The Monte Carlo Rally, which opens the Intercontinental Rally Challenge next year, will get an unprecedented six hours of live television coverage from the stages on Eurosport - including uninterrupted live broadcasts from the four mythical Col du Turini stages that conclude the event.

All the action will come live from the stages, taking in views from the side of the road, helicopter-mounted wescam images, and spectacular on-board footage straight from the competing cars. For the very first time, viewers will be able to see all the drama of the Monte Carlo Rally as it happens, putting them closer to the action than ever before.

Live action from the stages was first trialled on the IRC this year, proving a huge success. Now it will be used on selected events throughout the 2009 season, starting with the Monte Carlo Rally: the oldest and most prestigious event in the history of the sport.

Gilbert Roy, Eurosport Event's Director of TV Production, said: "Whilst presenting a number of challenges, we have proved in the past that our innovative live coverage from the stages gives the viewers an immediacy that has never been experienced before. Now we set the target even higher, by offering live action from seven stages of Monte Carlo. On the last evening in particular, there are nearly four hours of live night-time programmes from the mythical Col du Turini, which will provide a spectacular climax to the event."

The 77th Monte Carlo Rally will be broadcast over the Eurosport platform, including Eurosport, Eurosport 2, Eurosport Asia-Pacific and the www.eurosport.com website. For more information, please visit www.rally-irc.com or contact Anthony Peacock on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or +44 (0) 77 66 16 31 51. Please also visit the event's official website, www.acm.mc

Television broadcast schedule for Monte Carlo Rally

Wednesday 21 January
- 16h00 => 17h00 LIVE SS3 St-Jean en Royans – Col de Gaudissart (Eurosport & Eurosport Asia-Pacific)
- 00h00 => 00h15 Highlights of Day 1 (Eurosport)

Thursday 22 January
- 10h30 => 11h15 LIVE SS5 St- Bonnet le Froid – St-Bonnet le Froid (Eurosport 2 & Eurosport Asia-Pacific)
- 15h45 => 16h30 LIVE SS8 St- Bonnet le Froid – St-Bonnet le Froid (Eurosport & Eurosport Asia-Pacific)
- 00h00 => 00h15 Highlights of Day 2 (Eurosport)

Friday 23 January
- 19h30 => 21h15 LIVE SS11 Sospel – La Bollène Vésubie (Eurosport2 & Eurosport Asia-Pacific)    LIVE SS12 Lantosque - Lucèram (Eurosport 2 & Eurosport Asia-Pacific)
- 23h00 => 01h00 LIVE SS13 Sospel – La Bollène Vésubie (Eurosport & Eurosport Asia-Pacific)
LIVE SS14 Lantosque - Lucèram (Eurosport & Eurosport Asia-Pacific)