NASCAR, FOX extend and expand TV deal through 2022

FOX Sports Media Group has locked up the rights to broadcast the Daytona 500 through 2022, as part of a comprehensive extension and expansion of FSMG's current agreement with NASCAR, announced Monday.

The rights to televise NASCAR's most prestigious race are merely the tip of the iceberg in a agreement that now extends to streaming video on digital platforms, as both NASCAR and FOX adapt to increasingly diverse expectations of consumers.

NASCAR and FSMG have two years left on their current agreement, under which FOX televises the first 13 points races of the season as well as the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the Daytona Shootout and the Duel at Daytona (twin 150-mile qualifying races for the Daytona 500).

Those rights are extended through 2022 under the new deal. In addition, FSMG will begin "TV Everywhere" live streaming of the NASCAR events its covers, beginning Jan. 1, 2013. NASCAR's reacquisition of editorial, operation and business control of its digital platform from Turner Sports, effective Jan. 1, makes the digital aspect of the deal possible.

FOX also retains the rights to broadcast the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, currently aired on SPEED, a FOX subsidiary. FSMG also will have rights to air qualifying and practice sessions for the races it broadcasts.

Currently, SPEED airs practice and qualifying for all Cup races, but SPEED won't exist as such when the new agreement goes into effect in 2015. FSMG is transitioning SPEED into an all-sports network called FOX 1, which will carry Major League Baseball, college football and Ultimate Fighting Championship events as well as motorsports programming.

NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France heralded the deal, which ensures NASCAR racing's presence on FOX through 2022.

"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," France said. "We are thrilled to be able to extend our relationship in such a significant way for our track partners, race teams, and most importantly, our millions of loyal and passionate fans.

"This extension with FOX Sports Media Group helps position the sport for future growth as NASCAR continues to be an anchor with one of the world's largest and most influential media companies."

As part of the expansion of the agreement in 2013, FSMG will acquire extensive digital rights that will allow streaming of pre- and post-race programming, race highlights and race replays as well as live race coverage. In the deal that takes effect in 2015, FSMG also retains the rights to branded pre- and post-race shows.

NASCAR will continue discussions with its other current broadcast partners, ABC/ESPN and TNT, and potential new bidders as the current contract moves toward conclusion at the end of 2014.

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