Sky NZ completes worldwide broadcasting deal for ARG and SMAC events

Sky New Zealand has inked a deal to be the exclusive broadcaster in New Zealand for the Australian Racing Group (ARG) and Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships (SMAC) in 2021.

The deal ensures that all six ARG and SMAC events, plus the Bathurst International, will be seen live into the homes of New Zealand race fans.

Known as the home of motorsport in New Zealand, the likes of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, VHT S5000 and more will join a long list of global motorsport properties that are shown on the popular Sky Sport network.

The Kiwi deal concludes a suite of worldwide deals allowing access to the ARG and SMAC events for fans wherever they are. Australian viewers can watch the action via Seven, with free-to-air channel 7mate and its streaming option 7plus.

Australian viewers can watch the action via the screens of Seven, with free-to-air channel 7mate and its streaming option 7plus.

New Zealand coverage will be seen on Sky Sport, while all other international viewers won’t miss a moment thanks to internationally renowned livestream broadcaster Motorsport.tv.

For viewers of the Boost Mobile Race Tasmania event, starting Monday, fans will see the likes of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, S5000, Touring Car Masters and the National Trans Am Series, plus other local support races.

Through this the year, a great variety of other racing categories will be seen, including the GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge and more.

The ARG and SMAC events will visit some of Australian motorsport best circuits, including Phillip Island, Sydney Motorsport Park, Sandown Raceway and the world famous Mount Panorama at Bathurst.

BROADCAST TIMES, BOOST MOBILE RACE TASMANIA

MONDAY, JANUARY 25

AUSTRALIA
7mate – 3:30pm-5:30pm AEDT
7plus – 12:00-6:00pm AEDT

NEW ZEALAND
Sky Sport – 12:00-6pm AEDT

INTERNATIONAL
Motorsport.tv – 12:00-6pm AEDT

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26

AUSTRALIA
7mate – 11:00am-4:00pm AEDT
7plus – 11:00am-5:00pm AEDT

NEW ZEALAND
Sky Sport – 11:00-5pm AEDT

INTERNATIONAL 
Motorsport.tv – 11:00-5pm AEDT

QUOTES

Sophie Moloney
CEO, Sky New Zealand 

“We are pretty excited to be adding this fantastic suite of motorsport events to the Sky grid in 2021,” said Moloney. 

“Races will feature expert and emerging drivers and their crews, and fans in Aotearoa will be able to chart their journeys in what promises to be an incredible season of racing.  

“We’re looking forward to the first races next week.”

Matt Braid
CEO, Australian Racing Group 

“I’m looking forward to TCR this year. After sitting on the sidelines for most of 2020, it will be great to get back to the track,” said Russell.

“It’s great to have Chaz on board with us. He is obviously a great driver and an excellent person to have around the team. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

“And of course, Chaz presents an excellent opportunity to get some strong results. We saw in 2019 with Garth (Tander) that the Audi is capable to running at front, so we’re looking forward to see what Chaz can do in the pack.

“It’s also great to have Bostik on board for the test today and the opening TCR round too. Bostik has supported our Audi GT3 program and they are a strong partner to have.” 
 

Michael Smith
Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations, Motorsport Australia 

“The 2021 Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships will be one of the biggest and best yet and today’s announcement further highlights the growing stature of these events,” Smith said.

“Together with the Australian Racing Group, we’re really excited to provide motorsport fans both here in Australia and New Zealand, as well as around the world, with live access to a huge range of categories and drivers who will all be eager to put on a show.

“With Race Tasmania taking place this weekend, we can’t wait for the racing to get underway before moving to the first Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships event at Phillip Island in February as part of the Australian All Wheels Race Fest.”