NASCAR coverage to be blacked out in Europe?
Quote selected text Published February 3rd, 2007 in NASCAR News
Fears are growing that there will be no live Nextel Cup coverage for fans in Britain and the rest of Europe in 2007 as satellite TV station NASN struggles to reach an agreement with the series. NASN, whose parent company Setanta Sports has been bought by ESPN, has broadcast live or as-live coverage of every Nextel Cup race for the last three years. However their existing NASCAR contract finished at the end of 2006 and with barely a week to go before the 2007 season kicks off with the Budweiser Shootout, fears are growing that fans in Europe will be blacked out.
Even though ESPN have returned as a Nextel Cup broadcaster in the United States in 2007, their coverage isn’t due to begin until the second half of the 2007 season with FOX and TNT covering the first 18 races, including the prized Daytona 500. Thousands and thousands of UK viewers alone have subscribed to the stand-alone NASNA platform over the past three years to watch unprecedented live coverage of the Nextel Cup action, with subscribers even getting to stay with the action as the domestic broadcaster in the U.S. goes to a commercial break.
AutoRacingSport.com will bring you updates on this story as it develops.
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If NASCAR does not reach an agreement or make a deal, it would
be a big mistake. There are no races over there so they better
not break their only ties with Europe. Figure something out.
As a person who depends on NASN to watch NASCAR I seriously hope they
figure something out. Since 2003 when my husband and I got stationed in
the UK that has been the only way for us to watch NASCAR. The only
reason we have NASN is for NASCAR. A lot of American Military as well
as British people would be missing out and that would not make for
happy fans. They really need to figure this all out.
Who cares about NASCAR in Europe? Just give us some live NHRA coverage instead!
The USA should be so lucky!
MAN! I am not sure if that would effect me or not because I watch AFN, and I think they have some type of other deal, but I already have issues of limited TV (I was so spoiled in America!!) But if I lose my NASCAR….that will be it! Thats the ONE thing I look forward to!!! COME ON JUST REACH SOME TYPE OF AGREEMENT! PLEASE!!!
I am shocked that it is this popluar!
And it’s not just Britain. There’s a good number of Irish viewers too. Last year’s NASN coverage MISSED the Daytona 500 completely - inexcusable. I terminated my subscription in disgust and lo and behold, we got coverage back soon afterwards. I will do the same this year (and no, I’m not so naive to think that humble little me affected their coverage.)
NASCAR and their broadcasters have an ever-expanding number of genuine European fans. They should get their collective fingers out.