Received this in the email this morning, could be interesting (and hopefully save us a £15 NASN sub!)...

GOING GLOBAL In a significant move to continue to expand international television distribution of NASCAR, ESPN International will become the exclusive worldwide syndication agent for NASCAR outside of North America, starting in 2007. ESPN International will handle the worldwide television syndication rights for NASCAR and help identify broadcast partnerships on a country-by-country basis. Through the partnership, NASCAR and ESPN will leverage their combined resources to expand the scope and reach of NASCAR coverage. ESPN International is one of the leading syndicators of sports programming worldwide.

What do you reckon? Nextel Cup on BBC2 ? Eurosport ?

Hmm, note the bit about 'partners'. Setanta/NASN have outbid everyone for the last few years, and whoever gets it in 2007 will have to come up with a shed load of dollars, so I expect it will be on a PPV channel. Eurosport would be the obvious choice on grounds of size and cash backing I guess, but will they have enough space on their schedules between snail bashing and curling to fit it in with all the delays/overruns etc. They did have it on before when the marvellous Martin Haven used to do the UK end from the booth. At least with them you only have to be a part of some Sky package and get other watchable channels, quite unlike Setanta at present. Sadly I fear it will be waaaayyyy above what Motors can afford. (Frederic sits in corner smiling)

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Australian V8 Utes UK scribe.

Of course, it might mean nothing, other than that NASN and Motors will be negotiating with ESPN rather than whoever handles it at present (Turner Sports?).

I'd be happy for it (Cup) to stay with NASN to be honest - you know where you stand, no breaks in coverage, FOX/ABC/NBC commentary team, pretty much 90%+ of races live, etc... And the same goes for Motors with the Busch series, I think it would be difficult to improve on the coverage we get at present.

It will be interesting to see if NASN and/or Motors respond to the announcement, but I'm sure they'll both say they're dedicated to bringing the best of each NASCAR series to our screens...

I guess many will be glad if they can dump the NASN sub especially now it has been hiked up by Setanta for a load of football channels, especially if it goes to one of the channels already part of what people pay for to Sky anyway- but heaven forbid NOT Sky Sports- hush my mouth

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Australian V8 Utes UK scribe.

Hmmmm, lets see, ESPN have a relationship with FOX at all??

Even if not, I can envisionage ESPN selling all the three top series in one bundle to the highest bidder....

NEXTEL on NASN, Trucks and BUSCH on Sky Sports anyone?

*worries*

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Paul...codename_47...whatever!

Note my post in the other thread, i wouldnt be surprised if Five came bouncing onto the scene in the near future!

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Steve Pearce - COME ON JIMMIE #48 D

But NASN do have a long term relationship with ESPN, given the amount of their programming they show. I reckon NASN will be OK. I hope Motors is too. With a bit of luck, we will get to see full race trucks too.

ESPN do not have a relationship with Fox, as Fox, FSN, FX and FSW are the largest direct competitors to the ESPN family of networks.

No commercials, NASN rules. If it ain't broke don't fix it

I agree 100%.But we need some body showing trucks too.Often the best racing.

The one thing that I don't like about ESPN's plans is what is quoted in this week's Nascar Scene magazine about race start times..."We are looking to attract the highest ratings that we can, and obviously later in the day bodes well...."

Now I enjoy the night races but there's an increasing number of races that start late in the afternoon and run into the early evening - this isn't great TV timing for Europe (which I guess ESPN aren't bothered about)

Sorry to drag up an old post but;

http://www.motorstv.com/forum2/viewtopi ... =2933#2933 (particularly the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs!)

Further to this;

"Five, owned by pan-European broadcaster RTL Group, will broadcast popular American sit-coms, films and sport on Five US..."

Source: Reuters

One thing i hadnt realised is that Five is owned by RTL. They have some serious spending power!

Seriously, if this one comes off, im putting money on the lottery!

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Steve Pearce - COME ON JIMMIE #48 D

Err wth, I was wondering if I was going nuts or something. I can receive NASN here in Holland as well (digital receiver), but I've never seen NASCAR on it yet, only football and baseball. Now I just noticed that the TV schedule is different for the UK!

/me prepares and angry email to persuade NASN to change their schedule

Ontopic: I'd love to see it all, if there was truckracing, Busch series and Nextel cup available here, I'd never leave the house during the weekends Of course I'd prefer to see it on MotorsTV then, I really like the way they handle the Busch series, with the original American commentary as well as a studio commentator during the breaks

Five has announced two new channels coming to Terrestrial Freeview and Sky - Five US (dedicated to American TV series such as Joey, CSI, etc..) and Five Life (a women's channel).

Fingers crossed this could open up some space on Five to show more motorsport...


edit:
doh! just realised this is what ste was on about! ops:

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Steve Pearce - COME ON JIMMIE #48 D

I'm quite happy with NASCAR where it is. I just wish they'd give the highlight show a regular spot and stick with it.