Launched in 2004 with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, creator and organiser of the Le Mans 24 Hours, Le Mans Series, has successfully managed its TV Distribution internally.
The races of the last three years have given rise to the notoriety and credibility of the series to which the 24 Hours of Le Mans has entrusted its heritage.
After this third season, where the five races averaged more than forty cars on each starting grid, the Le Mans Series has certainly found its place in the motor racing world.
Peugeot are back in endurance racing, challenging the supremacy of Audi in the discipline. Pescarolo Sport are once again determined to prove that they are not afraid to take on the giants.
With all this in addition to the arrival of numerous new challengers, the 2007 season will doubtless be even more attractive and competitive.
In order to maximise this exciting prospect Le Mans Series and the ACO have decided to appoint TWI (the Worldwide agency already in charge with the Le Mans 24 Hours TV distribution) to handle the Le Mans Series TV distribution from 2007 onwards.
The recently agreed 3-year deal will thus allow TWI to sell both the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Le Mans Series TV rights as a package. This will doubtless contribute to the strengthening of the media exposure of both series.
2006 TV coverage / data (as of 11 October 2006)
The below figures will increase until the end of the year.
-More than 800 million homes reached
-More than 14 million viewers per race
-More than 75 million viewers over the season (including the Year end season review programme)
-More than 40 broadcasting channels / 200 countries
-More than 400 broadcasts
-More than 400 hours coverage
2006 Le Mans Series Key figures
-160 drivers of 26 nationalities
-44 teams of 11 nationalities
-An average grid of 40 cars
-An average of 33 teams per race