MBC Group, the Saudi-owned free-to-air (FTA) broadcaster, has become the latest network to acquire rights to off-road motor racing’s inaugural hydrogen-based Extreme H World Cup event.
The deal, covering the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, includes rights to air Extreme E’s ‘Final Lap,’ an event being held this weekend to mark the end of the electric series before it transitions to hydrogen.
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MBC will then broadcast the inaugural Extreme H World Cup from October 9 to 11, which will feature Saudi-owned team Jameel Motorsport.
Both events are being staged in Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City.
Along with live races, the agreement includes highlights, preview shows, and behind-the-scenes features that will be provided in English, Arabic, and Fasi.
Ashraf Younis, director of MBC3 and MBC Action, said: “Extreme E and Extreme H are unique, forward-looking sports properties that align perfectly with our vision to bring innovative, world-class entertainment to our audiences.
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By GlobalData“With the opening round of Extreme H taking place right here in Saudi Arabia, and a Saudi team competing on the grid, this is a proud moment for our region. We are excited to showcase these thrilling championships and introduce fans across the MENA region to the future of sustainable motorsport.”
MBC is the latest in a long-running list of broadcasters that have signed up to air Extreme H, including global sports streaming service DAZN, which will provide worldwide FTA coverage via its platform.
Earlier this week, the series secured a partnership with Dutch sports broadcaster Ziggo Sport, while adding Mexico and Central America to its US rights agreement with Fox Sports.
Coverage in Asia will come via SPOTV, the pan-regional pay-TV network, which will air the World Cup in Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Hong Kong, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
In July, the series landed a major broadcast partnership with media giant Warner Bros. Discovery to provide coverage of the series in more than 50 territories across Europe via its Eurosport channels, with UK and Ireland coverage coming via its TNT Sports network.
The series then secured further coverage in the UK through a separate agreement with commercial broadcaster ITV.
In May, Extreme H announced a significant rights deal in India with Sony Pictures Network, stretching across linear and digital platforms, and secured international sports broadcaster ESPN for coverage in Latin America, covering Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.
Italian broadcaster Mediaset, meanwhile, has also struck a deal to cover the 2025 Extreme H season, after holding the rights to Extreme E since 2021.
