2025 NASCAR TV contract

FLRacingFan

FLRacingFan

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Making this for rumors and speculation since the new deal(s) should be signed in 2023.

Last month Adam Stern reported NASCAR is evaluating selling a portion of its rights to a digital streaming service. NBC and Disney have gotten big into streaming with exclusive Peacock and ESPN+ content. According to Larry Mann, EVP of a sports marketing/media agency, it’s quite likely there will be some sort of component involved.

“I think we’ll see (a streaming) player. It’s common in this age that this will be part of the agreement,” Mann said. NBC’s portion of the new Big Ten football rightshas it paying an estimated $350 million a year, and its paywalled Peacock streaming platform will have eight games a season when the deal begins in 2023 — part of the network’s strategy to grow subscriptions and ad revenue (and become profitable).
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“Does that inhibit Fox from keeping NASCAR?” Mann wondered. He also speculated that tech giants like Apple or Amazon are potential media partners for the stock car circuit.
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He also said NASCAR is interested in midweek events again, despite cooling off on them during the COVID season when they were run out of necessity and generated lackluster ratings. This could open up a separate package to more rights holders, perhaps as part of the rumor of expanding to 40 races - something akin to Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football?

ESPN has a renewed interesting in motor racing and is seen as a potential player to get back into NASCAR.

After a rough beginning to the current TV deals, NASCAR’s rating seem to have stabilized over the past three or four seasons and given the current media market, a strong increase in rights fees seems like a guarantee. Teams are also expected to get a larger slice of the pie when the new TV deal and new charter agreements sync up in 2025.

What do y’all think? Streaming or no? Which networks would you like to see take over as the main broadcasters?



 
CBS would open a new demographic up, NASCAR has an aging fanbase, right? Well thanks to corporate synergy, there is one option, remember the NFL Wild Card Game on Nickelodeon?

Well that, but a NASCAR version
 
I wish we could get a CBS — TNT Summer Series - ABC/ESPN similar to the 2007-2014 deal.
 
kkfan91 said:
I mean NASCAR fans come off as the most technologically illiterate people on the planet so I'm sure they will bitch a ton about streaming races.
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I’ve never heard a complaint about a race being on Peacock
 
DewChaser988 said:
CBS would open a new demographic up, NASCAR has an aging fanbase, right? Well thanks to corporate synergy, there is one option, remember the NFL Wild Card Game on Nickelodeon?

Well that, but a NASCAR version
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I think Most people, including NASCAR wildly overestimate the energy the majority of the fanbase will expend to watch the races. Unlike many other sports, there is no hometown teams and little fantasy action or gambling. Streaming will also put the final nail in the coffin of the older fanbase. I think it's fine as a companion option, but I think it's a huge mistake to be an only option. I've got Peacock, and I don't think I've looked at it four months.
 
Formerjackman said:
I think Most people, including NASCAR wildly overestimate the energy the majority of the fanbase will expend to watch the races. Unlike many other sports, there is no hometown teams and little fantasy action or gambling. Streaming will also put the final nail in the coffin of the older fanbase. I think it's fine as a companion option, but I think it's a huge mistake to be an only option. I've got Peacock, and I don't think I've looked at it four months.
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I only use Peacock to binge Yellowstone and watch WWE PPV’s.
 
Formerjackman said:
I think Most people, including NASCAR wildly overestimate the energy the majority of the fanbase will expend to watch the races. Unlike many other sports, there is no hometown teams and little fantasy action or gambling. Streaming will also put the final nail in the coffin of the older fanbase. I think it's fine as a companion option, but I think it's a huge mistake to be an only option. I've got Peacock, and I don't think I've looked at it four months.
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I don’t love the NASCAR corporate shills we got for every move they do, but they aren’t dumb enough to put anything more than 1 race a season as a Peacock or ESPN+ exclusive. TV is still valuable to many.

I highly doubt they will even do exclusive streaming only either, as Phelps & O’Donnell seem to understand that NASCAR Cup needs to be on network TV, along with Xfinity and Trucks on a viable network.

Seemed like there was a bit of outrage over IndyCar @ Toronto on streaming so I do not see this being an issue like some of you are making out to be.
 
I’ve been saying for AT LEAST 3 years that NASCAR on Netflix would be the best move for the sport. Be the first sport to livestream on the platform and be able to watch full race replays
 
AuzGrams said:
I don’t love the NASCAR corporate shills we got for every move they do, but they aren’t dumb enough to put anything more than 1 race a season as a Peacock or ESPN+ exclusive. TV is still valuable to many.

I highly doubt they will even do exclusive streaming only either, as Phelps & O’Donnell seem to understand that NASCAR Cup needs to be on network TV, along with Xfinity and Trucks on a viable network.

Seemed like there was a bit of outrage over IndyCar @ Toronto on streaming so I do not see this being an issue like some of you are making out to be.
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Streaming is what cable was years ago, especially sports networks when the most recent deals were signed a decade ago. I wouldn’t be surprised if NASCAR both secured more OTA races and moved some cable content to streaming platforms. I know they want the number of OTA races to keep increasing too. Networks and streaming services would pay a lot more to stream races so it’d be a best of both worlds. Xfinity races in particular would probably be a good product for streaming.

I’m curious what happens with the Truck Series, FOX has the whole season and their coverage seems really lazy. NASCAR may want someone who will actually invest in good coverage there.
 
FLRacingFan said:
Streaming is what cable was years ago, especially sports networks when the most recent deals were signed a decade ago. I wouldn’t be surprised if NASCAR both secured more OTA races and moved some cable content to streaming platforms. I know they want the number of OTA races to keep increasing too. Networks and streaming services would pay a lot more to stream races so it’d be a best of both worlds. Xfinity races in particular would probably be a good product for streaming.

I’m curious what happens with the Truck Series, FOX has the whole season and their coverage seems really lazy. NASCAR may want someone who will actually invest in good coverage there.
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I’ll believe it when I see it. These TV networks still need good content these days.
 
I find 40 races to be totally unnecessary but a midweek race at Las Vegas in the fall would be kinda cool.
 
So many variables.

I still think it'll be Fox and ESPN on the linear TV side. There's been some talk that there could be four broadcast partners. Although, I'm surprised Fox hasn't already renewed.

Wherever TNT's NBA package ends up will be a factor too. If Fox gets NBA, I could actually see them dropping NASCAR. And what if the rumors about Comcast buying WB from Discovery in 2024 are true?
 
Charlie Spencer said:
WB is still alive? I haven’t looked at it since Charmed ended.
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WB = Warner Bros, which encompasses WB movies, WB animation, HBO Max, HBO, TNT, TBS, TruTV, The CW (in part), CNN, TCM, DC Comics, the Harry Potter franchise, and more.

They were bought by Discovery and the merger took place this year, and it's been a disaster under David Zaslav. They canceled several projects, closed down several studios, canceled the release of a heavily-anticipated movie that was already completed, canceled every scripted drama series on TNT, upended CNN, gutted WB Animation in a way that Cartoon Network's future is unknown, have hinted at pulling the plug on TCM, and are gutting HBO Max (arguably the best streaming service) and merging it with Discovery+ with WB Discovery's focus moving forward being on "unscripted dramas" (Reality TV).

How all this pertains to NASCAR:

David Zaslav said this week that he doesn't need the NBA, and it now appears likely the NBA's partnership with TNT, which dates back to 1989, will end.

If Fox gets the NBA, which will be a very hefty purchase, they might not want to keep NASCAR if they have NBA, MLB and spring football. NBC could pursue NBA rights too.

TNT could pursue NASCAR to fill the void left by the NBA, but IDK. They have NHL and AEW, and Zaslav seems to be more focused on extreme cost-cutting measures.

There are rumors that Comcast (NBC's parent company) could end up buying WB from Discovery in 2024, which would be a huge antitrust issue but the FCC doesn't give a **** anymore. If this happens, NBC and TNT could possibly be broadcast partners again.

It's gonna be interesting to see how all this plays out.



I still think it's Fox and ESPN on the linear TV side, and two streaming packages, with Amazon, Apple, Netflix, or Peacock in the mix.
 
DewChaser988 said:
CBS would open a new demographic up, NASCAR has an aging fanbase, right? Well thanks to corporate synergy, there is one option, remember the NFL Wild Card Game on Nickelodeon?

Well that, but a NASCAR version
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Turner Sports is a better bet here. Their parent company, WB DISCOVERY, has loads of kids and family-friendly properties. But, again, chopping block. And family content is front and center on the said chopping block.

It's kind of weird, people bought streaming media because they wanted to watch original scripted programming without commercial interruption instead of reality TV shows, or didn't want to pay $120/month for live sports. And now reality TV and live sports (all ad supported) are all the rage and scripted dramas, syndicated programs and movies are out.

Streaming media has become the very thing people dropped cable for.
 
AuzGrams said:
I’ve never heard a complaint about a race being on Peacock
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Make it the only way to watch a race and waiting for the complaining.

Dirt racing has found its way on streaming platforms and there isn't a lot of complaining from fans about it. The difference is they've never had their races on live national TV, so it's not like something was taken from them and moved to streaming.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
WB = Warner Bros, which encompasses WB movies, WB animation, HBO Max, HBO, TNT, TBS, TruTV, The CW (in part), CNN, TCM, DC Comics, the Harry Potter franchise, and more.

They were bought by Discovery and the merger took place this year, and it's been a disaster under David Zaslav. They canceled several projects, closed down several studios, canceled the release of a heavily-anticipated movie that was already completed, canceled every scripted drama series on TNT, upended CNN, gutted WB Animation in a way that Cartoon Network's future is unknown, have hinted at pulling the plug on TCM, and are gutting HBO Max (arguably the best streaming service) and merging it with Discovery+ with WB Discovery's focus moving forward being on "unscripted dramas" (Reality TV).

How all this pertains to NASCAR:

David Zaslav said this week that he doesn't need the NBA, and it now appears likely the NBA's partnership with TNT, which dates back to 1989, will end.

If Fox gets the NBA, which will be a very hefty purchase, they might not want to keep NASCAR if they have NBA, MLB and spring football. NBC could pursue NBA rights too.

TNT could pursue NASCAR to fill the void left by the NBA, but IDK. They have NHL and AEW, and Zaslav seems to be more focused on extreme cost-cutting measures.

There are rumors that Comcast (NBC's parent company) could end up buying WB from Discovery in 2024, which would be a huge antitrust issue but the FCC doesn't give a **** anymore. If this happens, NBC and TNT could possibly be broadcast partners again.

It's gonna be interesting to see how all this plays out.



I still think it's Fox and ESPN on the linear TV side, and two streaming packages, with Amazon, Apple, Netflix, or Peacock in the mix.
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I think Zaslav is negotiating in public over the NBA, mostly since the NBA wants a massive three-fold increase in TV revenue. They just gave Charles Barkley a massive new 10-year deal worth well over $100M reportedly, I don’t think they are getting away from the NBA entirely. They may want to get the NBA Finals on rotation as they did with the Stanley Cup.

That said, WBD is definitely an absolute mess right now.
 
MRM said:
Make it the only way to watch a race and waiting for the complaining.

Dirt racing has found its way on streaming platforms and there isn't a lot of complaining from fans about it. The difference is they've never had their races on live national TV, so it's not like something was taken from them and moved to streaming.
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NFL fans aren't complaining about Amazon Prime or NFL+. So far, the only game that's been on streaming that people complained about was the Broncos/Jaguars game on ESPN+. And that's only because it wasn't included on NFL+ like the Prime games are.

Only reason MLB fans complain about Apple TV is because the coverage sucks. The biggest complaint with streaming in MLB is the fact that you can't stream "home" teams on ESPN+ or MLB.TV.

NHL has a package with ESPN+ and, as far as I can tell, there haven't been any complaints about it.

The people who are complaining about races moving to streaming are the same ones who complained when the races aren't on Fox or NBC and think every race should be on ABC or CBS like it used to be back in the 19-nevers.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
NFL fans aren't complaining about Amazon Prime or NFL+. So far, the only game that's been on streaming that people complained about was the Broncos/Jaguars game on ESPN+. And that's only because it wasn't included on NFL+ like the Prime games are.

Only reason MLB fans complain about Apple TV is because the coverage sucks. The biggest complaint with streaming in MLB is the fact that you can't stream "home" teams on ESPN+ or MLB.TV.

NHL has a package with ESPN+ and, as far as I can tell, there haven't been any complaints about it.

The people who are complaining about races moving to streaming are the same ones who complained when the races aren't on Fox or NBC and think every race should be on ABC or CBS like it used to be back in the 19-nevers.
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No offense Andy because you aren’t dumb but you overestimate how many people among the NASCAR fanbase still probably watch racing on network TV & cable.

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AuzGrams said:
No offense Andy because you aren’t dumb but you overestimate how many people among the NASCAR fanbase still probably watch racing on network TV & cable.
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People watching on cable will watch on streaming too. This hasn't been a problem for literally every other sport. They could move the Super Bowl to TNT or ESPN and it would still get close to 100 million viewers.

And, quite frankly, I'm done caring about the feelings of people who only watch TV with a pair of rabbit ears. NASCAR races have always been on cable since its inception. During the Earnhardt years, they were on ESPN and TNN mostly. Even during the original Fox/NBC contract, races were on FX and TNT. During the 2007-2014 contract, races were on TNT and ESPN.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
People watching on cable will watch on streaming too. This hasn't been a problem for literally every other sport. They could move the Super Bowl to TNT or ESPN and it would still get close to 100 million viewers.

And, quite frankly, I'm done caring about the feelings of people who only watch TV with a pair of rabbit ears. NASCAR races have always been on cable since its inception. During the Earnhardt years, they were on ESPN and TNN mostly. Even during the original Fox/NBC contract, races were on FX and TNT. During the 2007-2014 contract, races were on TNT and ESPN.
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What’s qualifies as streaming here. We talking ESPN+, Peacock, Paramount, Fox Sports Go, Netflix, Amazon Prime then yeah?

All exclusive, no TV channel associated….?
 
AuzGrams said:
What’s qualifies as streaming here. We talking ESPN+, Peacock, Paramount, Fox Sports Go, Netflix, Amazon Prime then yeah?
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ESPN+, Peacock, Apple TV, Prime, Netflix, HBO Max.

AuzGrams said:
All exclusive, no TV channel associated….?
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It's the future. Actually, it's not even the future, it's the present, here, now.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
People watching on cable will watch on streaming too. This hasn't been a problem for literally every other sport. They could move the Super Bowl to TNT or ESPN and it would still get close to 100 million viewers.

And, quite frankly, I'm done caring about the feelings of people who only watch TV with a pair of rabbit ears. NASCAR races have always been on cable since its inception. During the Earnhardt years, they were on ESPN and TNN mostly. Even during the original Fox/NBC contract, races were on FX and TNT. During the 2007-2014 contract, races were on TNT and ESPN.
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Okay, I can get behind this paragraph.
 
AuzGrams said:
Why’s that lol. Struggle is real in many areas for fans.
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If fans can’t afford $65/mo for FS1 and USA, or $10/mo for some streaming service, they’re not able to afford anything NASCAR marketing partners are selling.

And honestly, it makes the fanbase look like trailer trash when these “fans” go on Twitter to complain about races not being available OTA. What sponsor would want to come in and throw money into this sport to sell a product if the fans are always crying poverty?

The Carolinas and Virginia don’t have a problem watching the ACC Tournament on cable. But NASCAR is supposed to be on CBS right before 60 Minutes or it’ll die.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
If fans can’t afford $65/mo for FS1 and USA, or $10/mo for some streaming service, they’re not able to afford anything NASCAR marketing partners are selling.

And honestly, it makes the fanbase look like trailer trash when these “fans” go on Twitter to complain about races not being available OTA. What sponsor would want to come in and throw money into this sport to sell a product if the fans are always crying poverty?

The Carolinas and Virginia don’t have a problem watching the ACC Tournament on cable. But NASCAR is supposed to be on CBS right before 60 Minutes or it’ll die.
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I am trailer trash right now buddy. Everything is astronomical. Network TV & cable TV channels are still king in all sports.

And FYI North Carolina should be on more channels besides the ACC Network which I do get lol.
 
AuzGrams said:
I am trailer trash right now buddy. Everything is astronomical. Network TV & cable TV channels are still king in all sports.

And FYI North Carolina should be on more channels besides the ACC Network which I do get lol.
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YouTube TV is $65/mo.

I do like the route the NFL went with NFL+ which streams all local and nationally televised games live for like $6/month. Including Prime and MNF. Only the Broncos/Jags London Toilet Bowl wasn’t on there. Which I get ESPN+ for free anyway.

NASCAR should definitely consider something like this. But I doubt Fox, which is waaaaayyyyyyy behind in the steaming world anyway, and ESPN would go for it.

In the early years of the Fox/TNT/ESPN deal, every race that was on cable was also on NASCAR.com for free. All the TNT and ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNCL broadcasts were on there.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
YouTube TV is $65/mo.

I do like the route the NFL went with NFL+ which streams all local and nationally televised games live for like $6/month. Including Prime and MNF. Only the Broncos/Jags London Toilet Bowl wasn’t on there. Which I get ESPN+ for free anyway.

NASCAR should definitely consider something like this. But I doubt Fox, which is waaaaayyyyyyy behind in the steaming world anyway, and ESPN would go for it.

In the early years of the Fox/TNT/ESPN deal, every race that was on cable was also on NASCAR.com for free. All the TNT and ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNCL broadcasts were on there.
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YouTube TV isn’t a “streaming channel” unless I’m missing something here. It carries channels on a streaming platform.

My point is I’m not a fan of standalone streaming platforms like Amazon Prime. Rather use eBay for a lot of stuff so no need for Amazon sometimes.
 
I couldn't care less what network or streaming app or whatever ends up broadcasting the races. I watch so much TV that I am already subscribed to pretty much everything. I'm way more concerned about how they go about the broadcasts, specifically the announcers they choose and the quality of their productions.
 
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