SERVUSTV’S FREE-TO-AIR MotoGP COVERAGE ENDS IN GERMANY FROM 2027

German MotoGP fans are facing a major change to how they can watch the series from 2027, with ServusTV no longer carrying the extensive coverage that many viewers have come to rely on. According to Speedweek, ServusTV held live MotoGP rights in Germany from 2019 to 2023, and since 2024 it has still shown half of the races. In Austria, ServusTV has already been broadcasting MotoGP live, free-to-air and in HD since 2016, and the broadcaster has extended its home-market deal with the MotoGP rights holder (ServusTV linear and ServusTV On/streaming) through 2030.

The situation in Germany changes after a MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group announcement dated 30 July 2026. From 2027 through 2030, selected MotoGP races will be shown free-to-air on RTL in Germany, while all MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 sessions will be broadcast live on Sky, the group’s pay-TV channel.

This year, Speedweek reports that DF1 is airing half of the races in Germany on free-to-air television, using the ServusTV signal. Those races are also available on ServusTV On and on Red Bull TV. Fans will lose that arrangement from 2027.

The news sparked frustration across social media. One SPEEDWEEK Facebook commenter, “Münchner Stadtschreiber,” wrote: “ServusTV … everything else is jungle TV.” Reinhard Asimus said he “doesn’t need” RTL, adding that it is “just an advertising broadcaster,” while Servus TV is “worlds better.” Another viewer, “Wald Meister,” complained about a “constant advertising show” with MotoGP interruptions, saying they watch only when MotoGP is on ServusTV. Tina Bet summed up a common sentiment: “Either ServusTV/DF1 or not at all! MotoGP without the Dream Team Hofmann/Brugger just doesn’t work.”

Speedweek also points to the commercial logic behind the shift. RTL’s market share in Germany is reported as close to 10% among the key 19-to-49 age group, while DF1 is said to be below 0.5%. With MotoGP now in majority ownership of Liberty Media (since July 2025), the series is aiming for greater mainstream reach. Speedweek notes that sport director Carlos Ezpeleta explained the strategy in detail on its site, and that a deal with Germany’s biggest private broadcaster is expected to both expand audience numbers and increase revenue.

For viewers looking for an alternative, Speedweek says the official MotoGP.com stream will be available in Germany from 2027, carrying the world feed but only with English commentary. The report also recalls that MotoGP was on RTL once before, in 2006, when the market share reportedly reached 5–7% despite a large on-site reporting setup.