Speed Network Potentially Turning Into An All Sports Network Like ESPN

[webby]

For anyone who tuned to Speed over the weekend, you may have noticed a new Fox Sports logo looming at the bottom of the screen. According to SB Nation, this could be a bad sign for motorsports fans as it seems to verify rumors that Fox is on the verge of changing Speed into an all-sports network like ESPN.

Although we're thankful that the channel never completely turned into the 24-hour NASCAR channel as was evidently intended when Fox took over in 2001, it has become a go-to channel for all things motorsports from the mainstream to the offbeat. Speed has already expanded its broadcasting to include reality shows like Pass Time, Pinks and Hard Parts: South Bronx, but it is also the only place to find coverage for racing series such as Australian V8 Supercar, Formula One Racing and Grand-Am.

The Wall Street Journal says that converting Speed to a sports network would allow the company to capitalize on a new eight-year deal it just worked out with Major League Baseball that would allow for better distribution of games among cable and satellite companies. Only time will tell what as to what becomes ofSpeed, but for fans of motorsports coverage, things aren't looking good.

 

[07TLX]

This annoys me.... I used to like speed and some of the more unusual racing they showed now its just crap. Hope Discovery 's Velocity station can change up a bit and show more racing

 

[Monk]

The only thing I watch on Speed is motor orientated programs, I don't watch team event games at all. Lose the motors lose me......... Go Velocity !

 

[Peter Salerno]

NBC will be picking up formula 1. Where the rest of the line up goes is a crap shoot right now. I would love to see velocity pickup everything. I really do not think NBC's current commentators are capable of what speed did..

 

[webby]

^^

It is now official, coverage of Formula 1 in the US will now be seen on either NBC or NBC Sports Network, as Speed will conclude its 17-year run with Formula One at the end of this season. In a report fromAutosport, we read that NBC Sports Group has signed on to bring American viewers F1 for the next four years. The financial details of the deal were not specified.

The plan is to broadcast four races on NBC and the other sixteen on NBC Sports Network. It is reported that practice and qualifying sessions will be covered on the Sports Network as well. The four NBC-shown races will be the Canadian GP, as well as the final three races of the season.

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone remains confident in the new arrangement, "I feel that [NBC] will promote Formula 1 to a level not seen before in the United States," he continued, "I very much look forward to working with NBC. Together, we will endeavor to broaden the scope of Formula 1 coverage available to US viewers incorporating digital content." NBC has touted its online coverage of sporting events such as the Olympics, and could bring a whole new dynamic to the way Formula 1 is covered in the United States.

With the debut of the United States Grand Prix around the corner, NBC could have picked an ideal time to start covering the sport. But before NBC can capitalize on the Austin, TX-held event, Speed will get a shot at the race, which is on November 18. It is Speed's second-to-last race. The final F1 race to be broadcast on Speed is the Brazilian Grand Prix, on November 25.

 

[Peter Salerno]

Should be interesting who NBC picks up as commentators. They have mentioned having possibly 2 people on the ground at all the races very much like ABC sports did it back in the 70's..