BTCC announces live <I>ITV</I> deal for 2004.

Organisers of Britain's premier motorsport series, the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship, today announced a major development for the season ahead with the news that host broadcaster, ITV, is significantly increasing its coverage of the championship in 2004.

The new TV package is an important step forward for the BTCC, with planned live coverage of up to 50 per cent of next season's rounds on the broadcaster's prime network terrestrial channel, ITV1. Those rounds not being screened live, will be shown the following Sunday afternoon in a one hour BTCC highlights programme.

Series Director, Alan Gow, was delighted with the improved deal, commenting: "This is an incredibly positive development for the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship and we are thrilled that ITV is increasing its support for the series with live coverage in 2004. We are continually looking at ways to improve the appeal of the BTCC and this is fantastic news for everyone associated with the championship - manufacturers, teams, sponsors and, most importantly, our fans."

The renewed deal between the BTCC and ITV will see an increase in air time of around 30 per cent over 2003. With live coverage continuing to be shown on the UK and pan-European satellite channel, Motors TV, the new package further underlines the BTCC as being UK motorsport's most prominent and widely watched championship.

Gow confirmed: "All BTCC programmes will now be scheduled on Sunday afternoons, and we will work closely with ITV to refine the final format of each programme. But our one overriding objective is to deliver the very best in motorsport action to the millions of viewers."

Jim Raven, managing director of ITV-Granada Sport, added: "ITV has identified the BTCC as a key element of our sports scheduling, and the importance we place on the BTCC is clearly demonstrated by our increased commitment to the championship. F1 and BTCC are the cornerstones of ITV's motorsport coverage, with both championships providing our audience with the same qualities of being the most exciting, enthralling and prestigious motorsport championships."