Versus will become the exclusive cable television home of the Indy Racing League

Per NY Times: Versus will become the exclusive cable television home of the Indy Racing League next year with its agreement to a 10-year deal worth an estimated $60 million. Versus, which will take over from ESPN and ESPN2, will carry 13 races. ABC will continue to broadcast the Indianapolis 500 and four other I.R.L. events. The agreement also gives Versus the rights to carry all of the Indy 500 qualifying. Scott Guglielmino, a vice president for programming for ESPN, said shedding the 13 I.R.L. races was not connected to the network’s holding Nascar rights.


VERY BAD MOVE Indy racing is now dead to me as we do not get Versus on our cable package and I am not paying extra for premium channels. Nobody gets Versus. Arch rival UCLA put a couple of games on Versus and only 1 out of 10 fans at best could find it - it was a disaster. At least Spike and Speed are basic cable - Versus is digital premium channel only - I doubt even your favorite sporta bar gets it.

If the IRL wants to be invisible to the general sporting public, broadcasting on Versus assures that !!!! Hello, anonimity...

Thank god USC football starts in less than a month - Go Trojans !!!

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Originally Posted by SoCalPVguy

Per NY Times: Versus will become the exclusive cable television home of the Indy Racing League next year with its agreement to a 10-year deal worth an estimated $60 million. Versus, which will take over from ESPN and ESPN2, will carry 13 races. ABC will continue to broadcast the Indianapolis 500 and four other I.R.L. events. The agreement also gives Versus the rights to carry all of the Indy 500 qualifying. Scott Guglielmino, a vice president for programming for ESPN, said shedding the 13 I.R.L. races was not connected to the network’s holding Nascar rights.


VERY BAD MOVE Indy racing is now dead to me as we do not get Versus on our cable package and I am not paying extra for premium channels. Nobody gets Versus. Arch rival UCLA put a couple of games on Versus and only 1 out of 10 fans at best could find it - it was a disaster. At least Spike and Speed are basic cable - Versus is digital premium channel only - I doubt even your favorite sporta bar gets it.

If the IRL wants to be invisible to the general sporting public, broadcasting on Versus assures that !!!! Hello, anonimity...

Thank god USC football starts in less than a month - Go Trojans !!!

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60 millions :o Amazing!!! + ABC Money

i have never heard of Versus?? but im still happy for indycar to get off ESPN,
it makes it wosre when your on a channel that also carrys nascar, cuz when it comes down to it, witch race will they carry?

again i never heard of Versus so i guess thats a bad thing,
its to bad nascar pretty much owns speedtv, cuz does anyone rember the old speed vision channel? they use to show alot of open weel racing, it sucks that nascar owns them now, cuz that channel could he been great,but we need a channel that even are friends from europe can watch ;)

I get versus(but I'm the only one of all my friends), but I agree it's a strange move for a sport trying to get into the mainstream again...

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Originally Posted by SoCalPVguy

a 10-year deal worth an estimated $60 million

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Seems to me like Tony George has finally grown tired of funding some parts of the IRL out of his own (i.e. IMS's) pocket now that he's won the open-wheel war (by default).

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Originally Posted by domaza

60 millions :o Amazing!!! + ABC Money

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with its agreement to a 10-year deal worth an estimated $60 million.

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Anybody else notice they didn't specify who is paying whom?

Versus used to be Outdoor Life Network, an I believe it's owned by Comcast, so no comcast, no versus unless they have a deal with your satellite provider. At least I get it and it is only 1 channel off all of the ESPN/ and local sports Channels on our Comcast lineup, so it's in the channel surfing neighborhood. Too bad sponsors won't give a rat's behind about the league now. They will basically see a 5 race series now.

Versus...hmm...why do I feel I've been down this road before? Oh yeah, CC and Spike. And to commit to 10 years at 6 mil a year? Doesn't seem like anyone is expecting a lot of growth in the series to make such a long term deal on a fairly obscure cable chanel. With the races still being produced by ESPN it seems we'll keep getting the same lousy production work we've come to expect this year. Sorry, hard to see this as anything but a step backward.

Well, in retrospect, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. ICS is now on ESPN and ABC, and their ratings are not going up whatsoever.
I know ratings will most likely fall because of this, but we'll have to see what the real story is.
I get versus, I'm happy.

From a British perspective, I'm wondering how this affects Five's coverage. They tend to get most of their US sports coverage from ESPN. It would be a shame to lose it just as the series starts gathering momentum.

Although, as long as the indycar.com website keeps showing races for free, it might not be too much of an issue...

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Originally Posted by DBell

Versus...hmm...why do I feel I've been down this road before? Oh yeah, CC and Spike. .

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Spike is in 96.1 Million Households

Versus is in 73 million. SO about 1/4 less homes.

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Originally Posted by nigelred5

Versus used to be Outdoor Life Network, an I believe it's owned by Comcast, so no comcast, no versus unless they have a deal with your satellite provider.

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Not true. I have Versus on my basic cable package and I have Brighthouse.

So the deal is worth 60 Million, eh? I believe I predicted 30-50 Million in the other thread. Guess I was a little low.

As for being invisible to the general public: They already are on ESPN, so what's the difference? At least now we'll be getting better coverage.

It sounds like there's going to be much more airtime on VS., separated from the glut of NASCAR on ESPN and Speed, at a time when the former OLN is in expansion mode and Comcast owns it, so I 'spect VS. is on the basic cable package on Comcast everywhere. The link the IRL has with DirecTV makes it available to everyone who goes that direction, and that's the technology of the future. ESPN is still in charge of international rights (rain or shine). And the IRL is still getting cash for the races and Indy and four others are on ABC.

Time will tell, but when I say time, I mean 3-5 years, not some 3-point "microwave" gain at Long Beach.

Just FYI, I have Comcast, but VS is not in my cable package here in Memphis, It's in the Digital Variety Tier. I guess the only thing I need to figure out now is how much it's gonna cost me. :angryfire

I have Time Warner Cable, and have Versus. HD is split with the Golf Channel.

Anyway, I don't think there's a positive spin to this at all. Too bad.

Found some interesting numbers. They are close to what has been posted previously, although like anything, the dates they were tabulated are important.

70 million television households for Versus (Dec 2006)
70 million television households for Speed (2006)
90 million television households for Spike TV (Dec 2006)
94 million television households for ESPN (Current from ESPN website)
90 million television households for ESPN2 (Current from ESPN website)

I get Versus, but only found one program some time ago that was worth watching. However, it looks like the program package will be much better than what ESPN and ABC are doing now so it may work out. With Speed going NASCAR all the time, there isn't much room left for other motor sports.

Just because a channel is available to a trillion people, doesn't mean that 50 of them are watching.

This is not good.

I get Versus with my Directv package. Since I'm in Colorado Springs and we don't have a racing track within a 500mile radius that is allowed to host a Indycar race. I don't feel sorry for you guys back on the East, Midwest or on the West coast crying about you don't have Versus.

On the surface, it would seem to be an interesting, if odd move, going from ESPN/ESPN2 to Versus.......then again, there seems to be a couple of positives from today's announcement:
(1)each IndyCar broadcast on Versus will be, at a minimum, a 3-hr. broadcast without being joined in progress(IIRC, haven't a couple of ESPN's IndyCar broadcasts begun by them joining the race after it starts?) with extended pre-race coverage.
(2)a preview show the day before each race
(3)re-airs of all IndyCar races(regardless of whether the race originally ran on ABC or Versus) the following week
(4)a minimum of 10 hours of IndyCar-related programming each year
(5)weekly broadcasts of Indy Lights races

Granted, who knows if the move from ESPN to Versus will be a good move or not, but considering that ESPN seems to be slowly but surely moving towards NASCAR's sphere of influence, this could be a good move long-term.

We get Versus on Charter. If your cable system doesn't get it, hopefully you can get a satellite dish. If both of those aren't happening, there's the streaming video.

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Originally Posted by mlittle

On the surface, it would seem to be an interesting, if odd move, going from ESPN/ESPN2 to Versus.......then again, there seems to be a couple of positives from today's announcement:
(1)each IndyCar broadcast on Versus will be, at a minimum, a 3-hr. broadcast without being joined in progress(IIRC, haven't a couple of ESPN's IndyCar broadcasts begun by them joining the race after it starts?) with extended pre-race coverage.
(2)a preview show the day before each race
(3)re-airs of all IndyCar races(regardless of whether the race originally ran on ABC or Versus) the following week
(4)a minimum of 10 hours of IndyCar-related programming each year
(5)weekly broadcasts of Indy Lights races

Granted, who knows if the move from ESPN to Versus will be a good move or not, but considering that ESPN seems to be slowly but surely moving towards NASCAR's sphere of influence, this could be a good move long-term.

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This would all be well and good IF we actually could get that channel.

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Originally Posted by SoCalPVguy

At least Spike and Speed are basic cable - Versus is digital premium channel only - I doubt even your favorite sporta bar gets it.

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Where I am (Silicon Valley) Versus is basic cable and SPEED is in a sports package that costs an extra $5/month. (Worth it.)

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Originally Posted by mlittle

On the surface, it would seem to be an interesting, if odd move, going from ESPN/ESPN2 to Versus.......then again, there seems to be a couple of positives from today's announcement:
(1)each IndyCar broadcast on Versus will be, at a minimum, a 3-hr. broadcast without being joined in progress(IIRC, haven't a couple of ESPN's IndyCar broadcasts begun by them joining the race after it starts?) with extended pre-race coverage.
(2)a preview show the day before each race
(3)re-airs of all IndyCar races(regardless of whether the race originally ran on ABC or Versus) the following week
(4)a minimum of 10 hours of IndyCar-related programming each year
(5)weekly broadcasts of Indy Lights races

Granted, who knows if the move from ESPN to Versus will be a good move or not, but considering that ESPN seems to be slowly but surely moving towards NASCAR's sphere of influence, this could be a good move long-term.

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I think if it's a good move or not comes down to how well the package is managed. Remember, racing put ESPN on the map. If Versus is enthusiatic and serious about this partnership, they will use Indy Car racing to build up their viewership. They seem to have the strategy right.

Sure, Spike had these cards, but they failed to play them well.

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Originally Posted by DrDomm

I have Time Warner Cable, and have Versus. HD is split with the Golf Channel.

Anyway, I don't think there's a positive spin to this at all. Too bad.

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Where are you located? Here in Cincinnati Time warner does not have Versus.

Gary

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Originally Posted by garyshell

Where are you located? Here in Cincinnati Time warner does not have Versus.

Gary

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If Gary doesn't get to see the races, there might be a problem..............

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Originally Posted by jimispeed

If Gary doesn't get to see the races, there might be a problem..............

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That is what I thought!!!!!

<big ol' grin>

Gary

Talking about the ratings. There is a difference between Spike and VS. VS is a sports channel while Spike has almost all scripted shows. I will give you one thing to think about with this whole thing. The NHL. It was on ESPN had a lockout and then went to VS. http://www.andrewsstarspage.com/NHL-...TV-Ratings.htm
Versus's regular season coverage of the NHL is down about 170,000 viewers from games that ran on ESPN and up about 60,000 viewers from games that ran on ESPN2. And this is including the fact that many fans were driven away by the fact they had a whole year canceled. VS has the NHL and college football including games from BCS conferences the Pac 10 and Big 12 and fringe sports like bull riding. It is also growing every year ie thier football coverage has gone from 9 games 2 years ago to 23 this year. Also when Spike did their coverage they did not have any pre or post race shows like VS is going to have or a weekly Firestone Indy Lights telecast, at least 10 hours of ancillary programming each season, extensive coverage of all Indianapolis 500 qualification days, and more yet to be worked out. This is not going to a nothing station for no reason other then no one wants you. This is going to a network that is willing to give you more exposure on thier station then if you were on an ESPN or Speed station.

And for those who don't get VS here is an article for you http://mvn.com/irl/2008/08/07/to-ind...ew-tv-package/

I posted this on the other thread about this topic, thought I'd post it here too and see what you guys thought over here.

I'm not all that thrilled about this. The optimist in me wants to think that this is going to end up being a really good thing. But then I think about CC and Spike, and I just don't know.

You know something just occured to me. Vs has the America's Cup, and The Tour de France (plus some other cycling stuff), now they have the IRL. Add a plane race or two, some CORR stuff, etc. and Vs will get back to the old SpeedVision days. That could work out to be awesome! We've all been wanting a Speed2 that has MOTORSPORTS on it not NASCAB, right?

Wow, what an impressively bad piece of news. Tony has officially made American open wheel racing a footnote.

We just had a channel shuffle here on Comcast in central Connecticut a few weeks ago so I had to double check, but yes, we do indeed have Vs. here. Who knew? Looks like I'll get to watch the races, if I can stomach a couple more years of this formula. The lack of innovation is killing my interest.

I think it can work well.
TG is getting paid at last which will in part be reinvested.
At last we will get a quality production rather than the crap I have been watching for the last four years covering both ChampCar and the IRL. Good commentators, ten hours of non racing coverage about the series.
VERSUS get free advertising from ABC for the races they do not cover,
I am sure they will sell the package to Eurosport or similar meaning the European fanbase will also get the improved coverage.
Interesting to see who gets the extra race or two in 2010 if the series expands to 20 races.
Bring it on and I reckon it will work as anything is better than the present coverage. If you have not got VERSUS, go get it as they are a top quality progamme company.

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Originally Posted by garyshell

Where are you located? Here in Cincinnati Time warner does not have Versus.

Gary

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Upstate NY (Binghamton).

I guess they don't have a counterpart in LatinAmerica right?

I hope ESPN can continue broadcasting it here

I suspect the coverage will be no better or worse to the viewers, since the release says ESPN will still be producing all of the coverage, it's just a question of how many viewers there will be. Will it actually get the cross-network promotion from Comcast. Clearly they laid down the cash to promote their national sports channel, even though they also have the regional Comcast Sportsnet, so I hope so. Will they be able to get advertisers to sponsor the side by side? Can we get Marty and Scott replaced?? Can we get real pit reporters???.

I have a MobiTV on my cell and still can watch races.

Versus? Sounds like Spike TV to me. This better not be a Kalkhoven influence. Oh well, I'll keep my MobiTV and watch Baskeball and Football....oh wait I see NASCAR too.

I have DISH in central Indiana. I will have to increase my package to get Versus. Cost increase of around $25/month for channels I am unlikely to view except Versus.

I fail to see how this will improve TV viewership when the economy is in a downturn. Why would anyone pay more money to watch 19 - 20 races a year? TV Viewership will go down IMO.

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Originally Posted by Cart750hp

I have a MobiTV on my cell and still can watch races.

Versus? Sounds like Spike TV to me. This better not be a Kalkhoven influence. Oh well, I'll keep my MobiTV and watch Baskeball and Football....oh wait I see NASCAR too.

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Funny you should mention the Kalkster since w/o Surfers at the moment, the Aussie Vineyards sponsorship disappears and probably Power does too. He's sold out on one series, put another team owner to the sidelines (Walker) and now a suggestion he is trying to put the ICS into more obscurity with this deal.

The contract is bad, no question about it, IMO.

Champcar did this with Spike. It was a disaster. VS. just shows a bunch of hunting shows right now!!

Hardly the market for Indycar.

And won't this just make Indycar have to spend more to promote it's product and bring people to a network that most people don't even venture to, let alone know exists??

Sounds like one of Champcars biggest mistakes!!

I think maybe staying with ESPN, and improving everything about the series first would be a better choice. Both would cost more money, but people would see it, and ESPN would pay more positive dividends IMO.

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Originally Posted by jimispeed

Champcar did this with Spike. It was a disaster. VS. just shows a bunch of hunting shows right now!!

Hardly the market for Indycar.

And won't this just make Indycar have to spend more to promote it's product and bring people to a network that most people don't even venture to, let alone know exists??

Sounds like one of Champcars biggest mistakes!!

I think maybe staying with ESPN, and improving everything about the series first would be a better choice. Both would cost more money, but people would see it, and ESPN would pay more positive dividends IMO.

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No they show a lot more than JUST hunting shows. Lose the hyperbole. They also have the Americas Cup, the Tour de France, NHL etc.

Stay with ESPN and continue to play second or third fiddle to NASCAR, why?

I am not at all happy with the choice of Versus. But I am happy with telling ESPN to take a hike. What has the mouse network done for the series? Very damn little.

Gary

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Originally Posted by jimispeed

Champcar did this with Spike. It was a disaster.

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Except...

- The ICS is actually getting PAID by Versus. Champcar had to pay Spike for airtime.

- Champcar had a one hour MAXIMUM timeslot for races on Spike. The ICS will have a 3 hour MINIMUM timeslot for races.

- Champcar was secondary programming on Spike that got no promotion at all and the network hardly cared how well it did. The ICS will be primary programming on Versus and will be promoted to death by a network that actually wants to succeed and has the potential to become the next ESPN by providing an alternative for sports fans who are sick of ESPN's love of Spelling Bee's and Poker instead of actual sports.

- Versus is actually a sports network that shows the NHL, the Tour de France, College Football and Basketball, Rugby, other motorsports, among other things. Spike has Pros v.s. Joes and UFC mixed in with their endless re-runs of video shows filled with gas station attendants protecting their money from robbers.