IndyCar moving to Versus network in 2009: ABC keeps Indy 500 broadcast

[vvvracer]

The Indy Racing League announced today (Aug. 7) that it has reached multi-year partnerships with TV networks ABC and Versus.

The Indianapolis 500 will remain on ABC, while the move to Versus gives the IndyCar Series a new cable television partner--replacing ESPN and ESPN2, which are owned by ABC--beginning in 2009. The Indy 500 will air on ABC through 2012, with the network airing four additional IndyCar races annually.

The contract with Versus calls for the network to televise at least 13 races per year for the next 10 years, with each telecast lasting a minimum of three hours and including extended pre-race coverage. Versus also will air a one-hour preview show the day before each race that will feature highlights from qualifying, and all of the relevant IndyCar Series stories of that weekend. Additionally, the network will feature extensive coverage of all the qualifying sessions at Indy leading up to the 500. Versus will also broadcast IndyCar race re-airs in the week following every race, as well as the Firestone Indy Lights Series highlighted in weekly 30-minute telecasts.

A broadcast schedule that assigns each of next year's 18 IndyCar races to a specific network will be released soon.

Check to see if your cable or satellite provider carries this obscure channel: versus.com (http://www.versus.com/)

Hmmm... and we all thought the Spike deal CCWS had was bad? My cable system doesn't even carry "Versus"!

The just made it that much easier for me to NOT follow the series!!! :D Way to go, TONY!!! :rolleyes:

[Rossi46]

Nice move Tony! My cable provider doesn't carry it either! Not that I was watching it anyway ... :D

[nissan gtp]

DirecTV channel 603 and 604 (HD)

[Indyfan]

I must admit, for quite some time now, I've had internal personal issues with my username of Indyfan. It has ALWAYS referred to the good ol' days of Indycar, then it referred more to the CART/CCWS "Indy" races (TO, Van, Edm, etc). Now, there's no way for me to sidestep the issue....the only "Indy" now, is IRL.

I'm afraid after a decade , I may have to change my username, as I no longer can stand defending the intention of it, and I honestly am not an "Indy" fan any longer.

I will need to sleep on this, to come up with a new name, but I'm afraid it's something that needs to be done. :(

[Cosworth]

This just goes to show 1) How far open wheel has fallen; and 2) That it is still very far from recovery.

I think a lot of us were/are upset at how little of CART/ChampCar the IRL incorporated in to the "new series"- well looks like they did bring over ChampCar's ability to derail any sort of momentum heading into a new season. :cool:

I guess on one side of the coin, we all knew ANY motorsport on Mickey Mouse's network was always going to be a red-headed step child compared against NASCAR, but I find it hard to believe there weren't better options, even given the previously mentioned state of open wheel.

Wonder who's paying who for the broadcast? ABC/ESPN may have decided enough with paying IRL to show all races just so they could still claim the 500.

If Verses is serious about this and has pre/post race coverage and weekly news and spotlight shows, it could be ok. But when (I'm guessing) only a quarter of the households get your broadcast "partner", it really doesn't do much good. This can't be good for sponsor hunting either, I'd imagine.

RJ

[vvvracer]

This is the way TG and company rebuild American Open Wheel Racing... by putting it on some 3rd rate cable channel!

You go and give yourself a big pat on the back there, TG. What a bonehead!

[vvvracer]

I must admit, for quite some time now, I've had internal personal issues with my username of Indyfan. It has ALWAYS referred to the good ol' days of Indycar, then it referred more to the CART/CCWS "Indy" races (TO, Van, Edm, etc). Now, there's no way for me to sidestep the issue....the only "Indy" now, is IRL.

I'm afraid after a decade , I may have to change my username, as I no longer can stand defending the intention of it, and I honestly am not an "Indy" fan any longer.

I will need to sleep on this, to come up with a new name, but I'm afraid it's something that needs to be done. :(

Try Pre95IndyFan... ;-)

[MustangSVT]

Versus and versus HD is available on both DirecTV and Dish Network, the major satellite providers in USA. It's also available on Comcast.

Dunno about Canada. Might be on OLN (same channel as Versus I believe), might not. I liked getting IRL on TSN-HD in nice hi-def, hopefully that goes on.

[Jean Alesi]

Ummmm have we forgotten about the internet? I don't know about you but I just might be tempted to "borrow" a race from certain websites if I heard it was a good one. I am sure someone would post them. They do with F1 races.

Where's your sense of piracy?

[icecop22]

WHAT A JOKE!! Versus coverage of the nhl is a farce at best. OOOO the irl got $6 million a year for this.......and now will get ZERO coverage on sportscenter. What happens to the side by side? Versus is a commercial fest channel for everything they show, on cablevision its throw up in the middle on no-where on the channel line-up. Its cheap sh*t like this that takes any credibility away from the series. How the hell are any of the teams going to sell sponsorship for this? They really shot themselves today, for a series with not alot of fans, a good portion of them dont get this channel, and a company that was considering a title sponsorship of the series with major activation, probably just threw the irl's phone number in the trash

[Cosworth]

Where's your sense of piracy?

Oh, trust me, mine is alive an well. ;) I take full advantage of the internet with respect to that. :D

But for what is suppose to be a "top level" form of motorsport, Verses really doesn't command the the kind of presence and recognition deserving of that type of series.

Somewhere, Brain France and Gerry/Jerry (whatever) Forsythe (while not together) are probably having a cigar and a huge laugh right now.

RJ

[Hit 'N' Run Racing]

Apparently there is going to be a pre-race show for each race that they cover, but it is a hollow victory if your cutting out a good portion of your fan base in the process.

This move is a huge oversight considering that it was already done with ChampCar and Spike TV, that lasted all of two seasons if I remember right, then they 'moved up' to ABC/NBC/ESPN (again my memory might be off). So much for learning from past mistakes.

On the bright side, we might get some new announcers.

[race1010]

This is great news! I don't even think our weak Canadian satellites have a hope in hell of picking up an obscure channel like Versus up here! YEAH! Now I don't have to fret about even thinking about watching this crapwagon racing with no-name drivers - I've got better things to do with my time (sleeping comes to mind, but I've done that watching this chit anyway...)! :D

PS - Indyfan - don't fret - we all know that you are identifying with open-wheel racing that we all used to enjoy....your ID is one of the last links to the good 'ol days....:(

[mwrmt]

put a fork in this turkey, it's DONE!!!!

[Watson Roadster]

Formula car racing gets precisely the coverage it deserves for the fanbase it brings to the table in terms of numbers.

The CART/Spike reference is spot on...I expect 2 to 3 years of microscopic TV ratings ,then a "blow your brains out" time buy attempt to get back on network TV.By that time the 500 will be a greatly diminished event,and won't be able to save it.

Couple that with SMI's less than enthusiastic response to the new Formula IndyCART schedule,which could possibly mean bye-bye Texas and Kentucky,(two of the best draws on the sched.),and it's hello street paradeville.The Speedway should know that will never work,big oval race in May or not.I see,from reading quoted from IMS shills that they are greasing the skids for the impending explosion of street parades anyway.

Personally,I could'nt care less what obscure network Indy car is on.I don't watch B-League formula car road racing now!The less of this 2nd rate stuff the better.My guess is in 3 to 5 years formula car racing could very well be belly up in North America,outside of the club stuff in the SCCA...At the most 7 ,given the IMS money factor.If it happens,this open wheel oval track traditionalist will not shed one single tear.

[race1010]

Agreed, Watson - I am amazed at the amount of effort we put into these blogs for something nobody here even cares about....there's no pride at the 500 when there is no real 'bump day' (remember Penske not qualifying cars in the good old days?); you wouldn't know 75% of the drivers if you were introduced to them (not that you'd care); they've amalgamated 2 leagues into one and it's still second-rate at best; it's either not on a channel where you live, or it's tape-delayed until 3AM with the infomercials; the announcers are almost as bad as the drivers; you can't follow the race because the camera crew is the same ones shooting the "Price is Right"; and, bottom line - Tony George and the Family really don't give a damn - it's just a play toy for them - who cares about the fans anyway?! :p

[indyfan31]

I must admit, for quite some time now, I've had internal personal issues with my username of Indyfan. It has ALWAYS referred to the good ol' days of Indycar, then it referred more to the CART/CCWS "Indy" races (TO, Van, Edm, etc). Now, there's no way for me to sidestep the issue....the only "Indy" now, is IRL.

I'm afraid after a decade , I may have to change my username, as I no longer can stand defending the intention of it, and I honestly am not an "Indy" fan any longer.

I will need to sleep on this, to come up with a new name, but I'm afraid it's something that needs to be done. :(

I thought about this years ago. I then decided that I'm not changing the tagname and email address I've had for almost 15 years years just because some rich doofus who inherited a race track had a tantrum.

[Trifus]

Am I surprised over this latest turn of events? Nope, not at all. TG has demonstrated over the years, that his ego far outweighs what little skills he has in managing a series that was consistently being outperformed, equipment wise, fan attendance wise, and enjoyment wise, by Champ Car. The only thing that kept the EARL even close to surviving was him having the Indy Speedway, having NASCAR and television revenue from the events there. The money generated from there is the only thing that has allowed him to prop up the series, and ultimately outlasting Champ. If KK had only had the intestinal fortitude to last one more year, I'm sure things might have turned out a bit differently. That's not to say Champ Car management didn't make bonehead moves either, but their product at most of their venues, brought in the fans in droves.

Now with this deal with a network that doesn't even have a presence in Canada, I'm not surprised. If TSN or The Score don't work out a simulcast deal, then that will only further alienate fans, north of the border. He's already doing a good job of losing all the Aussie fans, which was consistently one of the biggest attended venues on the CC schedule. How does he treat them? Well give them a meaningless non points paying race, and leaving them off the schedule for next year.:mad:

[Watson Roadster]

Agreed, Watson - I am amazed at the amount of effort we put into these blogs for something nobody here even cares about....there's no pride at the 500 when there is no real 'bump day' (remember Penske not qualifying cars in the good old days?); you wouldn't know 75% of the drivers if you were introduced to them (not that you'd care); they've amalgamated 2 leagues into one and it's still second-rate at best; it's either not on a channel where you live, or it's tape-delayed until 3AM with the infomercials; the announcers are almost as bad as the drivers; you can't follow the race because the camera crew is the same ones shooting the "Price is Right"; and, bottom line - Tony George and the Family really don't give a damn - it's just a play toy for them - who cares about the fans anyway?! :p

While I agree with everything you say,the real problem is much deeper than that.The entire problem of why Indy car is in the sad state it is in is not really Tony George's fault.It is true he exacerbated the problem,but in reality,that exacerbation exposed things for what they really are.

Namely,the real split in "open wheel"racing in North America has nothing to do with sanctioning bodies or series schedule make up or anything like that.The split is between the traditional open wheel oval track culture and the formula car rear engine road racing culture with The Speedway being some sort of dyfunctional arbitor of the whole thing.In my opinion,if Mr.George had made a serious and sincere effort to follow through on the original plans for the old IRL,none of us would be having this conversation at all.In my opinion,if Mr.George had done away with the rear engine formula cars he's using now and introduced a MODERN front engine roadster engine and chassis platform,which would have easily reconnected with the traditional feeder systems ie.midget,sprint,Silver Crown,SuperModifieds and cultural fanbase,we would have the vertical integration necessary to get Indy car racing back on its feet.

Instead,Mr.George hitched his wagon to the historically weak Eurocentric formula car road racing culture.He did not learn from history...This is why he,and fans of formula car racing, continue to learn the hard way.It's cultural difference,or indifference,in this caes.No formula car series in North America has ever survived with out some how being attached to IMS.Open wheel racing has survived and thrived without having anything to do with The Speedway for at least 25 years.

Why is that?Why does the formula car road racing culture need to attach itself to an oval race in May to give it any credibility outside of its core fanbase?On the other hand,why has open wheel oval track racing survived and thrived away from IMS?

One word...Culture.The formula car road racing fanbase,while very passionate,is not large enough to carry the day at a permanent facility,oval or road.Factor in the IMS cheerleader crowd and it still is'nt big enough.Why do you think this culture has to put on umpteen street parades a summer?Don't buy the diversity cr@p they try and sell,it's a con...It's about survival,plain and simple.They cannot survive without them because the formula car road racing culture is'nt strong enough to financially float the boat at even a permanent road course.This is what Mr.George has done.He's made a major cultural miscalculation by overestimating the clout of The Speedway and the size of the constituency he's going after.

I realize that this is not going to be a popular opinion at a predominantly road racing site.Culturally,I'm the outcast here.As much as it may be hard to believe for some,I do feel sorry for the formula car fans out there.Mainly because I believe we are seeing lid beginning to be nailed shut on formula car racing in North America.It'll survive in the SCCA and other club stuff,but as far as major league racing is concerned,it's about over.
As an open wheel oval track traditionalist,I'm waiting for the USAC Gold Crown car,supposed to be unveiled in '10.I've heared some interesting things about what design it may take.From my side of the culture,it's the best bet we have right now of fulfilling what was supposed to be the original plans of the old IRL.That would be:

1.Ovals

2.Grass roots open wheel oval track racers

3.Cost controls and safety

Again,it has always been about culture.I realize here what I want to see is'nt very popular,but,those three things above are your best bet at open wheel success(not formula car) in North America because culturally it is more relevent and the numbers,in terms of a fanbase are there!

[MustangSVT]

Honestly I wouldn't mind today's IRL so much if the presentation and commentary was so bad. They make such a big deal of irrelevant thing (insert roadcourse is different than oval *observation* by commentator here) that it's just unbearable to watch the Indycar races nowadadys. I enjoyed the CCWS more because of:
a) good road courses
b) better commentators (John Watson)
c) better looking cars
d) more recognizable drivers

[junkydawg]

Finally...NO MORE TIMED RACES!! I think there are more positives than negatives in this venture. More advertising opportunities, longer telecasts, feature shows, interviews all in HD, as a racing fan, you can't complain about this.

[vvvracer]

Having what is "supposed" to be the "premier" U.S. open wheel series buried in the cable line-up of an obscure channel is not positive news.

[Offenhauser]

I see the advantages they are getting from versus BUT it's not going to reach near the homes that ABC or one of the other channels do. I'd say at this point it's a wait and see kind of thing but I'd say scrap it asap if thier ratings go down....

[vvvracer]

I see the advantages they are getting from versus BUT it's not going to reach near the homes that ABC or one of the other channels do. I'd say at this point it's a wait and see kind of thing but I'd say scrap it asap if thier ratings go down....

It's a 10 year deal, so it isn't that easy for TG to tap dance his way out of this one.

[race1010]

Watson, you make some valid points, however, CCWS appealed to the open-wheel fans because of its diversity - ovals, temporary street circuits, traditional road courses....it also had appeal because you could relate to and recognize the drivers, owners and sponsors, which is not the case anymore.

It's not about front or rear engine. If they put the engine on the roof, with quality drivers and owners and sponsors, on a variety of tracks - people would watch becuase that's how most fans are programmed. Hell, strap small blocks to pig's asses and most of us would tune in!

When the 'real' talent retired or moved on because of the war between series, both series lost their credibility and fans....I don't know anyone who wants to watch the cars running the same 'left turn, left turn, left turn' racing week after week - it's different with Nascar because that's what Nascar grew up on (not that their immune to these same issues).

Think about it, 200,000+ every year in Toronto and Vancouver - now they race in Edmonton...? TG has turned his back on a huge open-wheel fan base north of the 49th to race in USA-only locations (except for a couple of races). By taking Versuses' money, he's further alienated race fans. They also do a great job of not capuring the crowd during races because over half of the 'fans' are disguised as empty seats.

As Mike said, put a fork in 'her, it's over.

[Tifosi]

Versus and versus HD is available on both DirecTV and Dish Network, the major satellite providers in USA. It's also available on Comcast.

Ya, but only get it on DISH if you have the "America's To 250" package. If you have the 200, 100 Plus or 100 you are out of luck.

Stupid Tony George. One down (CART) and one to go (Indycar). I guess Stupid George wants to destroy ALL North American open wheel racing series.

[vvvracer]

Ya, but only get it on DISH if you have the "America's To 250" package. If you have the 200, 100 Plus or 100 you are out of luck.

Stupid Tony George. One down (CART) and one to go (Indycar). I guess Stupid George wants to destroy ALL North American open wheel racing series.

TG should be the poster boy for birth control and the effects of drinking and using drugs while pregnant! :D

[mwrmt]

TG should be the poster boy for birth control and the effects of drinking and using drugs while pregnant! :D

Amen to that brutha! :D

[Hit 'N' Run Racing]

I was talking to my dad about this last night when he was asking what was going on with Formula 1. I told him not much with the summer break, but then explained to him that the 'big news' was with the IRL right now.

I had read a few articles on speedtv.com which said that although there might be problems, that the move to verses should not as bad as some are predicting, drawning comparisons to the NHL. Reading those made me feel not as bad about the move. My dad isn't a huge racing fan, but he knows his hockey and he went on to explain that it has apparently been disasterous for the NHL! Although the actual broadcast might have improved, he said that they lost a large ammount of their casual audience who either were not into hockey enough to purchase verses, or couldn't find it even if they had it.

I hope it works out, as I've said before I want to IRL to succeed (even though I followed champcar). It is disheartening to see them blow their golden opportunity that came with 'unification'.

[race1010]

If NHL hockey on TV in the States couldn't make it interesting for the potential fans (don't we all remember the Foxtrax blue puck to help new fans follow the play??) on major networks, it ain't gonna even be watched on Versus. Not with NBA, MLB, NFL, Nascar etc., all plying for the same fans on real TV stations....just my $0.02 worth.