still further."

(BMcC/GK)