NBC Sports has secured the rights to the Indianapolis 500 auto race as part of a new, multi-year, multi-platform rights agreement with Indycar.
The deal, which begins in 2019, calls for broadcast network NBC to carry the Indianapolis 500 race, which has aired on ABC since 1965. In addition, NBC Sports will carry seven additional Verizon IndyCar Series races on NBC ,with all remaining races televised on NBCSN, said NBC Sports.
NBC Sports will also offer an IndyCar-based direct-to-consumer product through its NBC Sports Gold OTT franchise, said company officials.
“We’re excited to have NBC Sports serve as the exclusive home of IndyCar, which represents the most competitive open-wheel racing in the world,” said Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC Sports and NBCSN in a statement. We’re honored to bring the Indianapolis 500, one of the most prestigious events in all of sports, to NBC, further enhancing NBC Sports’ Championship Season.”
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ESPN executive vice president of programming and scheduling Burke Magnus said in a statement: “We have had a wonderful and rewarding relationship with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 and INDYCAR and it has been our distinct honor to be partners for so many years. We look forward to the rest of our events this season and wish them all the best in the future.”
