With Liberty Media acquiring MotoGP, some questions arise about the future – such as the aspect of television rights and the broadcasting model. According to Dorna’s CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta, pay TV is here to stay, and it is currently inconceivable to return to free-to-air television.
In statements to the website GPOne.com, the executive stated: ‘With the costs we have now, free-to-air television simply cannot pay for the rights we receive from pay TV with advertising. This is what allows us to cover 50 percent of the costs of each MotoGP team’.
Asked if at least the Sprint races could be broadcast for free, Ezpeleta said it is a matter to be discussed, without imposing obligations:
– It will be discussed, but I don’t like to force anyone. It’s better to come to agreements, but it also depends on different markets. Free-to-air television can be a very good option to then subscribe to pay TV, but you have to find a balance.
What will also not happen, assured the Spaniard, is the joint negotiation of MotoGP and F1 television rights or a streaming service: ‘There will not be for now [a common streaming service]: it’s like going to the bar, if you have a beer and a coffee you pay for both [laughs]. However, the television rights of F1 and MotoGP will not be sold together‘.
