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28.FEB.02
ESPN to
Broadcast Indy Racing to More Than 140 Countries IRL
races shown in more than 200 countries, 300 million households
worldwide INDIANAPOLIS,
Indiana. (February 28, 2002)-- ESPN International, which was
appointed the exclusive worldwide television representative for the
Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis 500, has secured greater
international distribution for all IRL events for the upcoming
season, said Mark Reilly, ESPN's vice president and general manager
of international sales. ESPN International networks, which reach
more than 110 million homes outside of the United States, will
televise all IRL races to more than 140 countries. ESPN
International's distribution of the IRL also includes syndication
agreements with terrestrial broadcasters in such countries as
Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and Mexico,
among others. In addition, Eurosport, the most widely distributed
channel in Europe, serving more than 54 countries and 90 million
households, will televise IRL events during its "American
Zone" programming block on Sunday evenings.
ESPN International's distribution efforts, coupled with the
extensive coverage the IRL will receive in the United States on ABC
and ESPN, means each of this season's IRL events will be televised
to more than 200 countries and more than 300 million households
worldwide. Supplemental news highlights and sport anthology programs
will take these figures even higher. "The Indy Racing League is
a dynamic property that offers great excitement for auto racing
fans," Reilly said. "With the unprecedented worldwide
coverage ESPN has secured for the for Indy Racing League and
Indianapolis 500 this season, more viewers than ever will be able
see these thrilling races."
Said Tony George, Indy Racing League president and CEO: "We
are very pleased that the Indy Racing League, through ESPN
International's distribution, will reach more viewers worldwide than
any other American-based racing series. Our continued growth is
another step toward our vision of international leadership in
motorsports entertainment."
In 2001, the Indy Racing League, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
and ESPN International reached an agreement that granted ESPN
International exclusive worldwide television rights to Indy Racing
League events - including the Indianapolis 500 - through 2004. This
deal was struck shortly after the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the
Indy Racing League, ABC and ESPN, Inc. agreed to extend their
partnership for U.S. rights through 2007.
In 2002, the Indy Racing League will consist of 15 races,
including the Indianapolis 500, which is the largest single-day
sporting event in the world. Top international drivers on the Indy
Racing League circuit include Brazil's Felipe Giaffone, Gil de
Ferran, and Helio Castroneves. de Ferran is the two-time defending
CART champion, and Castroneves is the 2001 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Other top international drivers include Chile's Eliseo Salazar,
France's Laurent Redon and South Africa's Tomas Scheckter, son of
1979 Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter. The season's first
race, the 20th Anniversary Grand Prix of Miami, is scheduled for
Saturday, March 2 and will be broadcast in the United States on ABC
at 1 p.m. (EST).
The Indy Racing League, now in its seventh season, is the premier
open-wheel, oval-track series in the world. It was founded in 1994
to promote the American tradition of open-wheel, oval-track racing
and to preserve the affordability and accessibility of the sport to
all drivers.
ESPN International is a division of ESPN, Inc., the Worldwide
Leader In Sports. ESPN International programs, owns, or has equity
interest in 25 networks that can be seen in more than 110 million
households in more than 140 countries and territories outside of the
United States.
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