Advanced Television

Live FTA coverage for British GTs

March 9, 2017

UK free-to-air sports channel Front Runner is to broadcast live, season-long and free-to-air coverage of the prestigious British GT championship, marking the first time that all UK rounds will be shown live for the first time. The arrangement also the MINI Challenge support category.

Launched in October 2016, Front Runner is the UK’s first and only free sports channel. It is currently available in 19 million homes across the country via Freeview, FreeSat, TalkTalk, YouView, BT and Sky’s television services.

Spa-Francorchamps, British GT’s only race outside the UK, isn’t covered by Front Runner’s deal, but the channel’s live coverage returns in time for Brands Hatch’s penultimate round of the season on August 6th. Donington Park then closes the campaign – and most likely decides this year’s champions – on September 24th.

Front Runner’s output also includes lifestyle and documentaries from the worlds of motorsport, ice hockey, professional fighting and poker. However, British GT and MINI Challenge are the channel’s first season-long live motorsport signings.

UK viewers can watch Front Runner on Freeview channel 91, FreeSat 250, YouView/TalkTalk/BT 91 and Sky 468.

British GT Championship Manager Benjamin Franassovici: “This is fantastic news for British GT & MINI Challenge, their drivers and teams, who together with Front Runner now have a platform capable of reaching millions of new and existing fans. It’s really exciting to be bucking the trend of motor racing, and sport in general, by offering live free-to-air coverage throughout our 25th anniversary season. There’s nothing quite like seeing Ferraris, Aston Martins and Lamborghinis battling for real on track, while the manic MINIs also add thrills and spills to proceedings, but at least now anyone unable to attend our races needn’t miss out on the action at home.”

“We’re delighted to be broadcasting live British GT and MINI Challenge coverage on Front Runner,” declared Front Runner’s Ryan Scarratt. “I’m sure motorsport fans everywhere will be tuning in to watch all the action as it happens this season. Offering more live sports is certainly an area of focus for us this year: we screened the 24H Series Dubai live in January; live darts is coming to Front Runner screens this month; and there will be British GT in April. There are exciting times ahead for sports fans across the UK.”

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