V8s warn Ten to sign new deal..........

[retro]

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0...-23770,00.html

V8s warn Ten to sign new deal
March 19, 2005

V8 Supercar racing has launched itself into the AFL television rights battle, warning long-time TV partner Channel 10 to sign a new V8 deal soon or risk losing the sport to another network.

Ten's rights to the V8s expire at the end of 2006 - the same time as Australia's most sought-after TV sport AFL.

With Ten aggressively chasing AFL for 2007 and beyond in a partnership with Seven, V8 boss Tony Cochrane said his sport would not be waiting to see what happened before negotiating its deal.

Ten has been given until the first week of August to exclusively negotiate with the V8s before the rights are offered to other networks.

"We are very confident we are big enough and important enough to go ahead," Cochrane said.

"We're not hanging back to see what might be the fallout of AFL.

"We are a significant player on television in this country.

"Television networks rely on live sport to really drive their demographic base, particularly males 19 to 39.

"That's a key market for us. I'm sure all three networks know that, and I'm sure Fox Sports know that as well."

Ten has held the V8 TV rights since the V8-Super Tourer split in 1997.

Figures show V8 Supercar racing is Australia's third most watched television sport behind AFL and cricket.

The V8s signed two new international television deals today, with overseas cable TV channels Motors TV and EuroSport set to televise the sport.

Meanwhile, Holden is negotiating with General Motors in China to run one of its V8 teams under another GM brand, Buick, for the Shanghai round of the championship in June.

A Holden spokesman said talks were underway to re-name one of its teams Team Buick for the race.

Buick is GM's brand in China, with Australian-made Holden Statesmans re-badged and sold as Buick Royales there.

It is believed Rick Kelly and Garth Tander's HSV Dealer Team is likely to be chosen for the temporary switch.