Huge Asia TV view for Hamilton V8s

Motorsport fans in Asia will be watching the V8s zoom around the streets of Hamilton next month after V8 Supercars signed a broadcasting deal with broadcaster ESPN Star.

The deal could see up to 339 million subscribers from 24 countries including China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and the Philippines switch on to the race.

The coup follows another significant deal signed between Speed Channel in the US which has 79 million subscribers.

V8 boss Tony Cochrane said the races could almost be seen all over the world and would raise Hamilton's profile on the international stage.

"That is the sort of television penetration that money just can't buy," Mr Cochrane said.

Hamilton City Council marketing and communications general manager Michelle Smith said it was a fantastic opportunity to further promote the city as a tourist and events destination particularly to the Asian market where the New Zealand city would have had little exposure.

"Where the V8 race is positioned if you get an aerial shot you would also see the river and all the lovely greenery around it," she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News