From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING AND TWI EXPAND GLOBAL TELEVISION COVERAGE OF AMA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – AMA Pro Racing and TWI, the television arm of International Management Group (IMG), have expanded their international television rights partnership. The agreement increases broadcast delivery of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship to more fans worldwide, and now includes the prestigious Daytona 200 as part of the distribution available to international viewers.

“We are pleased with the growth of international television distribution of the AMA Superbike Championship,” said AMA Pro Racing CEO, Scott Hollingsworth. “In only our second year of actively managing TV rights, AMA Pro Racing and TWI have made a significant impact in terms of delivering AMA-branded road racing to TV viewers worldwide. Plus, the inclusion of the Daytona 200 into this package makes it even more attractive to viewers around the globe.”

Currently, fans in Australia, Canada, France, Korea and the United Kingdom can view coverage of AMA racing in their local markets. Approximately 46 million international households can receive coverage. Negotiations with additional distribution networks are underway and will be announced soon.

The AMA Superbike Championship has become the premier road-racing series for production-based motorcycles and both riders and manufacturers benefit from this dramatically-expanded global exposure. Riders from some 17 countries participated in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway and the fan base for the series extends worldwide.

Chris Bradley, Associate Director of Commercial Development at AMA Pro Racing is optimistic about the continued growth of the series. “As a sanctioning body, it is important to consider the popularity of AMA racing both domestically and globally. The demand for our television product internationally is a good indicator of the health and marketability of our sport,” said Bradley.

TWI International Senior International Vice President, Peter Smith shares those sentiments. “We have seen strong interest from buyers and programming directors at top international networks and we expect this to continue,” stated Smith. “The viability of the AMA Superbike Championship is evident and we expect to be able to expand into additional overseas markets.”


About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. Nearly 2 million race fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2002 season. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.

About TWI
TWI is the largest independent producer, packager and distributor of sports program in the world and produces 6,000 hours of original programming each year for distribution to more than 200 territories. It is the program making arm of Mark McCormack’s IMG and has production centers in London, Hong Kong, New Delhi, New York, Seoul and Sydney plus over 40 sales offices around the globe.

TWI’s sports agency collaboration with APTN, SNTV, serves 200 broadcasters worldwide with a reach of 850 million and TWI produces web sites for international brand names like the Brazilian National Football Team, Manchester United, the Chinese Premier League and the Indian Cricket Team.

TWI’s Features and Documentaries Division has a wide range of international successes under its belt including Century, a 14-part co-production with British Pathe and the multi-award winning The Second World War in Colour, which has sold throughout the globe. Its documentary series, Britain at War in Colour, won the British Academy Award for Best Factual Series (BAFTA) in 2001.