Superbike – Almost 500 million overall audience

Television coverage of the 2010 HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship increased its audience by 33% compared to 2009. With over 3.000 hours of broadcast, the latest edition of the world championship for production-derived maxibikes reached an overall audience of 498 million television viewers. Online interest is also increasing, with the official website recording a 30% increase in the number of unique visitors compared to 2009.

Broadcast in 175 countries

The 2010 World Superbike Championship, which took place on circuits across four continents, was broadcast in a total of 175 countries. In addition to Italy, where the championship is a fixed and prestigious point in the annual sports calendar, the viewing figures were notable throughout Asia, as well as in South Africa, Australia, Brazil and the United Kingdom. Overall, live television coverage increased by 18%.

The 2010 championship was broadcast across 94 channels, including Eurosport (Europe), ESPN Star Sports (Asia), Supersport (Africa), Speed ​​Channel (USA) and Al Jazeera (Middle East), for a total of 3.015 hours of worldwide viewing. On average, each of the 13 rounds generated 223 hours of coverage and was viewed by a combined audience of 40 million people.

More than 35 million visits to www.worldsbk.com

The increase in popularity of the Superbike World Championship is not only indicated by the TV figures but also by the growing demand for additional online content. The website www.worldsbk.com is today a point of reference for all news and data relating to the championship. Fans appreciate the new design and improved navigation as well as the real-time information and video streaming section. As a result, the number of unique visitors reached 4 million in 2010, while total visits increased to over 35 million.

Interaction between SBK and its fans is also increasing on other new media platforms. The official SBK channel on YouTube has seen a total of 11,6 million views and the fan community on the official SBK Facebook profile is constantly growing, thus further multiplying the impact of the championship.

Greater value for sponsors

Whether on television or on the web, the growing popularity of the Superbike World Championship is good news, not only for the sport and its fans, but also for the partners involved. In the 2010 season, the Title Sponsor HANNspree and the Top Sponsors Pirelli and Alfa Romeo were guaranteed over 400 hours of brand exposure from television coverage. The various opportunities for online interaction help to further improve the contact between fans and the brand.

Paolo Flammini, CEO of Infront Motor Sports said: “The worldwide television distribution and viewing figures for the 2010 FIM Superbike World Championship clearly demonstrate the value of the championship as a communications platform for established brands as well as new ones. Its growing fan base and awareness of the championship provides sponsors with an effective platform to reach an attractive target demographic in our sport."

Extended HD coverage with onboard cameras

The 2011 season will consist of 13 rounds starting from February 27, the date of the opening race at Phillip Island, Australia. As promoter of the championship, Infront manages not only media and marketing rights but also controls the new media and television production of the championship for the host broadcasters. In 2011, television viewers will be able to enjoy increased HD (high definition) coverage including the introduction of new onboard cameras, which are sure to make watching the World SBK races even more compelling.

The FIM Superbike World Championship

The Superbike World Championship is the main world championship for production-derived maxibikes. It is a rapidly growing championship and one of the most popular among fans, manufacturers, television broadcasters and commercial partners. It is promoted by Infront Motor Sports in Rome, of the Infront group and sanctioned by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM). The 2011 season will be the 24th in the league's history.

SBK Press Office