Grand Prix broadcast rights are sold separately in each country, and it is always the one offering the highest amount that wins, regardless of the number of viewers.
This simple principle ensures the organizer of the World Championship the highest possible income, which makes economic sense. Dorna belongs to the Bridgepoint financial group, whose aim is not to promote motorcycle sport, but to maximize the capital invested by its shareholders.
There is therefore nothing to criticize on a business level, but the disadvantage of the system is that the number of viewers watching the Grands Prix is in free fall. In the United Kingdom, for example, broadcasting took place on the BBC unencrypted, as was previously the case in France on TF1 (then with Michelin as a partner), France Télévisions and M6, in turn. Then came NT1 on TNT from 2009 to 2012, in parallel with paid broadcasting on Eurosport, much more complete with tests and the three races.
Across the Channel, around a million people watched the GPs on the BBC (free) and Eurosport (pay). Then we moved to live broadcast on BT Sport, with around 200 spectators, and a summary on Monday on ITV000 (around 4). This last figure was clearly insufficient to satisfy ITV250, but also Dorna which can now offer Cal Crutchlow, Scott Redding, Bradley Smith and Sam Lowes in the MotoGP field. Furthermore, Dorna is investing a lot to develop future British talents with the British Talent Team which will feature John McPhee in Moto000 this year, to then welcome the winner of the British Talent Cup which will begin in 4.
A new agreement has just been reached with Channel 5 for the broadcast of MotoGP unencrypted on Monday evenings, at prime time. Wouldn't this be an example for France to follow?
