Benfield Sports International Secures Three Year Danish TV Deal

Benfield Sports International (BSI) today announced a three year deal with Denmark’s leading national broadcaster Danmarks Radio (DR) and foremost cable and satellite broadcaster DK4.

The agreement will see both the FIM Speedway Grand Prix Series (SGP) and the FIM Speedway World Cup (SWC) transmitted live on DK4 with DR broadcasting a one hour highlights programme the following day.

‘There is no doubt that the Series has been instrumental in reviving speedway as a sport in Denmark,’ comments Jorgen-Steen Nielsen, Head of Sports, Danmarks Radio, ‘We have been broadcasting the Series for three years and seen the interest continue to grow. The move of the Danish Grand Prix to PARKEN stadium is indicative of how the popularity has increased and this new agreement confirms our dedication to world championship speedway. We’re looking forward to working with BSI, riders and officials to maintain and increase the quality of the television events.’

As well as transmitting the SGP Series, DR, DK4 and Danish production company Primevision will work together to be the host broadcaster for the three years.

Confirming the deal, John Postlethwaite, Chief Executive, Benfield Sports International said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for the Series. Broadcasting both live on a leading cable and satellite channel like DK4 and having a highlights programme on DR gives us the stature a national broadcaster brings. It’s particularly exciting when three of the permanent riders in the GP are Danish. We are looking forward to working with both DR and DK4 to continue improving the SGP Series as a television spectacle.’

DK4, CEO, Stig Holbøll Hasner said: ‘The SGP Series is one of the most exciting live television sports events and we are delighted to secure this deal with Benfield Sports International. Combined with the resurgence of the sport in Denmark, the move to PARKEN and the performances of the Danish riders in both the SGP Series and the Speedway World Cup the future of world championship speedway as a live television event is very bright.’

Ole Olsen, FIM Race Director, said: ‘It’s going to be a fantastic year for the Series in Denmark with the new DR and DK4 deal, the Danish GP moving to PARKEN for the first time, the hosting of the Speedway World Cup and three Danish riders in the Series, there hasn’t been news as exciting as this about speedway in Denmark for over 10 years.’

For more information contact:
Nicola Sands, Media Manager, Benfield Sports International
Tel: +44 (0)207 578 7453, E-mail: nicola@benfieldsports.com