Will Miles do what’s right for IndyCar’s next TV deal?

If Miles cannot get a deal to put 80% of the races on ABC and the other 20% on ESPN, it won't bode well for IndyCar's future. It's clear NBC won't agree to putting any of the races on network TV.

The conundrum around IndyCar and its television partners is quite simple: NBCSN's coverage on cable airs the majority of the season and is favored by the hard-core fans, while ABC draws larger numbers because it broadcasts the Indianapolis 500 and it's network television.

Both contracts expire at the end of 2018 and Mark Miles has a couple of options he could pursue: continue with both partners but renegotiate so that NBC is also allowed to show IndyCar races, or simply put everything on one carrier.

"We really aren't negotiating now but anything's possible," said Miles, the president & CEO of Hulman & Company, during an interview with RACER last month. "If I had to say today, the most likely result is one broadcast partner. But I don't know that.

"We are in the stage now where we are talking to everybody, but not negotiating with anybody. We're just trying to understand the market.

Broadcasters' appetites and perspective on the sport with both linear and over-the-top players."

Miles was asked if he preferred just one partner.

"I'd like it, if it comes with a lot of network coverage. More than we've got today," he responded, referring to ABC's five-race package that ends in early June at Detroit. "So our highest priority in these discussions is audience, dollars are next, a close second.

"I think we've got great interest, I think ESPN for ABC, and ESPN, and NBC for NBC Sports Network are all interested, and I think there will be others as well." [Editor's Note: Notice he said NBC "for NBC Sports Network", not "for NBC plus NBC Sports Network." That means Miles is considering putting all races on NBC Sports Network, which will ensure a quick death of IndyCar. It will be over within 2 years as sponsors head for the exit in rapid succession.]

Miles believes the other avenues of growing media are in IndyCar's wheelhouse.

"The fascinating dynamic is the powerful emergence of internet platforms, which are committed to programming sports, including live sports. We know that some are interested in motorsports. At this point we can't simply sit in a room and spell out how all this will be concluded. We've got to be in the market and piece things together in the best possible way.

"Traditional broadcasters are very reluctant to give up exclusivity on all platforms, especially in the United States. But this is a very dynamic situation and the change is coming quickly." Robin Miller/Racer.com