IndyCar CEO skirts the hard questions on IndyCar TV

Randy Bernard, being politically correct as always, would never admit Versus is a noose around the series neck

In a Racer Magazine Q & A with Randy Bernard on the IndyCar TV situation, the IndyCar CEO skirts the issue when pressed to solve the horrendous TV ratings the series is getting on Versus.

Q: When's the first chance that what are currently Versus races can be seen on NBC? Is it 2012 or 2013?

RB: Well, we start renegotiating our network television deal this month and right now we're in an exclusivity phase with ABC. We're being very respectful to them and we've had some very productive meetings with them.

Q: But ultimately, could ABC's five races end up on NBC, and the remaining 12 switch to the NBC Sports Channel?

RB:I don't ever want to rule out anyone. I think that we owe ABC respect because, number one, they're good people, and number two, we've had a fruitful 46-year history with them and they deserve an opportunity to negotiate with us. But anything is possible at this time.

Q: I guess what I'm driving at is, what is your ideal-world scenario? If you could rip it up and start again, what would be your choice?

RB: Let me put it this way: What's important for the series is looking for who will provide the most exposure for the series and then the best coverage. That's simply essential for the teams' sponsors and for the series' sponsors.

[Editor's Note: Been there, done that, not once but three times. The ONLY way IndyCar TV ratings are going to grow to a substantial number is if NBC televises all the IndyCar races and the NBC Sports Channel (Now Versus) is left to do the ancillary shows like qualifying and series specials.]