FEBRUARY 19, 2003

Network 10 confirms Australian TV deal

Australia's Network 10 will be the covering Formula 1 this year in Australia and will kick off as the host broadcaster of the Australian Grand Prix. The company replaces Channel Nine which had the F1 coverage last season. Ten will have an all-Australian commentary team featuring host Bill Woods, who fronts all the channel's motorsport activities, recently-retired racer Neil Crompton, who has been a commenator and driver for many years and 500cc motorcycle legend Daryl Beattie will be the reporter from the pits.

Network 10 has a reputation for its coverage of motorsport and has been angling for the F1 deal for some time.

"Since 1997, Network Ten has raised the profile of televised motor sport in Australia to unprecedented levels," says Tens's general manager David White. "We have given events regular time slots and approached coverage in a novel, often ground-breaking manner to achieve consistently high - and growing - ratings. We'll apply the same commitment to Formula 1."

Australian viewers will be able to enjoy all the European races immediately after the high-rating Sunday night movie. In addition Network 10 is committed to raise the profile of F1 in Australia with its Sports Tonight and RPM magazine programmes.