> Japanese commentary and live TV coverage confirmed from Round 2
> Sepang’s season opener to be aired delayed-as-live
Japan’s premier sport-focused TV network, J SPORTS, has agreed a new deal with SRO Motorsports Group to broadcast the 2022 Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS campaign.
While the opening event at Sepang will be aired delayed-as-live on July 10, the remaining five rounds and 10 races held at Suzuka, Fuji, Sugo, Okayama and Mandalika will all receive comprehensive live coverage with Japanese-language commentary on one of J SPORTS’s four TV channels.
Central to the agreement is the new Fanatec Japan Cup, a championship within a championship for local drivers and teams that encompasses the country’s four Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS events.
J SPORTS already boasts a significant live motorsport portfolio. Its international coverage includes the FIA WEC, FIA WRC and FIA Formula E championships, while its domestic output is headlined by the high-profile Super GT and Super Formula categories.
J SPORTS broadcasts over 5,000 hours of live sport each year. The channels are available in 5.7 million households nationwide over satellite and CATV platforms, while significant additional reach is achieved via its on-demand digital OTT platform, J SPORTS On-Demand.
Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia, Europe, America and Australia races will also remain available with English commentary across Japan via SRO’s GT World YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, J SPORTS has extended its exclusive TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa live broadcast agreement for another two years. Its new deal with SRO Motorsports Group ensures the world’s biggest GT3 race will remain available on television in Japan in 2022 and ’23.
Benjamin Franassovici, Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS General Manager: “Partnering with J SPORTS was one of our priorities when establishing the new Fanatec Japan Cup. The concept alone has already helped secure a sizeable entry for Suzuka and beyond, but the addition of live TV coverage on the country’s premier sports network with native commentary represents an important element within the overall product. J SPORTS already has a loyal motorsport fanbase thanks to its impressive portfolio of national and international series. As such, there is no better broadcast partner for our Japan-focused continental championship.”
Ichiro Hase, J SPORTS Corporation President: “We are truly thrilled to extend and expand our long-standing partnership with SRO Motorsports Group. J SPORTS is the ‘home of motorsports’ in Japan, and we are absolutely delighted to be broadcasting this incredible series this season and to offer our viewers coverage of every minute of the heart-pounding action live. The circuits will be filled with enthusiastic motorsports fans for the Fanatec Japan Cup and we are very much looking forward to competitive races at home.”
Round 2 of this year’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS season, as well as the first Fanatec Japan Cup event, takes place at Suzuka on July 15-17.
2022 CALENDAR
May 20-22 // Sepang International Circuit // 2x 60min races
Jul 15-17 // Suzuka International Circuit // 2x 60min races (inc. Japan Cup)
Jul 22-24 // Fuji International Speedway // 2x 60min races (inc. Japan Cup)
Aug 19-21 // Sportsland Sugo // 2x 60min races (inc. Japan Cup)
Sep 23-25 // Okayama International Circuit // 2x 60min races (inc. Japan Cup)
Oct 21-23 // Mandalika International Circuit // 2x 60min races