Will the IRL dump Versus next year, so that everyone can watch a race?

I know this sounds harsh...but just get yourself Comcast Cable. They OWN Versus and I doubt they'd drop their own channel. :)

When the IRL did their deal last year with Versus, it was a 10 year deal. I don't know what it would cost the IRL to get out of a TV deal which reportedly still will annually pay $4 million for the next 9 seasons. Unfortunately, it would seem to be too big a chunk of change to pull it off right now. The best possibility of the IRL getting away from Versus might be a cancellation of the contract by Versus. As the press release from last year says, Versus was promised 13 races per year. Both 2009 and 2010 will only give them 12 with the unsigned race at Brazil's Mystery Motorsports Park probably being one of those. How many races could Versus lose from the promised "at least 13" before they would either want a renegotiation or would consider canceling the contract altogether?

In short, the IRL is on Versus thorugh 2018 and ABC (with the Indy 500) through 2012. Of course, one must also assume that both Versus and the IRL will last through 2018. If Versus were to start losing ad buyers or content partners that want DirecTV exposure, they might not last another 9 years. Also, if the IRL eventually mandates a new chassis/engine combination that a majority of the grid cannot afford to purchase, they could be in deep trouble as well.

BTW, for full disclosure, I've had DirecTV since March 2000. Due to needing a box upgrade/replacement in January, switching to another provider in time to see the Motegi race would have cost me a cancellation fee of $300. I find it laughable that, up until 12/31/08, DirecTV was a great presenting sponsor for the IndyCar Series. Now, they are supposed to be the enemy that IRL fans should run away from. It's not my fault that the IRL peed in their own bed and it sure as heck isn't my responsibility to clean it up for them either.

When Versus (actually Radio Birdman) told us this season that "It's Gonna Be a New Race", they weren't kidding. I found out over the past two months that the world will not end without Indy Car racing in my life and I can find other enjoyable ways to spend time with (and possibly money on) my family. The IRL gambled by letting ABC out of their full contract a season early and lost me, a loyal fan of Indy Car racing for over 30 years, in the process.

The IRL is stuck, and I just hope that the series can survive until 2012. Comcast has millions of dissatisfied former customers out there, and DirecTV just keeps growing. Charging a huge amount of money for a very low-rated network is not a good business plan.

Nope. I think the IRL has a contract with Versus through 2011 at least. Hopefully DirecTV will work on getting Versus because you're right, ratings would be much higher if Versus was available to everyone.

I think Versus has a Direct TV deal through 2011, Yes I loved the Versus Coverage and having Bob Jenkins call the race. I hope Versus and Direct TV can work something out, as lots of hard core sports fans have Direct TV.

Go Team Penske

It depends on the contract, their other options, and most of all -- sponsors and advertisers. It reminds me of the old joke "What do race cars run on?..... Money." Viewers attract sponsors and advertisers, and if Versus can't deliver the viewers, they won't be long for the world. The real question is "what other options does IRL have?" At least for the races not already on network TV.

I hope so. I changed satellite companies just to get Versus. Now that Direct is having a row with the channel, I'm thinking of going back to Cox even though it will cost more.

they would have to have another network pick them up..

its to bad because the race at Chicagoland was great with the top 12 finishing with in 1 second and again a real close race for the winner

many don't have Dish and it really made allot with Directv real mad that they did that at the end of the season

No dish, direct or cable here......INDY needs to put all the races back on BROADCAST OVER THE AIR TV for me and most of my neighbors to watch !