BRITISH speedway will be televised on BT Sport in the upcoming season after the broadcaster took up the baton from Sky.

BT, who also hold the Grand Prix and World Cup rights, will televise 18 shows throughout the season.

British Speedway Promoters’ Association chairman Keith Chapman said: “We are delighted to welcome BT Sport as our broadcast partners for the 2017 season.

“They successfully hosted both the Grand Prix and World Cup last year and we are pleased to showcase our sport alongside those tournaments on the same channel.

“We also believe this is good news for British viewers who can now see regular speedway, both at league and international level, on the same platform.

“We sincerely hope we have an entertaining season and once again show the wider audience what a thrilling spectacle the sport is.”

Terry Russell, of Go Speed International who negotiated the new deal, said: “Our thanks go to BT Sport for welcoming British speedway into their stable of sport.

“We are extremely pleased British speedway has a home on TV and of course it sits very nicely alongside the GP and World Cup.

"It’s good news for the sport and I’m sure our fans will enjoy the coverage BT Sport provides.

“There will be 18 shows throughout the summer and into the autumn, including the play-offs, which always provide great drama and entertainment.

“We are also working hard with the clubs to make every TV meeting an exciting event, to promote it hard and make it work for everyone.

“These are exciting times and we look forward to working with BT Sport.”