BTCC proving a television hit - around the world.

The reach of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is stretching all around the world, and it has registered another increase in UK television viewing where it comprehensively beats the viewing figures of the World Rally Championship that precedes it on UK channel, ITV1.

As well as being televised live in the UK on ITV1 the BTCC receives extensive exposure on satellite channel, MotorsTV.

Elsewhere, highlights of each BTCC race meeting are also shown on television outlets in North and South America, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Canada, China, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, New Zealand, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Last Sunday's live coverage from Brands Hatch saw, a peak audience of 1.341 million people tuned in to watch ITV1's live hour-long BTCC show. By comparison, that is some 400,000 more than watched the World Rally Championship that immediately preceded it.

The latest figure means a consecutive increase in viewers watching the BTCC on ITV1. Live coverage from the opening round at Donington Park on 10 April drew 1.2 million and week-delayed highlights of round two at Thruxton on 7 May attracted a 1.25 million audience. With 1.34 watching Brands Hatch, close to four million viewers have now seen the first three rounds.

Brands Hatch was the second of seven BTCC race meetings to receive live ITV1 coverage in 2005.

"These are terrific figures, particularly at a time when a lot of television programmes struggle to hold a consistent audience," says series boss, Alan Gow. "Our viewing figures continue to climb, which proves the attraction of the BTCC to millions of people around the country.

"The BTCC is now second only to Formula One in terms of four-wheel motor sport popularity on television in the UK. That is a tremendously strong selling point for teams and drivers when negotiating with potential sponsors and underlines the enormous appeal of our championship.

"The feedback we keep receiving is what compelling viewing the BTCC makes on ITV1. Much of that is down to the excellent production work by the team from ISN/Granada Sport and ITV should be applauded for getting behind this great British championship. Of course the action-packed racing we continually deliver guarantees a great viewing experience for the millions that tune in."