Television viewers get more live V8 Supercars in

V8 Supercars Media Releases

Television viewers get more live V8 Supercars in 2008

Source: V8 Latest News

Australian television viewers and particularly those in South Australia are guaranteed even more live action than in the record-breaking 2007 following the release of the Seven Network broadcast schedule.

Following on from a record 22 million total viewers across the season last season, the Seven Network promises to deliver an even better product in the coming season.

The coverage begins with the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide this weekend when the sport returns for 2008. Aside from the television viewers more than 280,000 people will attend the Clipsal 500 over four days.

The 2008 broadcast schedule rectifies an unavoidable situation for South Australian viewers where a clash with AFL last season meant some races weren’t scheduled on television until later that night.

The situation drew strong criticism from the massive V8 Supercar support base but despite every effort Seven and V8 Supercars were unable to resolve the situation.

“We have fixed that problem as part of the overall learning process of last year,” V8 Supercar Television Executive Producer Murray Lomax said.

“In all there are lots more new features in store for 2008 but in all the most important objective is improving the telecast year on year to give the viewer the best possible package.”

Seven was delighted with the first year of broadcast and in particular the stunning ratings increase from the previous year.

“We are delivering, and there’s more we will do,” Seven Network Head of Sport Saul Shtein said.

“Like the sport itself, our coverage is all about continuous improvement, finding that extra element that further strengthens our coverage across every round of the Championship.

“We move into 2008 with plans to further expand on our commitment to V8 Supercars, the fastest growing sport in Australia.

“In 2008, Seven will be doing even more with our plans to broadcast more than 160 hours of V8 Supercars and the sport’s support categories – the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series, V8 Utes, Carrera Cup and Formula Ford – along with the second season of our dedicated television program focusing only on V8 Supercars.”

The 2008 Broadcast Schedule:

Date

Event

SYDNEY

MELBOURNE

BRISBANE

ADELAIDE

PERTH

Feb-23

Clipsal 500

1300 - 1730

1230 - 1700

1300 - 1730

Feb-24

Clipsal 500

1300 - 1730

1230 - 1700

1300 - 1730

Mar-08

Eastern Ck

1630 - 1800

1530 - 1700

1600 - 1730

1430 - 1630

Mar-09

Eastern Ck

1300 - 1730

Apr-19

Hamilton

1400 - 1730

Apr-20

Hamilton

1200 - 1500

1300 - 1600

1500 - 1730

May-10

BigPond

1400 - 1730

May-11

400

1300 - 1730

Jun-08

Sandown

1600 - 1730

1330 - 1500

1600 - 1730

1200 - 1330

1630 - 1800

Jun-09

Sandown

1300 - 1730

Jul-05

SKYCITY TC

1400 - 1730

Jul-06

Darwin

1300 - 1730

Jul-19

Queensland

1400 - 1730

Jul-20

Queensland

1200 - 1500

Aug-02

Winton

1330 - 1700

1400 - 1730

1330 - 1700

1400 - 1730

1130 - 1500

Aug-03

Winton

1130 - 1300

1200 - 1500

1130 - 1300

1200 - 1330

1200 - 1500

1600 - 1730

1630 - 1800

Sep-13

L&H 500

1400 - 1730

Sep-14

Phillip Island

1200 - 1730

Oct-10

SCA

1300 - 1600

Oct-11

Bathurst

1200 - 1700

Oct-12

1000

0700 - 1800

0630 - 1730

0500 - 1600

Oct-25

Coffee Club

1200 - 1800

1130 - 1730

1100 - 1700

Oct-26

Challenge

1100 - 1800

1030 - 1730

1000 - 1700

Nov-07

Desert 400

2330 - 0100

Nov-08

Bahrain

2230 - 0130

Nov-09

Replay

1400 - 1700

Nov-22

Falken TC

1400 - 1730

Nov-23

S Plains

1400 - 1730

Dec-06

Oran Park

1400 - 1730

Dec-07

Grand Finale

1400 - 1730

# Times are correct as at release date 19/2/2008

Some key facts from 2007 (Source OzTam):

· The average age of a viewers is 42 and the median is 38 (AFL average age is 47 and median is 44).

· Probably the youngest-skewing mainstream sport on television.

· 7 out of 10 Australians watched V8 Supercars at some stage in the year.

2007 viewing summary (Source: Mitchell Media)

Total People Metro – 000’s

Year to date Rounds 1-14

2006 2007 % Growth YOY

Metro – Sat 4,081 5,530 36%

Metro – Sun 7,005 8,575 22%

Total 11,086 14,105 27%

Total People Regional– 000’s

Year to date Rounds 1-14

2006 2007 % Growth YOY

Regional – Sat 2,087 3,115 49%

Regional – Sun 4,351 4,707 8%

Total 6,438 7,822 21%

Total People – 000’s

Year to date Rounds 1-14

2006 2007 % Growth YOY

Metro/Regional – Sat 6,168 8,645 40%

Metro/Regional – Sun 11,356 13,282 17%

Total 17,524 21,927 25%