ABC Locks Up Indy 500 Through 2012
Indy Racing League reaches agreements with ABC, Versus.
By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/7/2008 8:53:00 AM
The Indy Racing League locked up deals with ABC and Versus that will keep its flagship race, the Indianapolis 500, on the broadcast network through 2012 and will bring IndyCar racing to the cable network for the first time.
ABC will broadcast its 45th Indianapolis 500 in 2009. As part of the agreement, it will also cover four additional IndyCar races annually.
Versus will televise at least 13 races each year for the next 10 years as part of its agreement with the IRL, with each telecast running a minimum of three hours, along with extended prerace coverage. Versus will also cover the qualification days leading up to the Indianapolis 500, as well as at least 10 hours of ancillary coverage.
“We couldn’t be happier moving forward with our media rights with longtime partner ABC and now welcoming Versus to the IndyCar Series family,” said Tony George, founder and CEO of IRL, in a statement. “Looking forward to 2009 and beyond, we have the opportunity to team up with our media partners and really capitalize on unification and the three-year Indianapolis Motor Speedway Centennial Celebration” coverage.
Indy 500 on ABC Through 2012
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