Chinese outlets added to growing list of INDYCAR international broadcasters (Update)

UPDATE Dear AR1.com, Correct me if I am wrong, but broadcasting the Indy 500 live in China at 1:00 AM in the morning when everyone in China is sleeping ahead of work on Monday morning means a few hundred Chinese will watch the race. Once they realize there are no Chinese drivers in the race they will quickly fall asleep and the viewer count will fall to zero. Now if the race was a Saturday night race under the lights and broadcast live in China there is a good chance 100 million Chinese would be turned in, dwarfing the USA TV numbers. Mordichai Rosen, Los Angeles, CA.

05/28/17 Surging global interest in the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and the Verizon IndyCar Series was exemplified by the announcement Thursday in Beijing that INDYCAR has signed three Chinese outlets to broadcast races and otherwise promote the series starting with Sunday's 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil.

"This is huge for INDYCAR and we hope it is viewed the same way by motorsports fans in China," said Stephen Starks, INDYCAR vice president of promoter relations. "It's a big step toward the development of the sport in China, of which we have for a long time wanted to play an important part."

Tencent, China's largest internet platform, will have live telecasts of selected Verizon IndyCar Series races, including the Indianapolis 500 and the season-ending GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma. Tencent will also provide on-demand options plus highlights and features.

High Sport will carry on-demand options of races to be determined, plus highlights and features. Also, Guangdong TV will show highlights and features. The agreements were aided by Mitime Group, a sports organization and subsidiary of Geely, a Chinese auto manufacturer.

Mark Miles, president and CEO of Hulman & Company, the parent of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said the announcement could be a precursor for the Verizon IndyCar Series to race one day in China.

"Someday we hope to race internationally, and possibly in China, which is very important to us," said Miles. "The signing of this partnership is a terrific first step in presenting INDYCAR racing to the Chinese people."

In addition to the new agreement in China, the following countries/regions and networks will air Sunday's Indianapolis 500 either live or on delay:

Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands – ESPN
Austria – Sport 1
Belgium – BeTV
Brazil – BAND
Canada – Sportsnet and TVA Sports
Caribbean – ESPN
Czech Republic – Nova Sport
Finland – Elisa Viihde Sport
France – Canal +
Germany – Sport 1
Greece – Nova Sports
Hungary – Digi Sports
Israel – One Sports
Italy – Sky Sports
Japan – Gaora
Latin America (excluding Brazil) – ESPN
Netherlands – Ziggo Sports
Middle East and North Africa – OSN
Romania – Digi Sports
Portugal – Sport TV
Russia and CIS – Viasat Sport
Serbia & ex-Yugoslavia – Arena Sports
Slovakia – Nova Sport
South Africa – Supersport
Spain – Movistar
Switzerland – Sport 1
Sub-Saharan Africa – Kwese Sports
United Kingdom – BT Sport