Indycar finally got some positive news yesterday with the announcement of the new television partnership with Fox. Overall, this is the best television package I have ever seen for Indycar There are many good things in this package, and at the same time some concerns remain, and not small ones either. While there are many good things in this package, and at the same time some concerns remain, and not small ones either.

Having every race on a main broadcast channel is a dream come true. There will be no more hunting for USA, Peacock, or (shudder) CNBC again. Viewers will know where to find the Indycar series. This part is something I did not expect.

Indy NXT now has a semi-permanent home on FS1 with an occasional appearance on FS2. Getting off streaming exclusively and getting over the air exposure can only help the drivers and teams in that series. Maybe even the Indycar owners will start noticing and not run to F2 so quickly.

My understanding is that Fox is paying a huge sum of money for this deal. Rights fees have always been an issue with Indycar media deals.

Doubts Still Linger

Still, despite the best news the series has had since that spectacular Indianapolis 500, there are still questions.

Who will be the announcers? Fox has a whole tends to seek mediocre talent as their top lev el. If you have ever watched a World Sereies game or a Big East basketball game, you know what I’m talking about. I hope they hire as much of the NBC crew as is available.

Production Values

I don’t like the way sports events are presented on Fox. They seem to spend too much time trying not showing the game in progress so they can interview someone who is supposed to be focusing on the game. Talking to managers during baseball games, pulling coaches from time out huddles, or a flashback to when two opponents met 15 years ago when they each played for different teams all detract from the game going on right now.

I haven’t watched a NASCAR race on Fox, but I have heard some comments that give me pause.

Television Windows– Flexibility Required

Each race has been allotted a two and a half hour window, except for the 500 which has a five hour window. That might work for some sports, but racing needs some more flexibility. If we have a situation next year such as we had at the 500 this year, does the 500 end up on FS2? Will they stay with a race that runs long?

Is five hours really long enough for a three hour race/ It sounds as if the pre race will be rushed, and the post race could possiblybe cut off mid ceremony.

I agree Indycar took the best package and got virtually everything they wanted. I’m excited to see what it looks like. The ball is in Fox’s court to produce.