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ITV pulls MotoGP British GP free-to-air live coverage

ITV has pulled its live coverage of the 2023 MotoGP British Grand Prix owing to a scheduling clash, Dorna Sports has confirmed to Autosport.

For the past two seasons, ITV has aired two MotoGP rounds live on free-to-air television, with the British GP at Silverstone included.

It marked the first time UK viewers have been able to watch MotoGP live on terrestrial television following the broadcasting rights shifting from BBC to BT Sport (now TNT Sport) in 2014.

This has contributed to a decline in interest in MotoGP in the UK, with TNT Sport failing to reach the viewership that the BBC enjoyed during its tenure as the official live broadcaster.

In a bid to boost UK interest, Dorna has allowed two grands prix to be broadcast live on ITV since 2021, with the Italian GP shown on ITV4 earlier this season.

The British GP was due to be shown live on ITV’s main channel, but due to the FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City being brought forward to start at 4pm, the broadcaster has pulled the Silverstone round from its schedule.

First reported in a report from Motorsport Broadcasting, Dorna has confirmed to Autosport that the British GP has been pulled by ITV, who will instead air the Valencia finale in November live.

“Due to competition in ITV’s schedule, we will be showing highlights of the Silverstone MotoGP round but plan to show full live coverage of the season finale in Valencia,” a statement from ITV given to Autosport by Dorna read.

Source: Autosport

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