FOX Sports and NASCAR extend their partnership until 2022

Despite the fact that the ratings have decreased over the past year, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and FOX Sports Media Group have extended their broadcasting agreement. With two years remaining on the current contract, the two parties met and added an additional eight years.

Part of the new package includes the digital rights as the two parties realize the importance of live race streaming. This follows on the heels of the FOX –owned SPEED Channel losing the rights to air the Formula One races to NBC.

Apparently the loss of Formula One did not cause FOX to be concerned. Yet there really is no other place for NASCAR to go unless they start up their own broadcasting network – that was a rumor a few years back. Still they would have to compete with the ESPN network channels that cover the popular non motorsports events and have firm contracts for college football, professional sports events like hockey, football, basketball, and baseball.

Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO said, “NASCAR has been in very good hands and has enjoyed tremendous success the last 12 years in large part because of our fantastic partnership with Fox and Fox Sports Media Group.”

Now with the “TVEverywhere” set for 2013, fans can catch the races even if not at home or at the track. Heck they could watch the replays from the stands.

They will finish off the current contract as it stands for the next two years. In 2015, the new agreement comes into place. Few changes appear to have been made. FOX will still have the television rights to 13 consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events; of course that does not include the non-points special events under the “consecutive”. However the Shootout and the two Duel events at Daytona will belong to FOX as well the All-Star event.

Apparently the two parties believe that the ratings for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will remain the same or at least climb. FOX will continue to provide full race coverage.

In a shared statement from FOX Sports Media Group, the co-presidents and CEOs’ Eric Shanks and Randy Freer said, “NASCAR has been a staple at FOX for more than a decade and we consider it one of the signature sports we cover. With our commitment renewed, we look forward to presenting NASCAR thoroughly, professionally and creatively for many years to come.”