In the first of what will likely turn out to be a torrent of major news from the NHRA over the coming weeks, it is being widely reported that the company has decided to terminate their agreement with ESPN a year early and shift their television broadcasts to the Fox Sports 1 network. The reports coming from places like NBCSports and other newspapers indicate that the agreement in principle has been made and while no contract is known to have been signed YET, an official announcement may be given by the end of the week from either the NHRA or Fox Sports 1. According to the reports we have read, the move was made due to the fact that ESPN was not willing to show more of the races live and show them in favorable time slots. We’re guessing on that statement that Fox Sports 1 was able to move more in the direction of airing the races live, which seems like progress to us.
Perhaps the most interesting thing of all? With NHRA ditching out, ESPN has NO, Zero, nada, none, nein, zippo, regular motorsports coverage anymore. The Indy guys are gone, NASCAR is gone, the days of demolition derbies on ESPN2 are over, and now the NHRA has cut bait. The “worldwide leader” in (everything but motor) sports seems to have a large programming hole that they either gave up willingly or felt like had no value.
The next thing that comes are questions relating to the on-air talent that currently populates the show. Will those guys get moved over? Will ESPN let them out of their contracts? How will that work? Does Fox have people that they want to use? All of these are questions and then there is the biggest question. Who is going to actually make the shows? Remember, NHRA announced that they were moving their production “in-house” for 2016. ESPN regional television is currently the team that makes the broadcasts happen, will Fox assume that role or will NHRA have the shows made by people of their choosing and broadcast them via Fox? We’re hoping when the announcement is made some more information comes to light.
At the end of the day we think that this is a pretty fascinating and (we hope) positive move. New eyes, new ideas, new approach, and newfound respect on the air waves seem to be in the future. If the live broadcast numbers we are hearing stand to be correct, more than half the schedule will be viewed live on Fox Sports 1 in 2016. Stay tuned…literally.
READ JERRY BONKOWSKI’S REPORT FROM NBCSPORTS.COM
And meanwhile Rupert Murdoch is in his Scrooge McDuck vault giggling uncontrollably.
Several people I know don’t have FS1 included in their basic TV package. It seems almost everybody has ESPN2 now. Wonder if the better time slots will offset the possibly smaller viewing audience?
I know I don’t have it on my basic plan because these are the rotten S.O.B.s that have Champion’s League. So long NHRA, looks like the only drag racing I’ll be watching is the stuff online.
The live coverage sucks IMHO………..my girlfriend has been watching since 2011 and she thinks the live coverage sucks also, along with the 4 wide race…………hopefully Dunn will stay………..
Local newspaper said it is unlikely Mike Dunn and Dave Reiff will be the announcers. That sucks!
It seems as though I won’t be able to watch any of my favorite sports – NASCAR and NHRA – because we don’t get FS1 which seems to be the new favorite for motor racing. I agree that the time slots on ESPN2 are not great but at least I can watch the race! NASCAR moved to FS1 and also NBCSN which I don’t get either. How maddening!
Whoever carries the races on TV is irrelevant as NHRA has only 3 pro nitro teams. The 16 car pro eliminations usually have 4 tomato cans as field fillers.
Worse, the endless round 1 oil downs have killed the shows and most fans are homeward bound after round 2.
Coverage for their other dwindling divisions is non existent.
Sponsors are leaving in droves and the tracks have lots of empty seats.
NHRA has totally bungled their franchise.
I couldn’t agree more!
They should start including ODR, SSO, 10.5 Outlaw as classes of they want to save face. Even if its only 1/8 mile, just fine with me.
FOX ruined NASCAR and killed SPEEDVISION. Let’s watch them kill NHRA also. I hate FOX!
I have to agree – You don’t make good business by running people (sponsors) off and especially by pissing the general public smooth off ! I was a diehard NHRA fan for many years – the NHRA and Cable or Satellite providers will have to jump thru hoops to get me back a 2nd time. Making drag racing available to the “general” public (that is, free OTA TV and other venues) would be a big help – the current economy can’t afford what we did before it tanked back in 2009.