Updated For TT 2022/23 – There’s Been Some Big Changes!
For many of us watching the TT meant sitting in a hedge somewhere with a beer in one hand and a radio in the other, this is how it was for many many years. The radio commentary was how we discovered who was where in the race. Then as technology evolved we progressed to being able to see live timings for ourselves. So joining us in the hedge would be a mobile phone with access to the live timings website/app. Things progressed further, social media meant unofficial TT streams popping up here and there as fans shared their live experience, combined with static IOM webcams and it gave some sense of what else was happening around the course from where you were watching. If you wanted to watch the TT live then this is how it was done, right up to 2019 when the world stopped for Covid. That was your option, turn up on the Isle of Man and watch. Well in for the 2022 races and beyond that has all changed, how you watch the TT live has evolved!
How To Watch, Listen And Follow The TT In 2023
First things first, if you can get yourself to the Isle of Man to watch live make sure you do. There is NOTHING that can compare to watching the racing live and in person, even if you just do it once, do it. But this is where things have changed, for the first time ever the Isle of Man TT races are going to be lived streamed from an official source in 2022. For the princely sum of around 15 quid (which has to be one of the best value sports events streaming packages anywhere) you get full access to all practice and race sessions of the 2 week TT festival. Watch on mobile, PC or on your TV, it’s a bargain, I’ve already got mine. How will the tech hold up? Who knows but if it performs properly it will revolutionise the TT.
Sign Up For TT+ Live Streaming Service Here
We all know as well that the TT is ran as a time trial so even with live pictures it can be hard to see who is where, so it’s good news that the live timing service has been retained and is still free. If all you want to do is see where your favourite riders are sector by sector and lap by lap of the TT course then you can sign up for the free live timing here (it’s a different login/password to the live streaming, totally different services, but it is a free sign-up):-
You’d wonder then that if live streaming is available why bother with radio? It’s been asked plenty of times and openly questioned but listening to the racing on the radio is such a huge part of the TT for some fans that it’s been retained for this year. However it’s not being produced by Manx Radio, instead it’s being done by the TT itself. You can still tune in to 1368 AM and get all the race action on Manx Radio, however a better and more reliable bet may be Energy FM on 98.6 (FM just seems to work much better on the Isle of Man). For me personally I’ll be moving with the times and watching the live streaming and commentary when I’m not watching the bikes come past but it’s a personal choice, and a nice one to have available. For those not on the island that £14.99 (update- now £19.99 in 2023) will give you a perfect opportunity to experience the foibles of the TT, including weather issues, delays as somebody bins it just as the roads are closing and people not moving their cars. But all being well it will help spread and grow the TT audience to all 4 corners of the planet. On top of that ITV4 will be showing either specials or highlights at 9pm for each night of the TT fortnight (technically from Monday the 30th of May to Saturday the 14th of June). This will feature highlights from all the TT races, special features, clips around the island etc etc ITV4 is part of the ITV player catch-up service so very easy to watch as and when you want.
In summary then you’re going to be spoilt for choice when it comes to following the TT live. You’ve got 2 radio stations with live commentary, full live video streaming of every TT session (available worldwide for a really low fee) and highlights on ITV4. If you’re outside the UK then there are TT highlights in the following places on your mainstream TV channels:- Australia on Fox, Brazil on ESPN, Canada on REV TV, Czech Republic on 02 TV Sport, France on Automoto La Chaine, Germany on Motorvision, New Zealand on Sky, Poland on Motowizja, Spain on RTVE, South Africa on Supersport and the USA on MayTV.
If you are heading for your first TT or even thinking of coming over I’d also suggest you take an hour our of your life to watch this beginners guide to the TT. Done by a local it gives you some idea of what to expect from a very “proper” point of view.
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Despite being the most famous motorbike races in the world the Isle of Man TT seems to be years behind in terms of media and production. The island only has a capacity for a certain amount of visitors and demand far outstrips supply leaving thousands of bike fans from all over the world disappointed. Even when you are on the island there is the small matter of the races being time trials which makes following what is happening a little more difficult than some race fans may be used to. With all this in mind here are the recommended ways of watching, listening to and otherwise following the Isle of Man TT races.
Manx Radio – Live Coverage
Manx Radio provide live commentary on their AM frequency (1368) for all practice sessions and the races themselves. If you’re not on the island then it is also streamed live over the internet. Practices tend to be covered by a couple of pit-lane commentators with regular timing updates, interspersed with what you would call “typical” TT music. For the races the production is ramped up a bit with commentators at Glen Helen, Ramsey and the grandstand as well as the pit-lane/return lane.
Listen To Manx Radio TT Coverage
TT Live Timings
You can either use the TT website or the apps for Android/Apple, personally I prefer the website as it seems to be more reliable than the dedicated mobile apps. Each bike is fitted with a transponder which triggers timing and average speed information at several points around the course, namely Glen Helen, Ballaugh, Ramsey, Bungalow, Cronk-ny-Mona and the Grandstand. There are also speed traps on the Sulby Straight and past the Grandstand. By following the live timings you are getting pretty much the same information as what the radio is telling you but without having to listen to them fumbling over the information, which is in itself all part of the TT experience 🙂 Whether you’re sat in a hedge near Crosby or trying to follow what is going on from your living room in Australia the timings website or the associated apps are very strongly recommended. By combining the live timings with the radio and a webcam or two you’re probably going to get as close to an authentic experience as you can.
Isle of Man TT Website Live Timings
IOM TT Android App (No Longer Supported)
IOM TT Apple App (No longer Supported)
Television Coverage Of The Isle of Man TT
Will we ever see live coverage of the TT? There are ambitions to do it but whether or not it comes to fruition who can say? There are a number of problems, not least being the fact that the race schedule is very rarely the actual race schedule! It’s a big circuit in an area of the world with massively variable weather. Then there are the inevitable accidents, some of which will be serious in nature. Surely one day live TV coverage will happen but it may not be in the form of traditional broadcasting on one of the mainstream channels. In the meantime those of you on island or in the UK have a daily highlights program on ITV4 which is superb. Other broadcasters around the world do run their own highlights packages but if you can watch it then the ITV4 program is probably the best of the lot. You’ll just need a UK internet connection for free access.
Coverage is also available in:- Australia, Fox Sport 5. Germany, Motorvision. Italy, MediasetSport. Latin America, Claro Sports. New Zealand, Sky. Norway, TV2. South Africa, Supersport. USA, Velocity.
Webcams, Facebook, Twitter And Periscope
There is no shortage of webcams on the Isle of Man, many of which are government run. You can find further details on our webcams page. Several of these webcams overlook certain parts of the course and whilst there is zero reliability as to whether or not they will be running or not ( There have been rumors that some are shut down at certain times of the year or even being forced to be geo-restricted so that they can only be viewed from people in certain countries ) it does at least give some insight in to what is happening on the island. As well as the webcams there is a lot of social media around the whole event with several popular Facebook, photographs and video clips are posted on a regular basis. It seems just about everybody at the TT is carrying a camera and most are willing to share what they’ve captured!
Last but not least there are several Twitter accounts that follow the racing and general TT event. In addition Twitters new service Periscope adds a whole new dimension to the social media side of things by allowing people to live stream video of their own experiences. It is incredibly simple to use and really does provide a whole new angle to the racing, one which organisers should be embracing to further the reach of this unique event!
Facebook Pages
Isle of Man TT
Tourist Trophy
Twitter Feeds
Official IOM TT Twitter
IOM Online
IOM TT Photos
How To Use Periscope
Periscope is a live video sharing service from Twitter, in order to use it you will need a Twitter account. From there it is simply a case of downloading the app for your Android or Apple phone or tablet. Sign in and click on the globe in the top menu to search for streams via location. If you zoom in on the Isle of Man you’ll see previously recorded videos as blue dots and streams that are currently broadcasting as live as red dots. That’s all there is to it. However if you don’t have a Periscope or Twitter account then some of the Twitter profiles featured above link to all sorts of media which can be played in a web browser directly.
