CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR agreed to an eight-year television deal Wednesday that will split its schedule among four networks beginning in 2007. NASCAR's 36-race schedule will be divided among ABC/ESPN, Fox and TNT, and the annual all-star race will be aired on the Speed Channel. The deals with all the networks will run through the 2014 season.
The deal marks a return to the sport for ABC/ESPN and the furthering of a long-term relationship for TNT.
ABC/ESPN had been shut out of the last TV contract that began in 2001 and split the schedule among Fox, NBC and the network's sister stations. When NBC declined to extend its contract with NASCAR, it opened the door for the Disney Company to negotiate. "NASCAR's return to ABC and ESPN, the 'Worldwide Leader in Sports,' is a perfect fit for the sport and the fans," chairman Brian France said. "ESPN's network of networks means that NASCAR will have a strong presence on television, radio, print and new media such as the Internet and wireless applications." The contract gives the networks television and new media rights to the 17-race Nextel Cup schedule ending with coverage on ABC Sports of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup" for the drivers' championship. It will be the first time "The Chase" will be featured on one network. The contract also features exclusive coverage of the entire Busch series, the majority of which will be carried on ESPN2. ABC Sports will carry at least 11 of the season-ending 17 NASCAR Nextel Cup events covered by the agreement, with the others on ESPN. "ABC Sports first exposed sports fans to the racing excitement of NASCAR in the 1960s, and ESPN and the sport grew up together in the 1980s and '90s," said George Bodenheimer, president of ABC/ESPN. "Our tradition is rich, and our future is bright. To NASCAR, its drivers and fans we say, 'Welcome home."' The agreement also includes a schedule of related programming, including qualifying and practice sessions for both series, a daily NASCAR news and information program, a Nextel Cup pre-race show and a reality series. The deal also provides for a vast amount of content to fuel ESPN International and the ESPN's extensive multimedia initiatives. The multimedia rights include simulcasting telecasts on all new media platforms, in-progress and post-race highlights. ESPN will also be NASCAR's exclusive international sales agent worldwide (excluding Mexico and Canada) and will have the right to air all ESPN or ABC Sports ancillary programs on its international networks.
"This is a major accomplishment for the NASCAR drivers, teams and track operators that have made this sport what it is today," chairman Brian France said. "It represents a significant reward for the competitive side-by-side racing our fans have come to expect. It also validates the marketing and production enhancements our current media partners have brought to the sport.
"The new broadcast partnership is also good for the fans, because they will have so much more NASCAR content from a variety of media and new media sources." TNT, meanwhile, fought to continue a 22-year relationship with NASCAR. The network, in conjunction with NBC's part of the 2001 deal, has aired seven to eight races a season and wanted to remain involved despite NBC's withdrawal.
So TNT paid for the a stretch of six races in June and July. The deal gives the network continuity and a marquee event in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona.
Fox, meanwhile, continues its run of scheduling the first portion of the season. The network extended its deal to include the season-opening Daytona 500 and the next 12 Cup races.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
About the agreements:
Beginning in 2007, each NASCAR season will be launched on FOX with the telecast of the Daytona 500. FOX will also carry NASCAR “Speedweeks” events including the Budweiser Shootout and Daytona Pole Qualifying. FOX will also broadcast the 12 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races following the Daytona 500.
TNT will broadcast six consecutive NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races (races 14 through 19).
The final 17 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series points races will be broadcast on ABC or ESPN. The final 10 races, the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, will be broadcast on ABC. The NASCAR Busch Series will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN or ESPN 2, with no less than four events on ABC.
SPEED will be home to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with the exception of two events, which will be broadcast by FOX.
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series qualifying practice and “happy hours” will be broadcast on a combination of SPEED Channel, ESPN and ESPN2.
SPEED will broadcast the Gatorade Duels held each year during “Speedweeks” to determine part of the Daytona 500 starting order.
SPEED will also broadcast the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series All-Star Challenge and its companion all-star event, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Pit Crew Challenge. ESPN will launch specially NASCAR-branded news and information programming.
All broadcast partners will have new interactive rights, special “season preview” and “season end review” programming rights and other ancillary content. NASCAR fans will be able to receive NASCAR coverage from an expanded range of outlets including highlights and live streaming, content from and on each network’s Web pages, datacasts and newly-developed multimedia programming.(NASCAR PR)(12-7-2005)
Make sure you have a TV guide handy... it's going to be confusing where to find what's on. Six networks will be used to broadcast NASCAR events. FOX, ABC, TNT, ESPN, ESPN2 and SPEED. I'm happy to see NASCAR head back to ESPN. ESPN has had a lot of coverage for NASCAR this year on Sportscenter... mostly because they were trying to get the contract back I'm sure. I hope they use the side-by-side option for commericals that they use for Indycar races. I'm sure ABC will do a great job in their return too. I wonder who the new announcers will be? I'm sure Rusty Wallace will be in there somewhere. I really wish they didn't renew with TNT.... they show way too much commericals with their races. Oh well, we'l have to put up with that for 6 straight races. I'm also happy to see the Busch Series on ESPN and ABC. I'm a little surpised to see SPEED get the rights to broacast the All Star Challenge.
