 ABC Set to Take Over F1 Coverage in the US Friday August 31st, 2001 The ABC Sports network is on the verge of securing a deal to take over US coverage of the Formula One World Championship starting with next month's USA Grand Prix at the Indianapolis circuit. "It's close, but it's not a done deal," Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George was quoted as saying by USA Today. "I think it's going to happen." The move would mean the coverage will switch from cable channel Speedvision to ABC and its cable sports network affiliate ESPN, something that George believes will boost the audiences. "We're trying to convince them that it's a good package," George added. "We'll give them 34 races, split equally on both networks (ESPN and ESPN2). There are a lot of synergies and cross-promotional opportunities. "Speedvision has done a reasonable job with what they have, but on ABC, more people would watch it by accident than they would (intentionally on Speedvision)." The deal is expected to be reached this weekend, which means ABC would broadcast the USA Grand Prix, the penultimate round of the 2001 season, on September 30.
Published at 17:48:34 GMT
| ||||||
(03-16-2005): 
