Extreme E extends broadcast deal with TV Malta

Electric off-road racing series Extreme E has agreed a broadcast extension with TV Malta (TVM). The Gwardamanġa-based public broadcasting station will televise Extreme E’s live races, plus review, preview and magazine shows, both in Maltese and English on its free-to-air channel.

TVM is the most popular channel in the country, holding a membership of the European Broadcasting Union, and features a wide-ranging mixture of news, sport, entertainment and magazine programming for the Mediterranean island’s 515,000 inhabitants.

Not only does Extreme E feature exciting wheel-to-wheel racing, there is also a wider purpose to the championship around the environment which is unfortunately under threat. Like so many parts of the world, carbon dioxide emissions are also affecting Malta and impacting on all areas of life there.

The country is facing an air quality crisis due to 300,000 vehicles releasing smoke in the air, as well as plastic waste problems as only 10% of its waste is recycled with the rest currently ending in landfill.

Ali Russell, chief marketing officer at Extreme E, said:“Extreme E is delighted to have extended its agreement with TV Malta. Extreme E’s mission to ‘race without trace’ while simultaneously raising awareness of climate issues, means it is vital that our series reaches as many audiences on as many platforms as possible throughout the world. Working with TVM will not only continue to provide viewers in Malta with a thrilling and innovative motorsport championship, but also help convey our message that we all need to play our part in looking after our planet.”

The Extreme E championship has already attracted some of the biggest names in motorsport, including Formula One World Champions Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Jenson Button, who have founded teams X44, Rosberg X Racing and JBXE respectively. Motorsport giants McLaren also joined this year with American Tanner Foust and New Zealander Emma Gilmour at the wheel of their papaya orange and blue fully electric Odyssey 21 SUV.

The gender equal format is a stipulation of the championship in a bid to encourage gender equality and a level playing field – a world-first in motorsport.