THE Australian Racing Group has confirmed its new streaming and broadcast deal with Stan Sport and free to air offering with the 9Network for the 2022 season.
Stan Sport, Nine Entertainment’s streaming service, will carry live, ad free and on demand coverage of every race of ARG rounds, which will now run under the SpeedSeries banner, and be held over seven rounds and feature ARG’s six categories.
The SpeedSeries will become the overarching brand of ARG’s categories and events.
TCR, S5000, GT World Challenge, Trans Am, TCM and a revived Australian V8 Touring Car Series will be included in the SpeedSeries and feature on the Stan Sport coverage.
The Bathurst 6 Hour and Bathurst International are also included in the arrangement.
The exact nature of the all-important free-to-air element of the deal remains slightly vague, today’s press release announcing the deal referring to highlights of every event to also air on the ‘9Network’ in the week following the round.
V8 Sleuth sources suggest this will consist of a two-hour highlights package in primetime on 9GEM mid-week post-round and a two-hour highlights package on 9GEM the following weekend.
What is confirmed is that free to air coverage will air on the 9Network (presumable 9GEM) for Round 1 from Symmons Plains in Tasmania concurrently with the live Stan Sport coverage.
“The SpeedSeries is a fantastic addition to our growing lineup of exclusive Motorsport and highlights our approach to bringing premium content to Stan Sport customers all year round,” says Stan Acting Chief Executive Officer Martin Kugeler.
“This partnership will see the SpeedSeries become the cornerstone Australian Motorsport content on Stan Sport, in addition to our recently secured international lineup including INDYCAR, WEC, WRC and Formula E. The SpeedSeries is Aussie motor racing at its best, and we are thrilled to be partnering with ARG in an exciting new chapter.”
Supercars Media and Gravity Media will supply production services for the SpeedSeries telecasts.
Hosts, commentators, and reporters for the new coverage are yet to be announced, today’s release announcing the Stan Sport deal shedding no light as to who will fill the roles just over a week out from the first telecast.
The opening round of the SpeedSeries, Race Tasmania, will be at Symmons Plains in Tasmania next weekend, on February 11-13.
