TV Deal - 2007

12/8/05… It was no surprise that the NBC network is out of the loop with NASCAR broadcasting. They complained heavily soon after their much ballyhooed contract went into effect. Apparently the NBC execs cut their own throats with the bottom line of the contract. Then they leaned hard on NASCAR getting race times changed toward the prime time target of high dollar advertising. They couldn't bring in enough money from advertisers for Sunday afternoon time slots as compared to evening prime time. This changed the Sunday afternoon tradition of NASCAR racing, to appease a TV network that didn't even want to broadcast the races. I'm happy to see the sorry NBC network gone, and let's hope it's gone for good!

The new deal has FOX starting out the season with SpeedWeeks and the Daytona 500, with the exception of the Gatorade Duels that set the field for the race. The SPEED channel will broadcast the Duels as well as the Pit Crew Challenge and All-Star event in May. FOX will only do the first 13 point's events and then turn the baton over to the TNT network for six consecutive summer events. This change over will take place in early June instead of the usual switchover for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. The ABC/ESPN networks will take over near August, with ABC exclusively broadcasting the Chase for the Cup.

I'm wondering how NBC will treat us fans this coming season. They will be on lame duck status, and I'm sure that we'll be treated to a record number of commercials during the events. Regardless of what kind of contract stipulations they are required to follow and how they proceed to follow them, I have a feeling that we will be happy to see them go when their NASCAR tenure is completed in November of 2006. Here's hoping that some of their lackluster broadcast personalities go with them. I'd like to see some new faces in the booth, I've seen enough of Wally Dallenbach and Allen Bestwick to last me a lifetime!