Maybe not as the below press release refers to cable and satellite rights ;)

SONY BAGS WORLD RALLY RIGHTS

AXN, Sony Pictures Television International's action-adventure network, has secured rights to the 2004 and 2005 Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile World Rally Championship (WRC) from International Sportsworld Communicators.

The deals will gives AXN exclusive cable and satellite rights to transmit 16 WRC international events in Asia, Latin American, Europe, Japan and the Middle East in 2004.

Covering the events in highlight shows, magazine formats and seasonal specials, the total number of programme hours dedicated to WRC adds up to 42 hours for both 2004 and 2005.

AXN and ISC are also planning to produce a spin-off lifestyle show titled WRC: Shakedown (wt) to premiere worldwide in March 2004.

Aimed at the 18-34 male audience, AXN beams series, films, sports events and reality programmes in 87m homes across 46 territories.

Maria Esposito
14 Nov 2003
© C21 Media 2003

About time too perhaps we can have some decent coverage and not in the small hours of the morning!!

It would also help if they can learn to keep to schedule...ulike Eurosport!

too right, don't they realise that all of this year's coverage was broadcast either while we were at the rally, or at midnight when we had to be up at 5 the next day!!

to be fair I normally try and stay up for the rest of the stages coverage, but half the time end up asleep on the sofa (my little eyes need matchsticks after a day at work!)

that doesnt affect CH4 as its satelite chanel related only.

Hope this is for the better but remember CH4 were ultra enthusiastic about WRC at first and look how dross they are now.
Although Jeremy Hart would drive viewers away from any show. Tw*t

Whilst the C4 coverage is much better than we used to get with the BBC (at least in respect of the overseas rounds), their policy of shifting the sport around in a completely random fashion reminds me of the latter years of their Tour De France coverage.

If it wasn't for TiVo, I'd probably have missed a fair amount of the coverage this year.