Petronas & ESPN team up to provide F1 2010 coverage for Malaysians
Formula 1 fans in Malaysia can look forward to extensive coverage of the 2010 season as broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports has teamed up with Petronas to bring LIVE telecasts of all 19 races this season, starting with the Bahrain GP this weekend.
Coverage for this season, which will see the return of Michael Schumacher to the fray and also the debut of Lotus Racing team, will be carried via television, online, and mobile platforms region-wide. In addition, Malaysian viewers will also get High-Definition broadcast via the recently-launched ESPN HD channel.
Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, General Manager, PETRONAS Motorsports notes, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with ESPN STAR Sports for the live broadcast of the Formula One championship in Malaysia and the region. In reflecting the best of partnerships, we are confident that this is a relationship that allows both parties to leverage on each other’s strengths to further promote Formula One across Asia.”
Mr Charles Less, Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales, ESPN STAR Sports added, “Malaysia is a passionate motorsport nation and with so many new exciting elements to this season, we expect viewer interest in this year’s Formula One to hit fever pitch. We are proud to continue our partnership with PETRONAS and to complement PETRONAS’ active involvement in Formula One, we aim to deliver even more exciting coverage of this year’s highly-anticipated season. We will broadcast more than 600 hours of F1 content in 2010, starting with all the races being shown Live on ESPN HD. Complementing the on-air broadcast will be the Live and authoritative online coverage and video content on espnstar.com as well news and updates on mobileESPN.”
Statistics show that there were nearly 3.5 million viewers following coverage of the 2009 Formula 1 by Star Sports, with strong interest from young viewers of particular note.
According to an official ESPN press statement issued to Autoworld, “STAR Sports will broadcast more than 600 hours of F1 content in 2010 with comprehensive F1 coverage on its pre and post-race sports presentation, Race Day and Chequered Flag hosted by Paula Malai Ali and Steve Dawson.”
The statement also added that, “For the first time ever in Asia, the F1 live broadcasts will also be shown in High-Definition on ESPN HD.”
