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IndyCar: Series turns to ESPN for international coverage (Update)

Posted by AR1 staff

AutoRacing1.com has preached for years that IndyCar lost a valuable partner in ABC/ESPN when it came to international TV distribution when it signed with NBC.

The series finally saw the light. Now let’s see if they can report total global viewers for each event and how that compares to F1.

IndyCar Press Release

The stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will be available to international audiences in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe during the 17-race 2022 season. An impressive roster of partners is set to broadcast and stream North America’s premier open-wheel racing series to audiences in Europe, Latin America, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

“The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is a truly global product with athletes hailing from 14 nations and partnerships extending across major countries and continents,” said Mark Miles, president & CEO of Penske Entertainment Corp. “We’ve prioritized relationships that expand both our reach and visibility, bringing our racing action to new audiences and expanding our fan base. We’re pleased to welcome back more than two-thirds of our 2021 partners while adding exciting new ones to our growing lineup, as well.”

Many key partnerships have been announced, renewed or expanded heading into the new season, including:

  • A new relationship with ESPN across Latin America will bring live coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to key markets including Mexico and Brazil, where audiences are set to cheer for Arrow McLaren SP driver Pato O’Ward and defending Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Helio Castroneves.
  • Sky Group, which has provided coverage on Sky Sports UK since 2019, has expanded its commitment to the series with the addition of Sky Sport Germany (including Austria and Switzerland) and Sky Italia.
  • STAN Sport will be the new streaming partner in Australia, showing every race live and advertisement-free. STAN’s sister broadcaster Nine Network also will show race highlights mid-week.
  • Canal+ will bring the action to French audiences eager to track the progress of Andretti Autosport’s Romain Grosjean and Meyer Shank Racing’s Simon Pagenaud. Canal+ also will provide coverage in Switzerland and sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Movistar+ will return for a sixth consecutive season as INDYCAR’s exclusive partner in Spain as Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou readies to defend his NTT INDYCAR SERIES crown.
  • Gaora will continue to broadcast all races in Japan as Japanese racing hero Takuma Sato begins his maiden season for Dale Coyne Racing.
  • Ziggo Sport will make an expanded commitment as INDYCAR’s partner in the Netherlands, where fans eagerly anticipate Rinus VeeKay’s third season as a driver for Ed Carpenter Racing.
  • Viaplay and V Sport continue with robust coverage of INDYCAR in the Nordics and enthusiastic support for Swedes Marcus Ericsson and Felix Rosenqvist and Danish newcomer Christian Lundgaard. Viaplay will also expand its rights portfolio to include Poland, Iceland and the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
  • Sportsnet in Canada, Sky Sports in New Zealand, Supersport in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, Network 4 in Hungary, Arena Sport in the Balkans, Viasat Sport East in Russia & CIS, Sport TV in Portugal and VOO Sport in Belgium are all in the roll call of INDYCAR broadcasters for the 2022 season.

The 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, Feb. 27. A full list of international broadcast partners is available here.

January 8, 2022 

AutoRacing1.com has preached for years that IndyCar lost a valuable partner in ABC/ESPN when it came to international TV distribution when it signed with NBC.

The series finally saw the light.

Per this press release, ESPN channels and Star+ have secured the rights to broadcast the NTT INDYCAR SERIES from 2022. The motorsport category will have all of its races broadcast live on pay TV channels and on the streaming platform, as well as training sessions and qualifiers for the entire Brazilian market.

The acquisition of NTT INDYCAR SERIES broadcasting rights by the Disney Group is valid for three years – for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons. The agreement is for all Latin America and Brazil.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is one of the biggest and most famous categories in world motorsport and became known throughout the country because of the achievements and contributions of Brazilians: Emerson Fittipaldi, Gil de Ferran, Cristiano da Matta, Hélio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan.

Hélio Castroneves, one of the great drivers in the history of the sport and current champion of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge – proof that he is one of the icons of world motorsport -, has a guaranteed presence throughout the 2022 season. Shank Racing.

With the acquisition of NTT INDYCAR SERIES, ESPN and Star+ are further strengthened with motor events, which are passions of Brazilians. In addition to the category, the platforms also display the Motorcycle World Championship, Rally World Championship, Endurance World Championship, Extreme E, IMSA Weathertech and the famous LeMans 24h race.