NASCAR considering OTT network

FLRacingFan

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Still couldn't show live national series races until after 2024...but something to think about it until then. Wouldn't be surprised to see some of the content currently on FansChoice.TV wind up there if it happens.

https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com.../Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NASCAR-OTT.aspx

NASCAR continues to look into the possibility of launching an over-the-top streaming service, according to sources, even though the sport’s live media rights are tied up through 2024.

The sanctioning body licenses its media rights to Fox Sports and NBC Sports, which are set to air all races from the sport’s three national series for another six years after 2018.

However, amid the rise of internet streaming and given the expansive coverage opportunities around motorsports, NASCAR has been studying the idea of launching an OTT service, according to sources. The possibility was first acknowledged in a tweet by former NASCAR President Brent Dewar in January.

NASCAR declined comment.

The network could launch as soon as 2020, according to one source, but issues such as the revenue model and use of outside vendors remain unclear.

While such a network couldn’t show live races from NASCAR national series races until 2025, it could show everything from lower-level forms of racing to archived events and NASCAR/motorsports lifestyle content. It is unknown whether the network could show highlights after races air on Fox and NBC channels.

NASCAR has been focused in recent years on building out its digital media presence and increasing the star power of its drivers. Having a streaming network would give the series a platform to further those efforts.

Formula One launched an OTT network this year that shows live races. Meanwhile, IndyCar will be part of a new OTT channel on NBC Sports’ Gold OTT network.
 
I would be so down for this. I’d hope it’d be a model like WWE Network in as far as showing races from yesteryear, original progaming and content, behind the scenes with drivers and teams during race weekends. I’d so pay for this.
 
Could have a live content programming of ARCA, K&N, Stock Car Invitational, Modifieds, weekly late models, along with Euro/Mexico/Pinty's Series. Maybe they could poach other racing series to the NASCAR Channel.
 
"The network could launch as soon as 2020, according to one source, but issues such as the revenue model and use of outside vendors remain unclear..."
Sports that rely heavily on third-party sponsorship have serious issues to consider when moving to specialized content platforms. You would have to make enough money from subscriptions to offset the inevitable decline of sponsorship revenue. B2B sponsorships may not be impaired too much, but consumer-driven deals would be.

I would definitely be a buyer if Cup races were streamed commercial-free. Even better would be Cup, Xfinity, and trucks... including practice and qualifying. MotoGP has a deal like that for about $100 per year (20 race weekends), with first rate coverage and commentary. For Nascar at ~$300... I'd be an instant buyer.
 
Sports that rely heavily on third-party sponsorship have serious issues to consider when moving to specialized content platforms. You would have to make enough money from subscriptions to offset the inevitable decline of sponsorship revenue. B2B sponsorships may not be impaired too much, but consumer-driven deals would be.

I would definitely be a buyer if Cup races were streamed commercial-free. Even better would be Cup, Xfinity, and trucks... including practice and qualifying. MotoGP has a deal like that for about $100 per year (20 race weekends), with first rate coverage and commentary. For Nascar at ~$300... I'd be an instant buyer.

I’m not saying 300 bucks is not good value but I don’t think it would be a big seller. JMO
 
Sports that rely heavily on third-party sponsorship have serious issues to consider when moving to specialized content platforms. You would have to make enough money from subscriptions to offset the inevitable decline of sponsorship revenue. B2B sponsorships may not be impaired too much, but consumer-driven deals would be.

I would definitely be a buyer if Cup races were streamed commercial-free. Even better would be Cup, Xfinity, and trucks... including practice and qualifying. MotoGP has a deal like that for about $100 per year (20 race weekends), with first rate coverage and commentary. For Nascar at ~$300... I'd be an instant buyer.

If I could be able to drop about 25 worthless cable top tier channels that I am paying for to get just Nascar, I'm all in. Last week my cable people added FS 2 whoopie, wait until the season is over..SMH. I subscribed to the Lucas oil channel a couple of years ago and it was a rip off mess. For good live events 300 bucks hail yeah
 
If I could be able to drop about 25 worthless cable top tier channels that I am paying for to get just Nascar, I'm all in. Last week my cable people added FS 2 whoopie, wait until the season is over..SMH. I subscribed to the Lucas oil channel a couple of years ago and it was a rip off mess. For good live events 300 bucks hail yeah

NASCAR should be much less than 300 bucks as the NHL is less and they show hundreds of live games
 
Online streaming is OK for people that already are committed to your product, but it doesn't do much to grow the base.
Actually, it might.

I’ve scrolled passed live IndyCar races on my social media feeds that I didnt even know were occuring and watched them, and became more educated on the season.

The same can easily happen with NASCAR if they will sponsor the live video post and target demographics interested in car racing.

Knowing what the social media and internet streaming capability and sources will be 6 years from now is the key.

A move in the positive direction IMO.
 
If I could be able to drop about 25 worthless cable top tier channels that I am paying for to get just Nascar, I'm all in. Last week my cable people added FS 2 whoopie, wait until the season is over..SMH. I subscribed to the Lucas oil channel a couple of years ago and it was a rip off mess. For good live events 300 bucks hail yeah


I have sling tv. $25 a month with fs1, fs2 and nbcsn.
 
Could have a live content programming of ARCA, K&N, Stock Car Invitational, Modifieds, weekly late models, along with Euro/Mexico/Pinty's Series. Maybe they could poach other racing series to the NASCAR Channel.
I’d never leave the house again if they’d add some World Of Outlaws races somehow, I’d be geeked just to get weekly ARCA races
 
They would need to live stream the races or it would be a no go for me. That's something that always kept me from the WWE Network was that they dont show Raw and Smackdown live.
 
I’d never leave the house again if they’d add some World Of Outlaws races somehow, I’d be geeked just to get weekly ARCA races

Basically take some of CBSSN & some of MavTV's content and bring it over to NASCAR Network along with the rest of the NASCAR/ARCA & NASCAR Home Tracks stuff.
 
I've said for a couple years that Netflix is NASCAR's golden ticket. Upload races within hours after completion and you'll see a HUGE spike in viewership from hardcore fans, casual fans, and new fans. Netflix Sports will be the future of sports TV viewing....mark my words.
 
Actually, it might.

I’ve scrolled passed live IndyCar races on my social media feeds that I didnt even know were occuring and watched them, and became more educated on the season.

The same can easily happen with NASCAR if they will sponsor the live video post and target demographics interested in car racing.

Knowing what the social media and internet streaming capability and sources will be 6 years from now is the key

A move in the positive direction IMO.

Those that stand still get left behind. Young people today don't sit at home watching television
but they scroll through a lot on their phones.
I honestly believe that satellite and cable TV will be things of the past in the not to distant future.
Internet and live streaming will be the choice and the very fact they are now putting WiFi in cars is just one indicator.
 
Those that stand still get left behind. Young people today don't sit at home watching television
but they scroll through a lot on their phones.
I honestly believe that satellite and cable TV will be things of the past in the not to distant future.
Internet and live streaming will be the choice and the very fact they are now putting WiFi in cars is just one indicator.
The issue with this is most of rural America still has sub-par internet speeds required for streaming. And rural America is predominately the NASCAR fanbase.
 
The things I don't understand is why in the hell would ANYBODY want to watch a sporting event on a phone? We've spent the last 75 years making ever bigger TV screens and now people want to watch on something they can hold in their hand? Why not just record it and watch it later? Secondly, unless live streaming gets a HELL OF A LOT better than my experiences with it, it's a non starter. I have spent more time trying to get it work right than watching the programming. For the last several years I have attempted to watch the overnight hours of the Rolex 24 on live streaming, over two or three different networks, and the results are generally terrible. I have an almost new computer and fiber optic internet in the second most populated county in the state of Indiana in the middle of a densely packed neighborhood. I have also tried to watch some episodes of TV series I have missed, and I usually just end up saying the hell with it.
 
My prediction, nascars been told by the networks that they will only bid on the cup races, leaving xfinity, the trucks, practice, and qualifying without a tv telecast. So this service will be the exclusive source for whatever is left after the big tv revenue disappears.
 
The things I don't understand is why in the hell would ANYBODY want to watch a sporting event on a phone? We've spent the last 75 years making ever bigger TV screens and now people want to watch on something they can hold in their hand? Why not just record it and watch it later? Secondly, unless live streaming gets a HELL OF A LOT better than my experiences with it, it's a non starter. I have spent more time trying to get it work right than watching the programming. For the last several years I have attempted to watch the overnight hours of the Rolex 24 on live streaming, over two or three different networks, and the results are generally terrible. I have an almost new computer and fiber optic internet in the second most populated county in the state of Indiana in the middle of a densely packed neighborhood. I have also tried to watch some episodes of TV series I have missed, and I usually just end up saying the hell with it.
I don't think anyone in the world prefers to watch a sporting event on their phone over a TV. It all comes down to convenience....maybe you're traveling, fishing, at your mother-in-law's, or at work. In this day & age convenience trumps everything else, especially for the millennials.

I will agree that most streaming outlets have awful quality in terms of consistency. You can have the best internet connection in the world but it means nothing if the streaming service can't handle the demand. The only streaming service I've had minimal issues with thus far is the NFL.
 
The issue with this is most of rural America still has sub-par internet speeds required for streaming. And rural America is predominately the NASCAR fanbase.

Very good point. Corporate America has ripped off their customers for years but that to will end.
The day is coming when a satellite will be the controller of the internet.
I used to have a 10 foot dish and free satellite. Then they started to charge a $1,000. dollar fee every year. Then they got bought out and only service remote areas in the artic.
I believe that will cycle back and the networks will no longer control things.
 
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