News Broadcasting
BBC secures exclusive MotoGP coverage till 2013
MUMBAI: BBC has announced that BBC Sport and Dorna Sports, commercial and TV rights holders of the MotoGP World Championship, have signed an extension to the existing agreement for coverage of MotoGP from 2009 to 2013. BBC Sport will now have exclusive UK rights to broadcast the world’s premier motorcycle championship for the next five years.
The deal includes the rights to show all the races – 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP, plus qualifying sessions. All MotoGP races will be shown live on BBC Television with the 125 and 250 races and qualifying sessions shown live on interactive TV via the red button and online.
As well as the expanded coverage on interactive TV (which 86% of individuals in the UK have), the MotoGP races will also be available as a catch-up service on BBC iPlayer.
The new agreement represents increased commitment and coverage of MotoGP for BBC, and makes the broadcaster the UK leader in motor sport with the world’s premier bike and car events in MotoGP and Formula One.
BBC Sport’s director of sport rights Dominic Coles said, “We are delighted to have secured, for the first time, fully exclusive rights to the world’s premier and most watched motorbike competition. Alongside our recent acquisition of Formula One, BBC Sport has become the home of motorsport in the UK; a one-stop shop for fans of the very best two-wheel and four-wheel, adrenalin-fuelled sport action across TV, radio and online services.
“With James Toseland making a very promising start to his MotoGP career, Bradley Smith shining in the 125s, and Scott Redding making history in that series recently at Donington Park, the future for British riders in MotoGP looks good, and the BBC will be there all the way to tell their stories.”
Dorna MD Manel Arroyo said, “Dorna is delighted to extend its collaboration with the BBC, and thanks to their prestige and their dedication to MotoGP, we are sure that the championship will continue to grow in the UK. We are also happy that fans will not miss out and can continue to enjoy all races and qualifying sessions in the future.”
News Broadcasting
Parikshit Luthra exits CNBC-TV18 after 20-year run
Former bureau chief to take brief pause before next role
NEW DELHI: Senior journalist Parikshit Luthra has signed off from CNBC-TV18, marking 28 February 2026 as his final day and closing nearly two decades with Network18 Media & Investments Limited, including eight years at the business news channel.
During his tenure, Luthra interviewed prominent business leaders and Union ministers, reporting on economic policy, corporate strategy, the automobile sector and financial markets. His coverage spanned key inflection points in India’s economic narrative.
He also led new programming formats such as Newscentre, Global Eye and Global Lens, shows that examined politics and foreign policy through an economic prism, reflecting the channel’s push towards globally linked business reporting.
In a LinkedIn post, Luthra said his final weeks were spent covering the Union Budget, the India AI Summit, India’s trade agreements with the US and EU, and the group’s flagship Rising Bharat Summit 2026. He added that he continued anchoring until his last day and briefly met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his closing assignments.
Luthra joined CNBC-TV18 in June 2018 as assistant editor, later rising to senior editor and chief of bureau, a position he held for over two years. Before that, he worked with Republic TV and CNN-News18.
He said he plans to take a short break before embarking on his next professional chapter.
