The NTT IndyCar Series is set to remain with NBC amid speculation CBS was in contention to purchase broadcasting rights for the championship.
NBC took over full-time broadcasting rights to IndyCar in 2019 after a long-term shared deal with ABC and is in the final year of the current agreement, which is worth around $20m.
CBS has ruled itself out of taking on the US open-wheel series citing a lack of programming space due to its commitments to PGA Golf.
It is also unwilling to take on another motorsport series due to broadcasting upstart series SRX (Superstar Racing Experience) featuring such drivers like Helio Castroneves, Tony Stewart and Willy T. Ribbs.
“I can tell you that we will not have IndyCar next year,” CBS Sports’ chairman Sean McManus confirmed to the Associated Press
“Our commitment right now is to SRX and our programming schedule really precludes us from picking up a series like the IndyCar Series. Even on Indianapolis 500 week, on race day, we’ve got commitments to golf.”
According to the Sports Business Journal, IndyCar and NBC are close to agreeing a new deal despite having had preliminary discussions with Fox and ESPN.
IndyCar is shown in the UK through the Sky Sports F1 channel; it also broadcasts to over 100 countries across the globe through other broadcasters such as DAZN, Canal+, Ziggo Sport and Eurosport.
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