C4 WIN RIGHTS TO 2002 WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

CHANNEL 4 have won the UK television rights for exclusive live and recorded coverage of the World Rally Championship from 2002.
The broadcaster has secured a three-year contract for full UK broadcast rights of all 14 rounds of the World Rally Championship, culminating in the British leg, the Rally of Great Britain, with rights holders International Sportsworld Communicators (ISC).
ISC recently acquired the rights to the sport from F1 supremo Bernie Eccelstone and are committed to revolutionising television coverage and marketing of the sport worldwide.
Channel 4 plan to show extensive coverage of the whole championship, with programmes on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each event, culminating in the drama of the final stage on Sunday afternoons. In total, it is anticipated that there will be up to three and a half-hours coverage over a rally weekend.
Michael Jackson, Chief Executive of Channel 4, said: "The World Rally Championship has always been a thrilling and hugely popular event, but new technology means we can now transform the coverage of this classic sport and make it accessible to a wider audience."
Dave Kerr, Channel 4’s Editor of Sport, said: "Just as we have with cricket, our aim as broadcasters will be to give the viewers a greater understanding and appreciation of rallying - the techniques, tactics and sheer nerve required to become the best driver in the world. With two British drivers - Colin McRae and Richard Burns - likely to be challenging for the crown, I think there will be immense interest throughout the campaign."
Chrysalis Television, who provide all the current World Rally programming for global distribution, will also produce the C4 programming. Among their other productions for Channel 4 are Football Italia, Grand Prix Speedway and Top Tens. They also produce ITV’s award-winning Formula 1 coverage. (CD)