MotoGP: 2021 British Grand Prix to be broadcast live on ITV

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be broadcast live on free-to-air television this season with ITV providing the coverage.

The news follows Dorna’s confirmation that this weekend’s French GP at Le Mans will be shown live on ITV4. It’s the first time since 2013 that MotoGP has been available on a free-to-air channel in the UK.

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All three classes – MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 – will be shown on live on ITV4 this Sunday (May 16), however, according to the official release, only the MotoGP race from Silverstone will be shown live in August.

ITV4 became the home of free-to-air MotoGP highlights at the start of 2021, with a comprehensive package covering the best of each race weekend on Monday evenings.

According to TV listings, commentary for the French Grand Prix on ITV4 will be the same as the world feed, with Steve Day and Mat Birt in the box and Simon Crafar in pitlane.

The British round at Silverstone being broadcast on the main ITV channel is a huge boost for the championship. Viewership figures in the UK have fallen in recent years due to BT Sport holding the exclusive television rights. BT took over from Eurosport – and the BBC – in 2013.

If the viewership figures for the French and British rounds of the 2021 season are positive, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that more rounds will be added to ITV’s portfolio. Channel 4 initially ran a similar system for Formula One when it lost its exclusive TV rights to Sky Sports, showing up to 10 selected rounds.

High viewership figures could also further prove the necessity for a British rider to be on the grid in 2022. Cal Crutchlow’s departure has left MotoGP without a Brit for the first time since 2010.

Alongside MotoGP highlights, ITV4 currently broadcasts Isle of Man TT coverage and the British Touring Car Championship.

The 2021 British Grand Prix at Silverstone is due to take place on August 29. It’s not yet known whether any spectators will be able to attend the event. If no fans are allowed, ITV’s coverage could prove to be an even bigger success.