The Seven Network first broadcast from Mount Panorama at Bathurst in 1963. Despite the network losing its V8 Supercars championship broadcast rights to Ten and Foxtel from next season (read more about Ten and Foxtel’s deal with V8 Supercars here), Seven will continue its love affair with ‘the mountain’ after today announcing it has secured broadcast rights to the 2015 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour race.
In an absolute coup for race organisers, Seven will broadcast the 12-hour race LIVE in its entirety across 7mate and Channel Seven. Coverage will begin on 7mate at 5:55am before switching to Channel Seven for at least the final three hours of the race. A final split between 7mate and Seven will be announced closer to the event commencing. A post-produced highlights package will also be produced for international distribution following the conclusion of the event.
This is the first time in the history of the Bathurst 12 Hour (it was first run from 1991-1994 and then re-established annually in 2007) that the entire race will have been broadcast LIVE in Australia. The last three hours of the 2014 edition was LIVE on SBS ONE, with more than 220,000 people tuning into the coverage. This audience should grow under the new deal with Seven. The race sees a variety of vehicles compete in different classes, including GT3 and GT4 cars. A Ferrari F458 Italia driven by Craig Lowndes, Peter Edwards, John Bowe and Mika Salo won the 2014 race.
Seven’s Head of Sport, Saul Shtein, said:
“We are delighted to be partners with the Bathurst 12 Hour. We have a long and deep association with Mount Panorama at Bathurst.”
Event Director James O’Brien said:
“It is a great vote of confidence that the leading free-to-air TV network in Australia is willing to broadcast live the entire 12 hours of the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour. This is a major boost for our partners, sponsors, supporters and competitors who will receive network television airtime around Australia and for our fans, who will be rewarded for their loyalty to the Event with unparalleled coverage.
Live streaming of the entire race and the full program of support categories and 12-hour qualifying will continue and will be available via the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour website.
The 2015 race will be held on Sunday 8 February 2015.