What's up with the IRL?? Why did they sign with Versus? Are they trying to kill the series?

I am going to slightly modify my response to a similar question about 4+ months ago (since we are now 3 races into the Versus coverage), but bear with me:

I think no matter what I say, I'm not going to get voted popular on my response, but I am going to say this: I'm absolutely thrilled for the IRL switching to Versus for the majority of their races. Let me explain:

When a sport is on a Disney-owned channel (including ABC and the ESPN family), it is one of 40+ sports the network broadcast. Therefore, you are a small fish in a large pond full of small to medium fish. Therefore, in order to get more of your product out, you have to outrank (nee, outpay) other sports to get broadcasts. It's like you're in a large family with 40 kids, and someone asks the parents which child is your favorite, and they have to choose while the others anticipate their name being called. For Disney, they can't choose, because they don't (ie, can't) play favorites.

Enter Versus.

Versus had, in essence, two major sports to its lineup: NHL and the Tour de France. I know there is a lot of other programming the channel broadcasts, but still - NHL is a winter sport, and the TdF is across-seas for live broadcasts, and only for about 30 days (and tape-delay is perfectly acceptable).

The IRL is a perfect fit for Versus to broadcast. Why?

(1) A dedication from the channel to the IRL. The IRL is NOT going to have to wrestle for broadcasting times, and will probably not have to worry about races exceeding time limits (whereas Disney called for mandatory time limits, so they could sneak in the ending).

(2) Expanded coverage of the IRL on the channel. A dedicated show on the day before the race (to cover qualifications). Expanded post-race interviews and discussions. Weekly shows (ie, call-in?). Broadcasts of historic open-wheel races (including those from the CART and USAC days, and old Indy 500). Would ABC/ESPN do that? Not really - they'd cut over to something else (say, women's bowling, international ping pong, or whatever else they might have), just to keep their variety going.

(3) Willing to take chances with technology for the betterment of the fans. Remeber the World League Football, and the in-helmet camera? The World League died, but DANG that in-helmet cam was flat awesome. Versus is on record willing to try new technologies and give the viewers something completely different for IndyCar fans that trumps anything that Fox/NBC/TNT can put out with tintops. And let's be honest - the 3 broadcasts so far have used the EXACT SAME number of cameras as ABC/ESPN, and you'd think they had double the number at each track. That tells me that they've really thought about how they want to broadcast the race, get the good angles, and be in the right place/time for action, whereas last year, it was "meh - just get a few good shots, and we'll move on".

Look - say what you will about T.G.'s efforts to boost IndyCar with the deal from Versus. Put it in perspective: When did NASCAR take off (truly)? When they had a television channel that stated they would be willing to broadcast all races (not already being broadcast by the big stations). That station was TBS/TNT. Not only did NASCAR benefit, but also the stations. This move to Versus is, in my opinion, a similar move. They're ratings have been low so far, but if you compare to last year's ratings, they're fairly similar (to be honest). And, as more people start finding Versus on their channel, they'll realize it is a small, upstart channel that's really putting out good programming too. People *have* started asking for Versus more from their Cable/Dish providers ... that, in and of itself, shows progress.

The IRL has, of course, a buyout plan for Versus, but let's give it a fair chance to be successful! I have seen all three Versus broadcasts for this year's earlier races, and I have been (1) thorough impressed and entertained by their production, and (2) telling both IRL- and non-IRL fans of their quality. The announcers are quite knowledgeable, the pit crews seem to be at the right place every time, there's insight, there's technology, and drivers seem to be a little more candid with their interviews. This isn't just good stuff - it's OUTSTANDING stuff. Give it a fair shake - it is most deserving of such.

I do not have Versus and it is not available in my area on cable. I think that while the move probably had big money for the short time, the lack of coverage will hurt in attracting new fans. I have all the normal sports channels and I have seen absolutely nothing about the Indy 500 this year. Normally the networks trade coverage of significant events in most sports. If not for the 'net I still would not know is on the pole and I do not know the whole lineup. Does Versus have absolute exclusivity or is there a boycott by other news networks against them? I feel that it is a bad long term decision for Indy cars.

I think it could be good and bad for the series. First of all, it's good because VERSUS gives way more coverage than ESPN. Now, races aren't going to be shown late just because some golf tournament ran overtime. VERSUS is much better about giving the fans more coverage and TV time. During the Month of May for example. There has been 6 hours of qualifying every Saturday and Sunday for the past 2 weeks. But, it's a bad thing for the series because not as many people get VERSUS, so I think people are going to be looking at it in different ways.

It was a good move technically. ESPN thought the IRL had zero priority on the network. ESPN would run golf, tennis, nba, mlb, and even lacross over the IRL. When an IRL race went over fans where left with a tune into sportcenter to find out the end of the race results.

The coverage itself is far better than ESPN and there 500 promo's of whats on next. Only problem is not as many people get VS. so alot of people are left not able to watch.

I think that it really all comes down to money. I am thinking that Versus was willing and had the time to shell out more money than the other networks and that's why they have it.

However I do feel that Versus is doing a good job on the coverage of the races and what I have seen of Indy as of late.

The Series shot itself in the foot years ago when it split, Thanks to Tony George, But now that it is combined itself again hopefully things will get better. There is a lot of Talent there and the races are better to watch this year and I am a Happy Camper that they have all come back under one roof so to speak. Look for a change next year as the ratings should get better than they have in recent years and other Networks are sure to bid it up next year.

Good Luck to AGR this year

Versus so far is better, look at all the coverage we have gotten, I;ve never seen ESPN stay on from 9:00am to 3:30 pm with qualifying coverage. The Indy 500 is going to be on ABC. But I like Bob Jenkins, he is a great Indy Car commentator knows his stuff. I think coverage has been better. Most Cable and Sattelite systems offer Versus, its on HD with Cable and Sattelite in my area out here in So Calif. Also they are going to show Carb Day and the Parade they have also.

Go Team Penske.

I have to agree with CraqAttaq, what indy car needs is stability and priority, that is exactly what they get out of Vs. and the way the network is makeing a grab at sports that have a good chance of returning to former glory,

i am quite pleased with Vs coverage i can see why fans that dont have the channel are upset, but its no diffrent than the first few years of speed

It depends if my child were to be a harm to other people after myself. If my child were to to just kill me, no. I value my child's life over my own. While at the same time, I value my child's life over a stranger's life, I could not allow the child to do intentional harm to an innocent, I would have to go against every fiber of my being and stop my child. I am an atheist, I am also a humanist. I value life, my child's life is of the utmost importance to me. But, if my child's intention to kill innocent people, I could not let it happen. Because there are things more important than my feelings.

Versus isn't paying the IRL squat to cover their series. ESPN/ABC did NOT want to televise the IRL any longer because nobody cares about the IRL.

I like versus