Where to watch MotoGP in India

Just ahead of the 2023 season-opening Portuguese GP this weekend, MotoGP has signed a deal with Viacom18 that will see the championship streamed exclusively on Sports18 and JioCinema. While Formula 1 still remains without a broadcasting deal in the country – with an F1TV Pro subscription being the only option for fans in India – this latest move ensures that MotoGP will continue to be broadcasted on TV.

This ends MotoGP’s long-standing association with Discovery in India. So do you fans need to purchase another subscription? And what about those who don’t have a Jio connection? We answer all your key questions:

MotoGP India streaming on Sports18, JioCinema

All MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 sessions – including practice, qualifying, the newly introduced sprint races and the main race – will be shown live on Sports18 on TV and JioCinema.

The championship is set to make its India debut later this year, with the Buddh International Circuit hosting the Indian GP on September 24. MotoGP organiser Dorna’s CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta highlighted that India is a key market for the championship. “We have a lot of fans in India and we’re excited to be able to bring the sport to them. India is also a key market for the motorcycle industry and therefore, by extension, for MotoGP as the pinnacle of the two-wheeled world,” he said.

“We are very excited that Viacom’s reach across India will bring MotoGP to all corners of the country and allow more fans to watch this incredible sport.”

Pushkar Nath Srivastava, COO of FairStreet Sports - promoters of the India race and the Broadcasting Rights licensee – added, “We are confident that Viacom18 is the ideal partner to showcase the exhilarating sport of MotoGP in India. Their extensive reach on both television and OTT platforms, combined with their commitment to launching and promoting sports, perfectly aligns with our vision for the historic debut of MotoGP in the country. The increased accessibility would help galvanise our youth and create a new generation of talented riders to represent our nation on the global stage.”

Is JioCinema free to use?

For now, JioCinema is free to use both on the desktop site and the app, which can be downloaded from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Do you need a Jio SIM to watch JioCinema?

JioCinema is free to use for all. So you don’t need to have a Jio SIM card to watch the sessions live.

The app is available on iOS phones and tablets with OS version 7.0 and above, Android phones and tablets with OS version 4.3 and above, and all Samsung Tizen devices with OS version 2.4 and above.

What’s new in MotoGP this year?

The biggest change in MotoGP this year is the introduction of sprint races, which will be held at every round. These races will take place on Saturday and cover half the distance of the main race. Half the points will be handed out, so the winner will earn 12 points, second place finisher will get nine points and so on.

The results of the sprint race will have no impact on the grid for the main race. Instead, a qualifying session on Saturday will determine the grids for both. With 50 percent more points up for grabs, this could have a significant impact on how the championship plays out.

As for the grid, there are some big changes there as well, with nine riders switching to different teams.

2023 MotoGP grid

2023 Portuguese MotoGP session timings in India

Friday

Moto 3 Practice 1 – 2:30pm

Moto2 Practice 1 – 3:20pm

MotoGP Practice 1 – 4:15pm

Moto3 Practice 2 – 6:45pm

Moto2 Practice 2 – 7:35pm

MotoGP Practice 2 – 8:30pm

Saturday

Moto3 Practice 3 – 2:10pm

Moto2 Practice 3 – 2:55pm

MotoGP Practice 3 – 3:40pm

MotoGP Qualifying – 4:20pm

Moto3 Qualifying – 6:20pm

Moto2 Qualifying – 7:15pm

MotoGP Sprint Race – 8:30pm

Sunday

Moto3 Race – 3:30pm

Moto2 Race – 4:45pm

MotoGP Race – 6:30pm

Also see:

MotoGP confirms Bharat GP debut in 2023

F2: Daruvala scores double podium finish in Saudi Arabia