It’s just been announced that the world-leading Duke Video Archive from Duke Marketing has been acquired by Motorsport Network. The investment is expected to bring additional employment to the Isle of Man digital and media cluster.
Duke Marketing are one of the world’s foremost publishers, distributors and rights holders for motor racing content. This agreement will provide a significant enhancement of Motorsport.tv, which is part of the Motorsport Network Group, with back catalogue in premier series such as MotoGP and the World Rally Championship.
The Duke Video catalogue includes over 1,500 titles and more than 2,500 hours of content including rally, sports cars and touring cars, as well as an unmatched pedigree in bike racing, with Isle of Man TT films dating back to 1948 and World Championship motorcycle sports from the 1980s at the heart of the collection.
Duke Video was founded in the Isle of Man and launched in 1981 by Peter Duke, son of six-time Isle of Man TT winner and six-time World Champion, Geoff Duke OBE and the business is known internationally for its season review videos. Peter will become CEO of the newest partner in the Motorsport Network.
Commenting on the agreement that will see investment and jobs created on the Isle of Man, Peter Duke said:
“There is great strategic alignment between our content and Motorsport Network’s capacity to put our rich archive of content in front of millions more fans. We’re also delighted as a company that Motorsport Network will give us a massive marketing boost to expand the volume, range and breadth of content that we produce. We look forward to exciting opportunities to bring new products – including motorsport travel packages as well as collectable videos – to the market and dealing with new customers across the globe. ”
Motorsport Network’s Chairman, Zak Brown poured praise on the Isle of Man company and the growth in his own business:
“Duke has been a staple of the sport for four decades and we’re really excited to expand the availability of this treasury of content to our audiences through Motorsport.tv’s broadcast and OTT capability. This is the second significant announcement in as many weeks that will bring a universe of exclusive motorsport content to our worldwide audience via the Network and most particularly, Motorsport.tv.”
Motorsport Network has over 160 million-page views per month, websites in 17 languages, publications in 8 languages, a massive commitment to OTT TV.
The strategic pairing with Motorsport.tv’s extensive audiences will bring the Duke catalogue to a global audience of motorsport enthusiasts to the benefit of both organisations.
All of Motorsport.tv’s content, including the Duke catalogue, will be available online and on-demand on both Motorsport.tv’s OTT web platform and iOS and Android mobile devices, with new distribution via Apple TV and Roku coming shortly.
Motorsport Network is also available on cable, satellite across much of western Europe and Russia, and via OTT globally.