Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) has been awarded the official broadcast rights for the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship
in the Middle East and North Africa.

The announcement was made at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Bahrain's national station has the rights to broadcast the entire Formula One season, starting this weekend with the first round in Melbourne, Australia.

Racing officials yesterday described Bahrain's success in landing the official broadcast rights for the as a major coup.

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) chief executive officer Martin Whitaker yesterday highlighted the significance of the deal.

'Bahrain TV's role in being the official broadcaster of the championship in the Middle East and North African territories is significant to say the least,' he told a Press conference at the BIC yesterday.

'Broadcasting the most watched sport on television is a massive opportunity to promote the kingdom and the tourism and business opportunities that exist in both the kingdom and the region.

'Last year's Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix was the second most watched race on the calendar and the race saw a sell-out crowd with more than 47,000 people in the circuit on race day.'

He added that audience figures for each race weekend exceed 500 million people around the world.

'Coupled with direct and indirect economic impact figures on the kingdom approaching $560 million during race week, this makes Bahrain's round of the championship extremely valuable and demonstrates the massive potential of the race to both the country and the region in general,' added Mr Whitaker.

BRTC chief executive officer Shaikh Rashid bin Abdul Rahman Al Khalifa said he hoped the station would provide the 'best possible coverage' of the major event.

'As the first race of the season lies just days ahead, we look forward to giving our local and regional viewers the best possible coverage of a championship that the kingdom has become so deeply engrossed in,' he said.

The first round of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship is set to start this weekend in Melbourne, Australia.

It will take place tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday and can be watched live on Bahrain Television's satellite TV Sports Channel 1 in Arabic and Sports Channel 2 in English.

Throughout the year, viewers will also be able to tune into the Formula BMW Series, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, GP2 Asia Series and Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series.

Bahrain Television will continue to broadcast local races and championships over the racing season.-TradeArabia News Service