by | Jan 2, 2013 | Media, TV Times
By Lou Modestino
NBC Sports wants NASCAR TV rights
The Motor Racing Network (MRN) recently revealed that the NBC Sports Channel, formerly known as Versus, is looking for a piece of NASCAR action to possibly knock out ESPN/ABC for the last third of the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. NBC Sports is also currently out shopping for top TV sports programs beyond the NASCAR Sprint Cup as well.
That last third of the NASCAR Sprint Cup is currently aired by ESPN and ABC with those rights expiring in 2014. However, NBC Sports could knock TNT out of the NASCAR box instead of ESPN/ABC only because it would be a lot easier for them to get a foothold in NASCAR now during the middle of the NASCAR season. Consider the fact that ESPN and ABC have a lot of depth and opportunities that NASCAR benefits from now with all of their extensive sports programming on the ESPN channels. (more…)
by | Dec 27, 2012 | Media, TV Times
By Lou Modestino
Will things get better for NASCAR in 2013?
Now that all the changes that Brian France had made in NASCAR are back to what they were originally, will there be a turn around for NASCAR? We’re being told that the economy is improving and that we are on the road to a substantial recovery. Yet from many people’s points of view, this recession is far from over. At any rate, how will France’s so-called changes affect ticket sales and TV ratings?
Ticket sales for NASCAR events may continue to be a tough sell, but TV ratings could uptick provided that competition improves and fans like the new look of the race cars. The Sprint Cup racers will now resemble the showroom models, and fans may better be able to relate to them. In spite of the economy, positive changes in NASCAR could transfer into confident buyers coming forth to buy tickets or simply return as TV watchers. (more…)
by | Dec 19, 2012 | Media, TV Times
By Lou Modestino
The SPEED REPORT on the same-named cable network recently had some interesting coverage of the NASCAR shakedown runs of the new Chevys, Fords and Toyotas as they were held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We were impressed on how closely the new Cup cars can now resemble those that can be found in showrooms today. Also many positive comments could be heard, for instance that the newly-configured cars had more down force and grip.
According to SPEED color analyst Jeff Hammond, “They’ve put the stock back into stockcars.” Yet he cautioned, “The cars will need a lot more time on the track before they get it all sorted out.” (more…)
by | Dec 11, 2012 | Media, TV Times
Stewart Says “No” to Indy While Keselowski Says “Yes”
By Lou Modestino
According to reports bandied about including those on the Speed Channel, Tony Stewart nixed an offer given to him by team owner Roger Penske to race an Indy Car at IMS on Memorial Day weekend. The reason given was that he has too much on his plate at this time. Besides having his hands full in the NASCAR wars, Tony felt that it would not be easy to come in just for the 500 and pull off a win. “It may have been like that in the past, but now it’s a different story,” he said. “Those Indy Car guys work on their strategy year round.”
Stewart claims that even though he’s got his ear to the ground on all things Indy, he feels that the other Indy Car teams and drivers are very much on top of their game. However, he did leave the door open for a run at the 500 sometime in the future. He elaborated more on the subject later on the Speed Report. “When I decide to go to the Indy 500, I really want to make a serious bid to win it, not just to be an also ran.” (more…)
by | Dec 6, 2012 | Media, TV Times
By Lou Modestino
Penske entices Stewart to race in the Indy 500
There have been several reports around stating that NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion car owner Roger Penske is offering NASCAR standout driver Tony Stewart an Indy 500 ride. Could this be an attempt to heighten NASCAR fans’ interest in the event? Perhaps so. No doubt that Stewart has developed a strong base of fans over the years during his open wheel racing, compounded by the fact that he’s added still more fans after he successfully transitioned from open wheel and become a top NASCAR driver. This is an obvious effort to sell more tickets to the Indy 500 and to kick up TV ratings.
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by Jay | Nov 29, 2012 | Media, TV Times
By Lou Modestino
NASCAR and TV partners have big problems
From The Sporting News comes a very serious revelation. NASCAR had an up and down year on the TV ratings over the past few years. This year it was mostly down. For 2012, NASCAR had the smallest audience in five years. There was also a 25 percent drop in the very important 18-34 year old male demographic registering a 25 percent drop. Those NASCAR races which aired on Fox, TNT and ESPN averaged a 3.6 Nielsen rating and 5.8 million viewers through 35 of 36 races. The season-ending races at Homestead was down 5 percent and 10 percent respectively from last year. All that gave up all of the gains the sport made last year which was its first annual ratings increase since 2005.
Three races weren’t counted because of rain delays that forced the races to be held on weekday mornings. Ratings among advertisers’ favorite demographic, 18- to 34-year-olds, fell further. NASCAR races earned a 0.9 rating in that demo, down 25 percent from last year’s 1.2.
NASCAR executives attributed the declines to uncontrollable forces, starting with the Daytona 500’s first postponement in 54 years, from Sunday afternoon to Monday evening. NASCAR executives also cited competition from the London Olympics and NCAA basketball conference championship games as reasons for the downturn.
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