The 2005 Television coverage details for the Renault championships have been revealed and the good news is that there is an increase in airtime for fans of the series. In addition to the live Motors TV coverage, regular highlights programme Motorsport UK will give extra airtime to both the Clio Cup and the Formula Renault championships.

Full story from Renaultsport UK

RENAULT CHAMPIONSHIPS RECEIVE 2005 AIRTIME BOOST ON ITV1

Terrestrial television coverage on ITV1 of the 2005 Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin and ELF Renault Clio Cup will have a welcome hike in airtime of at least 10 per cent, thanks to a new agreement with Granada Sport.

Together, the two high-profile Renault UK championships are to receive an excellent 35 per cent share of available airtime through ITV1’s Motorsport UK magazine programme, which is provisionally scheduled to begin on Sunday, 5th June.

Last year, almost seven million people tuned into the ITV1 coverage of Formula Renault UK and ELF Renault Clio Cup – an unprecedented increase of around three million armchair enthusiasts – and with the confirmation of Renault’s increased airtime share in 2005, hopes are high of even bigger audience numbers this year.

The new 2005 contract also confirms Renault UK’s impressive position in relation to its rivals on the support-package of the British Touring Car Championship, with only a 65 per cent portion of airtime remaining to share between three other series.

Porsche Carerra Cup will also receive an equal 35 per cent share of the broadcast time available on Motorsport UK, meaning Formula Renault UK and the ELF Renault Clio Cup will receive a significantly larger chunk of airtime than respective chief rival categories Formula BMW and the SEAT Cupra Championship.

Diana Binks will once again anchor the coverage throughout 2005 with commentary by the highly respected Ben Edwards.

Speaking on the agreement with ITV1, Renault UK’s Motorsport Manager Tim Jackson said: “We’re delighted with our new ITV1 deal and the increased airtime share of 35 per cent is a tremendous boost to both our championships. The importance of terrestrial coverage cannot be underestimated.

“Motorsport UK has provided us with superb coverage over the last three seasons and we’re very happy to continue our partnership with ITV1 again this season. To attract seven million viewers in 2004 was a remarkable achievement for any national motor racing series and we’re confident we’ll see even bigger audience increases this year.”

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