BBC Sport NI to broadcast the North West 200 until 2029

BBC Sport NI has extended its partnership with the Coleraine and District Motor Club to broadcast the Briggs Equipment North West 200 for a further three years. The new deal will run from 2027 until 2029, when the race event will celebrate its centenary year.

The extended deal means that race fans will be able to enjoy BBC Northern Ireland’s dedicated coverage of the world-renowned event across its platforms including live world-wide streaming of all the practice sessions and races.

The North West 200, Northern Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event, attracts the world’s most talented road racers and tens of thousands of race fans from all corners of the globe, coming to watch the action around the famous 8.9 mile circuit.

BBC Sport NI will continue its comprehensive coverage across race week including live streaming of all the races and practice sessions on BBC iPlayer, and internationally, on the BBC Sport NI website.

BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Foyle will also have live audio commentary of all the races on Thursday evening and on Saturday with a dedicated race day programme also on BBC Radio Ulster on Saturday afternoon.

Fans can relive all the action across three highlights programmes on BBC Northern Ireland television and catch up via BBC iPlayer. “The NW200 is a renowned global event synonymous with Northern Ireland and it’s fantastic that we’re extending our partnership right up until its centenary in 2029.”  Adam Smyth, Director of BBC NI, said. We’ve had a long relationship with Mervyn Whyte  and the Coleraine and District Motor Club and we’re looking forward to bringing race fans, across the UK and around the globe, the thrills and passion of the NW200 races as well as providing audiences around the world with a glimpse of the spectacular north west coastline.”

“The BBC Sport NI coverage of the Briggs Equipment North West 200 has been instrumental in helping us to elevate the international reach and status of the event.” Mervyn Whyte, Event Director, North West 200 said. “That coverage has also allowed us to convey the excitement and spectacle of both the racing and Northern Ireland’s beautiful north coast to a global audience. As we plan for the celebration of the North West 200’s centenary in 2029, we are delighted to be continuing our longstanding relationship with BBC NI.”

Asked by BBC Sport’s Stephen Watson about the importance of the BBC coverage of the North West 200, Glenn Irwin, the NW200 Superbike race
wins record holder., said: “The BBC coverage is incredible for the North West. Obviously it’s so widely accessible. It puts the North West onto a global platform. I’ve benefited from it as well when I didn’t come one year. I was in England and I watched you talking us all through it. I love participating in the interviews, the vibe. I love how people can watch
it in the live streaming all the time. We’re already on the map with the North West 200, but it puts it in front of people’s faces for loads that can’t make it over. It’s that type of event. It should be
able to be watched on demand because it’s one of the best events in the world.”

Briggs Equipment North West 200 Event Director, Mervyn Whyte pictured BB NI Sports, Stephen Watson as a new three year broadcast deal of the north coast event was announced .

PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON