FIM World Superbike was Charter Series on SPEED in '96

SPEED has renewed its contract with FGSPORT, the organizers and rights holder of the FIM SBK Superbike World Championship, signing a deal that keeps the high-powered series on the network through 2009. FIM World Superbike was the network's charter racing series when SPEED went on the air as Speedvision in 1996.

"It's great to renew our long-standing relationship with the WSBK," said Rick Miner, SPEED Sr. VP of Production and Network Operation. "We're looking forward to another great season of racing."

FGSPORT CEO Paolo Flammini said: "We are extremely proud to extend our relationship with SPEED. We are sure that the World Superbike Championship will continue to provide unparalleled excitement to the American fans thanks to SPEED's high-quality broadcasting."

In 2006, the SBK Superbike World Championship reached more than two billion contacts worldwide via 95 television networks beamed into 173 countries with more than 3,000 broadcast hours in total for an equivalent media value of $773 million. On SPEED, all SBKTM events have been shown in full, with a total coverage of 40 hours during the 2006 season.

SPEED, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2006, is the nation's first and foremost cable network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 73 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services.