There is no question that we are not big fans of the game shows, incessant NASCAR shows and the overal “original” programming on Speed TV. While we think Speedvision had the right idea, we feel Speed TV compromised its integrity by catering to the NASCAR crowd.
Don’t get me wrong, that’s where the money is and as anyone in business will tell you, you go where the money is. No harm, no foul. but what about the rest of the Speedvision viewers who really like road course racing and European series? What about the millions who are not NASCAR fans? Where do we go?
Speed TV has the answer…sort of. Speed TV announced today that they will be offering a broadband channel via internet called Speed 2. This hearkens back to the Speedvision days with most of the real racing we have come to love but Speed was afraid to carry.
I cannot imagine a racing channel that does not carry Pass Time, Bull Run, Pinks or over 30 NASCAR shows. I am not even sure how to react to be honest. The amount of programming on Speed TV that is NASCAR-centric is astounding. The game shows have reached epic fail proportions and the lack of any real road racing is depressing. Perhaps this is the solution?
No, it’s not on your TV service provider but I can live with the streaming service on my 23″ monitor for now. Here is the release:
NEW BROADBAND NETWORK SPEED2â„¢ SET TO LAUNCH SUMMER 2010
MORE THAN A DOZEN INTERNATIONAL RACING SERIES SLATED FOR INAUGURAL ONLINE LINEUP
SPEED2, a groundbreaking new broadband network featuring live, streaming events that will complement the tremendous offerings of the linear SPEED network, is set to launch Summer 2010, it was announced today by SPEED President Hunter Nickell.
A beta version of SPEED2 will be available in June 2010 with a wider consumer debut targeted for July. Available only to SPEED subscribers as an authenticated online network, SPEED2 also will provide a variety of video-on-demand international motor sports content and compelling automotive and motorcycle enthusiast programming.
“NASCAR, the most popular form of motor sports in North America, is the foundation and top priority of the linear network,†Nickell said. “Developing SPEED2 provides a dedicated platform for a wider variety of racing, including some of the coolest international events from tracks around the world.â€
Magazine shows, such as Motorsports Mundial and Inside Grand Prix, will be featured on SPEED2, and the network’s more than a dozen international racing series includes the Time Trial Xtreme Grand Prix (TTXGP), a race featuring zero-carbon, clean-emission motorcycles. Following is an initial list of the races scheduled exclusively for SPEED2:
• FIA GT1 and GT3 (World and European Championship Touring Car Racing Series)
• German Touring Car (DTM)
• World Touring Car Championship (WTCC)
• Intercontinental Rally
• British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)
• FIM Motocross World Championship (All-Terrain Motorcycle Racing)
• FIM Supermoto World Championship (Motorcross and Off-Road Racing)
• FIM Enduro World Championship (Long Distance Off-Road Motorcycle Racing)
• Nürburgring 24 (Touring Car Endurance Racing)
• Formula 2 (Open Wheel Formula Racing)
• F3 Euroseries (European Open Wheel Developmental Racing Series)
• VW Scirocco Cup (German Single-Make Racing Series)
• TTXGP“SPEED2 will be at the cutting edge of new media programming,†said Mike Biard, Executive Vice President, Fox Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing. “Our distributors have been seeking more online content to complement their video offerings, and this network will deliver what drives viewership—exclusive live events and dramatic action—all in an authenticated online environment.â€
Both standard and high-definition content will be provided on SPEED2, and the broadband network will also have access to an extensive programming library from SPEED’s 14 years on the air, including the popular series American Muscle Car, Behind the Headlights, Back in the Day and Victory by Design.
