Speedvision Programing

[cary]

Here is Speedvisions answer to all our input. Went looking for tonights schedule. And found the open letter from "Speed"s president.

An Open Letter To Speedvision Viewers

New York, November 30 — Over the past few months I have received many e-mails regarding the relationship between NASCAR and Speedvision. While I would love to answer them individually, I cannot. I would however like to take a moment and cover some of the more popular concerns that have been raised.

First, let me explain the reason we are adding NASCAR programming, although some of the reason should be self evident.

Speedvision has built a reputation as the best motorsports destination in the world. We have accomplished that to date, without the most popular of all domestic racing, NASCAR. Obviously, the inclusion of NASCAR programming will do nothing but grow the network and add to our claim of being the best. I would also like to add that the partnership with NASCAR comes at a good time, as we are finding early indications of a slowdown in our growth. Over the past few months, some cable companies that are currently carrying us, have begun to move us to less desirable positions within their universe. Less desirable and smaller. This is a solid indication that our growth with our current properties is slowing. NASCAR and its 75 million fans are a perfect addition to keep our progress sustained, pressure cable operators to keep us or move us to a more attractive spot for our viewers, and more importantly, in the areas that currently do not carry Speedvision, ( a number that represents about half of the country), include us in their line-up. In short, our NASCAR programming is what will keep the network growing and prospering. If we could not continue to grow, the network would not be in a position to renew or extend even the current line-up as it exists.

That current line-up seems to be the center of the debate. I would like to outline the core programming we will carry in the way we have in the past, have multi-year deals with or, in some cases, are adding to the line-up.

The notable exception is F1, as we are negotiation with them to continue our relationship with them. We have put together a very attractive offer and are doing everything we can to continue with F1. We feel confident we will move forward with them:

F1, including qualifying and all current F1 events
Le Mans, ALMS
Le Mans 24 hour coverage
SCCA Trans Am
Grand AM

All of the current motorcycle event coverage will remain including:

FIM Grand Prix
World Superbike
AMA Superbike

Existing programming to remain as well:

Legends of Motorsports
Motorsport Mundial
Speedvision GT Championships
Barrret Jackson auto auction
Speed News

In addition we will now have:

NASCAR programming
CART, Qualifying and other events
Extended coverage of World Rally
ARCA live races

We also hope to have some very exciting news regarding additional motorcycle programming soon.

Programs eliminated were done so based off of extensive research looking at ratings and audience composition. Like any company, we eliminated poor performers and if you were a fan of a show no longer on our air, you unfortunately must have been in a small group. Some of this includes aviation programming, boating programming and other half hour magazine programs. We will still carry some aviation and boating shows that performed well.

THIS LIST IS NOT MEANT TO BE COMPLETE OR REPRESENT OUR ENTIRE SCHEDULE.

If you have a specific question, please feel free to e-mail them in.

It is your passion and concern that will continue to fuel this network. That is why I appreciate the time many of you spent to contact us. I would encourage you to do so, and also stay in touch with your local cable operator to let them know how important this channel is to you. We do continue to understand the entertainment value the network holds for you and will continue to honor that and grow the network. Growth that is critical to ensure the longevity of this network.

Thank you, keep writing. — Jim Liberatore - President Speed Channel

[rstoll]

Sure would be nice to see some Kart Racing every once in a while.

[Doug Zielke]

That's basically good news (if true).
The continuation of the whole Le Mans 24 hrs, is reason enough for me to keep Speedvision on my cable.

Karts? Yeah, Robert, I'd like to see more (any?)
They have shown some karting in the past (Stars Of The Future, from the UK) but that's about all.

[pbs911]

Personally, I do not see what is wrong with NASCAR. 700 HP, 200 MPH @ 7,500 RPMS is performance. I don't car how you slice it. I've been following it for the past 6-7 years, and get garage pases and pit passes to every KART and NASCAR race in California. I must say, the atmosphere is more "user friendly" in NASCAR. Racers like Petty, Andretti, Park, Waltrip, Harvick (and once Earnhardt Sr., are always approachable. Not so in KART. Try getting into the pit in Formula. It ain't going to happen. Going to the races and being invited into the pit with Petty or Andertti makes for an impressive day. More KART and formula 1 is always welcome, don' get me wrong. But I have never received the welcome I get at a NASCAR race. With Earnhardt gone, however, something is missing.
As soon as SV gets rid of lawnmower races, boat racing and historical aircraft, I will agree that the addition of NASCAR takes away from the programing. Considering SV was unable to fill up it's programing without such programs, or without the infomercial, I don't know what anyone is complaining about. Is it that people can't stand "the good ole" boys racing? NASCAR is the heart of American racing. It stems form the good ole boys running bootleg mooshine during prohibition. Denigrating NASCAR is denigrating America.
Brembo special release posters of Formula 1, KART and NASCQR adorn the walls in my garage. I enjoy racing. I appreciate high performance. That is why I drive the most reliable, dependable, best engineered cars in the world - a 911.

[Doug Zielke]

I think RSTOLL meant KART (as in go-kart).

[rstoll]

Yes, go-kart.

[wdarner]

I remember hearing about a novelist who needed to write cheap romantic novels to support his life's work because of the cash flow they generated. Made sense to me. I don't care if SV wants to cover NASCAR or any other oval race series. What ever they or someone else has to do to allow us the see F1 races on TV FOR FREE is OK by me. While I have a boredom problem with oval racing, I have been to NASCAR races at Watkins Glen and actually enjoyed them. I guess I am not "anti NASCAR" just "anti oval". I wil make one exception to that. For some reason I accept the Indy 500 for what it is and enjoy it also.

[Jack Olsen]

I don't know, that 'open letter' sounds like a lot of crap to me.

This was just posted by a guy on the Rennlist:

NEW YORK (Variety) - Having struck Nielsen gold with its 2001 coverage of NASCAR (news - web sites) races, Fox Sports has signed a deal that will give NASCAR control of nine hours per day of the Speedvision cable network's programming schedule.

Under the umbrella title NASCAR TV, the 3 p.m.-midnight block will kick off Feb. 11, the date that Fox Sports officially relaunches Speedvision with a new name, the Speed Channel.

The same lame argument could be made that nine hours of soap operas would 'keep their progress sustained.' Only problem would be, it wouldn't be a racing channel any more. There's already plenty of Nascar on Speedvision. As a consumer, I don't care one bit what keeps Speedvision 'growing and prospering.' I want to know what's going to make it better, and I don't think more Nascar is the key to that.

[rscupper]

Jim Liberatore's open letter makes alot of sense and I admire his forthrightness. SV is a business like any other. NASCAR is very popular at the moment. It makes sense that SV wants to get into bed with NASCAR to get their piece of the money pie. I would prefer that F1 were in the same popularity/money situation as NASCAR, but....

pbs911: "Denigrating NASCAR is denegrating America."?
Logical conclusion: 'If you don't like NASCAR you don't like America' - such rubbish.

[rstoll]

Bobsledding anyone???

[cegerer]

Sheesh, Speedvision and Porsche must be using the same PR firm. i.e.,

In short, our NASCAR programming is what will keep the network growing and prospering. If we could not continue to grow, the network would not be in a position to renew or extend even the current line-up as it exists.

Sounds an awful lot like "in short, our Cayenne program is what will keep Porsche growing and prospering. If we could not continue to grow, Porsche would not be in a position to produce its current sportscars."

[tmctguer]

i didn't see "Lawnmower Races" in the programming list. now i'm pissed........

i REALLY like watching that show early saturday mornings.