ESPN cutting back on Nationwide?

[NDilbeckWx]

Will ESPN leave some Nationwide rights available?

Interesting. Personally, wouldn't mind seeing FOX do some Nationwide races again.

 

[celticfang]

Spike TV? (Formerly TNN?)

They covered CCWS after all for...er....One race if I recall? (Tag's only CCWS win too)

The sanctioning body could decide to split the Nationwide package between its Sprint Cup rights holders. That would allow Fox to buy the first half of the season and ESPN, or another broadcaster, to take the second half. Such a move would give both broadcasters the type of cost efficiencies ESPN wants, both in production and advertising sales.

So, Fox/TNT as it is now for Cup?

Please, NO!

 

[4WideRacing]

It does make a lot of sense to have the same network broadcast both races when they are at the same track.

 

[K.Chuck]

I would see them airing on the new fox sports network.

 

[Frigus5]

The way I see it, that's great. If ESPN is having problems covering the series that way, then this would be the best for them. That way, it will be much easier for ESPN to cover the series with better coverage. NASCAR needs ESPN in order to keep NASCAR in the eyes of their precious casual fan. If Brian France wants to keep attracting those types of fans, for God's sakes make sure ESPN still has rights.

I do honestly believe that NBC should pick up the N'Wide Series. And take the rights away from TNT and move the TNT crew to NBC, because it basically is that way to begin with. Just fire KP and problems are solved. For me anyway.

Just keep FOX's races off cable. If they don't care enough to keep SPEED, they don't get to air the N'Wide Series on FS1. Which shouldn't exist anyway. ESPN is doing just fine mixing auto sports with ball sports. Don't need more of that with idiots who don't know anything about it talking about it. Or trying to. Just give it to NBC who will actually care for it.

Not saying FOX won't. But more races on cable is seriously not the direction NASCAR needs to go in right now. Making them less accessible for people to view is what is killing IndyCar right now with ABC holding exclusive network television rights. NBC can pour their heart and soul into rights (though they've suffered massively with Jenkins' retirement and the re alignment of the booth putting TinkerBell in the booth and putting the informative and intelligent Jon Beekhuis to the pits) and it will barely generate anything.

Point is, more races on cable is not the direction they should be looking. And if the god awful FS1 actually has Sprint Cup and N'Wide races on it, what good does that do? Put them on FOX. Actually, I don't care if the N'Wide series is on FS1. The Cup series should just not be on cable at all. But, that can be impossible at times. So, I'm rambling.