IRL “Side-By-Side” commercials leave NASCAR fans screaming
Quote selected text Published March 30th, 2008 in NASCAR News
The email began to arrive once the IRL action got underway from the Homestead, FL track. It was not about the good pictures from ESPN or the good action from a series trying to survive.
What NASCAR fans had seen, apparently many for the first time, was the TV commercial breaks in the live IRL coverage. They had experienced the “missing link” in the TV coverage of NASCAR. They had seen ESPN’s “side-by-side” commercial breaks.
The network runs the commercials in a big box on the right side of the screen. At the same time, they keep the live coverage of the race in another smaller video box on the left side. They also include a top three scoring graphic that immediately changes if there is a pass on the track. Simply put, it is fantastic.
The question of why NASCAR cannot do this has been addressed by everyone from NASCAR to the TV networks. From what I understand, it all hinges on the coverage of the Sprint Cup Series.
Unlike the IRL, NASCAR’s top series is split between three TV networks during the season. Fox, TNT and the ESPN/ABC combined media company comprise the coverage of the February through November season.
As you might expect, these three networks are not friends in the corporate sense of the word. Though they must combine at the tracks in terms of facilities and manpower, their sales and programming departments operate to serve only their own companies.
To arrange for side-by-side coverage, three networks would have to meet and work through a wide variety of issues. Each of these companies has paid NASCAR a lot of money for the rights to the races they televise. The single driving reason for full-screen national ads is to get as much revenue from each commercial as possible.
Writers from Marty Smith to yours truly have addressed this issue. We believed that with the new TV contract, ESPN would lead the way in advocating this change. While network executives expressed an interest, they simply could not convince the many NASCAR advertisers to participate. So, here we are.
This NASCAR reality hit home for many people who ran across the primetime showing of the Homestead IRL race. At the height of the excitement, in front of what appeared to be a full house, ESPN announcer Marty Reid made the point over-and-over again to assure TV viewers that they would not miss anything as the network went to commercial.
More at Daly Planet
- Goodyear tire preview for Kansas
- Stewart doesn’t like track changes at Las Vegas
- Goodyear Michigan preview
- Riggs joins list of ‘Car of Tomorrow’ critics
- Goodyear tire notes for Atlanta
Wow, Didn’t think this Side-By-Side thing would creep up again since, Since ESPN has been using it NASCAR has said they will not use it.
Plus you don’t really miss as much during commercial as you think. I mean it’s either riding around under caution, or they follow the leader (who at most tracks is just riding around way ahead of 2nd place) And if something happens they show it in a replay when they come back from the commercial.
Also just to add onto what “Fisha695″ said, if there is a big reck in Nascar they cut off the commercial and show the end of the reck live. then show replays of it before going back to a break.
with side by side in the IRL if a crash happens they cut off the ad and show it in full screen.
The “side by side” racing during commercial breaks doesnt really bother me.. I would just prefer during some of the broadcasts that they get back to the action before the green flag waves again after some wreacks. However, I believe ESPN used this “side by side” idea during a Busch race last year and i didn’t hate nor like it, so no effect on me.
I have read somewhere that one of the open wheel organizations pay ESPN to broadcast their races…meaning ESPN can do whatever they want since they don’t have to rely on commercials for money. However I think if NASCAR or whoever cannot decide on Side-By-Side, at least just have some kind of ticker letting us know where our driver is and/or wrecks and lead changes.
I agree it’s no big deal. Most fans leave the room during commercials
anyways even if it was “side by side”.
If you want live coverage during commercials, order Nascar
Hotpass and watch the little box in the corner lol
if you all would like you can get direct tvs track pass and switch to that when its commercial and not miss a beat. its worth it if your a die hard fan!!!!
For some strange reason it works very well on Indy car races to the point it is almost a must see thing but is not such a big deal on NASCAR. Besides NASCAR is far to stingy to give up any of its precious commercial time that makes it so FAT… Sometimes I feel like Im watching a old, old rerun with all the commercials that play.
If I remember correctly IRL actually pays the network to televise their races… anyone know of this?
The only reason I watch NASCAR is for the commercials.
MORE COMMERCIALS AND LESS RACING!!!
Signed, Brian France
Only a joke, not a good one but still….
Eric wrote:
I know Champ Car did, and the IRL paid for ESPN to broadcast the races that were put on ABC, but I’m not sure about the regular races that are on ESPN/ESPN2
Tony S………I liked your comment,but it is the truth.
my son watches the first 10 laps at starting time. then he watches a hbo or starz movie. then he comes back and watches the last 15 laps. he likes it and doesn’t care about the comericals one bit. of couse he doesn’t see any on paid hbo, or cinimax.
Argument for side-by-side commercials:
If the commercial is full-screen, you are a lot more likely to get up and go get a beer, snack, etc, etc or check the weather on another channel or something… whereas side-by-side commercials keep the viewer on the couch with the eyes firmly affixed on the television.
Way too many commercials in NASCAR now. Itreally has turned me off to NASCAR lately. Not only the ads but the announcers have to say crap like Claertian clear to go for the green or something at every change in the race, I really think it is too much. Enough Is Enough.
If it wasn’t for all the commercials you’d have to either pay $50-60 to watch the race on PPV, or Pay the outrageous ticket prices plus the other expenses to see the race in person, or wait till Monday and read the recap in the sports section of your paper.
I’d Happy with the adds as long as the only cost to watch the race is the amount of electricity it costs and the $30 a month my cable bill is.
Fisha — wow where do you live to get
cable for $30 a month??? Try $50 a month
to insure getting Speed Channel and other
sports channels.
Anyhow — split screen commercials would
make my racing watching much better. I
hate it when they break for commercials
during a caution and then come back
after the race has started again. I
want to see it all!!!!
This is the 3rd season they are doing this!
cry cry if you cant hang w commercials get a vcr or dvd recorder and skip em enough said god