The government has awarded the TT TV contract from this year onwards to Greenlight Television.

Examiner readers first knew of the deal on January 16, when we broke the news that North One had lost the tender.

A consortium led by island-based Greenlight Television, and supported by local firms SES and Duke Marketing, has won the deal.

It will be the host broadcaster for the TT Races and Classic TT from 2018 onwards following a recent tender process.

Greenlight Television is one of the world’s leading motorsport television producers and, as well as previous experience on the TT Races, the company’s portfolio includes more than 140 events each year around the world, including the Monaco Historic Grand Prix and the North West 200 Road Races.

Greenlight Television operates a full post-production facility in the island.

The immediate post-race editing will take place there.

The company also has an office in Salford’s Media City as well as a North American operation.

SES is the market leader in HD and UHD satellite broadcasting. SES delivers more than 80 UHD channels globally and plays out more than 500 hours of live sports, including the English Premier League, daily for broadcasters worldwide. Duke Marketing, a local company that has operated the official Isle of Man TT website on behalf of the Isle of Man Government for the last 17 years, is also part of the consortium.

Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise, said: ’Television production is an integral part of both the commercial programme for the TT and Classic TT Races and our opportunity to promote our historic events, and the Isle of Man, to a worldwide audience. I am delighted that an organisation so intrinsically involved with the Isle of Man will be heavily involved in its successful delivery. Everyone associated with the TT Races is looking forward to ushering in a new era for the event with this appointment.

’In awarding the production contract to Greenlight Television it is appropriate that we acknowledge the high standard of work that the incumbent, North One TV, has delivered over the last nine years.’

David Beynon, director of Greenlight Television, said: ’We are all delighted to have been awarded the host broadcast contract for the Isle of Man TT Races and Classic TT Races for the next five years. Both are unique and iconic events in their own way and we look forward to working with the organisers, officials and riders to deliver exciting and engaging programming from them.

’The Isle of Man has provided a spectacular backdrop to the heroic deeds of racers for 110 years and we will be making the most of the unique opportunity this presents to reflect both a glorious past and a breath-taking future.’