NASCAR: Potential TV disaster avoided with new deal
By Asher Fair
Fox and DIRECTV announced a multi-year distribution agreement over the weekend, meaning a potential disaster was avoided for many NASCAR fans.
On Saturday, Fox Corporation and DIRECTV announced a renewal of Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Big Ten Network, Fox Deportes, Fox Soccer Plus, and retransmission consent for each of the local Fox Television Stations across DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and U-verse.
The local Fox owned-and-operated TV stations include broadcast duopolies and single Fox stations in most of the major cities across the United States.
The renewal was reported to be a multi-year renewal, though the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Regardless, the announcement is great news for NASCAR fans who are customers of DIRECTV.
Fox covers the first portion of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule (first 16 of 36 races, in addition to the preseason Clash and the All-Star Race) and the NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule (first 14 of 33 races) before NBC takes over for the remainder of the year, and they cover the entire NASCAR Truck Series schedule (all 23 races). Fox has aired NASCAR races since 2001.
Fox is set to broadcast the 2023 Busch Light Clash live from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 5. The 2023 season is officially scheduled to get underway on Sunday, February 19 with the 65th annual Daytona 500, which is set to be broadcast live on Fox from Daytona International Speedway beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Daytona International Speedway is also scheduled to host the 2023 Truck Series and Xfinity Series season openers. The former, the NextEra Energy 250, is set to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, February 17. The latter, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300, is set to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 18.
Next. JGR still have a big decision to make. dark
The Truck Series season is scheduled to run through Friday, November 3. Fox’s coverage of the Cup Series is scheduled to run through the race at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, June 11. Their coverage of the Xfinity Series is scheduled to run through the race at the same venue on Saturday, June 10.