Motors TV to Launch in North America

Motors TV, Europe’s only dedicated motorsports television channel, is set for expansion into the Americas this year, with the network announcing Tuesday that it will launch into both the North and South American markets beginning on Jan. 28.

The channel, which provides live coverage of the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, International GT Open as well as numerous other European-based sports car racing series, will be introduced to the North American market through distribution agency THEMA.

THEMA and AlternaTV, the distribution agency for the Spanish-language version to launch simultaneously in Latin America, will be meeting with all cable and satellite operators at the NAPTE conference in Miami this week to finalize broadcast deals.

“Over the past 15 years Motors TV has proven to be the destination of choice for passionate motorsports fans throughout Europe and the UK and now, thanks to Alterna’TV and THEMA, we can extend our programming feeds into the ideal U.S. and Latin American markets,” said Motors TV founder and CEO Jean-Luc Roy.

“We’re very excited to be expanding into the Americas where European and international motorsport fans are underserved and eager to collaborate with Alterna’TV and THEMA on garnering carriage agreements to remedy that situation.”

In addition to a wide range of sports car racing programming, Motors TV also provides extensive motorcycle and rally coverage, including same-day FIA World Rally Championship highlights.

The channel is currently available to 30 million subscribers across 42 European countries.

Founded in 2005, THEMA works with more than 100 channels worldwide, having created relationships with television platforms in France, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America.

“Motorsport fans are passionate, persistent and incredibly loyal, which also places them in the top tier of targeted subscribers,” said THEMA CEO Francois Thiellet.

“Motors TV can deliver this coveted consumer group with its adrenaline-fueled coverage of international and European car and motorcycle races, not to mention the boat and airplane competitions that are the icing on the cake.

“Motors TV programming is fast-paced, all action, all the time and Americans are going to run to sign on.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John