Speedvision (Not Much Audi Content)

[Motor Sport Visions Photography]

In a message dated 12/4/2001 Jan Lahtonen writes:

<< I don't think many people would care if they substituted NASCAR for
"motor
millions" or some of the other info mertials.  I did become concerned
last
night while watching the F 1 in review program, when they announced they
(SV)
have not been able to secure the broadcast rights to F 1 in 2002.  I
know its
happened before and is usually resolved at the 11th hour.  Maybe SV is
hedging their bets in case Bernie won't let them play in his sandbox. >>

I try not to worry too much about Fox's changes to "Speed Channel" since
the network is one of the fastest growing cable networks in history
supposedly. The NASCAR filler shows will almost certainly replace
infomercial type programming mostly. I also wonder who retains ownership
of the old name, and if it could be resurected down the road (Don
Panoz...are you listening?).

Anyway, the US F1 TV rights are a bit unsettled because I believe Bernie
gave control of this to "the inheritor" (Tony George). Being aligned
with ABC/ESPN they have the inside track and it was looking like they
would likely get the US broadcast rights. (The begining of this was the
2001 USGP on ABC live, tape delayed a week on Speedvision.) However,
ratings for the live ABC broadcast of the USGP were terrible. Because of
this, I imagine ABC is having second thoughts about shelling out the
bucks, and Speedvision (er, Speed Channel) wants the rights and has
Fox-Bux behind them now to get them secured. I hope it can be done.

Mandatory Audi Content: Speed Channel will air several ALMS events and
Speedvision World Challenge events next year...where once again we hope
to see Audi domination of course. Then again, I heard the LMP675 class
MG/Lola just took half a second off Kristensen's pole time at Sebring in
testing yesterday...hmmm, that thing is getting very fast and runs
longer fuel stints. MG could do well next year at the big one in France.

Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com