[satelliteracer]

NASCAR announced a major deal today with DIRECTV for an enhancement package for all NASCAR races. 25 cameras dedicated to five drivers each race. Cable's "In Car" will no longer be available as this is exclusive to DIRECTV.

DirecTV to put race fans behind the wheel - NASCAR - NBCSports.com


FOX Sports - NASCAR - DirecTV to take NASCAR fans inside the car

[rmjvol]

Sounds good for Directtv You work for them or just a nascar fan sharing the news?

Anybody think this is good for fans? Good for NA$CAR?

[Souporscotty]

NA$CAR doesn't usually do much for the fans. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess it will put $$$$ in good ol' Brian's pocket.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

NA$CAR doesn't usually do much for the fans. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess it will put $$$$ in good ol' Brian's pocket.

Scotty, Scotty, Scotty ... what are you saying here. Do you really think the France clan is in it for the bux ?????

Personally I think Direct TV might eat this one. In car camera's are good but without them I think the viewers will survive. I can't imagine anyone wanting to watch an entire race from the camera's point of view inside the car. I know I'm old school when it comes to watching a race but the in-car-cam didn't change the sport that much for me. I think initially it gave us the thought that we could get a better view but in reality we are locked into whatever some guy in the trailer is doing. I may want to look left and they are giving me a rear bumper shot. Another thing to consider, and I don't think they'll ever fix it, is that the camera and the eye do not work the same. When they drive into the sunlight the camera's lens cannot adjust the way our eyes do. Therefore we get this outrageous glare. We may get a glare in our eyes but our eyes can compensate somewhat for the glare and the camera just sees the glare.

Is there any chance Direct TV will take DW, Hammond and the extree nut, Larry Mac, also ????

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Scotty, Scotty, Scotty ... what are you saying here. Do you really think the France clan is in it for the bux ?????

Personally I think Direct TV might eat this one. In car camera's are good but without them I think the viewers will survive. I can't imagine anyone wanting to watch an entire race from the camera's point of view inside the car. I know I'm old school when it comes to watching a race but the in-car-cam didn't change the sport that much for me. I think initially it gave us the thought that we could get a better view but in reality we are locked into whatever some guy in the trailer is doing. I may want to look left and they are giving me a rear bumper shot. Another thing to consider, and I don't think they'll ever fix it, is that the camera and the eye do not work the same. When they drive into the sunlight the camera's lens cannot adjust the way our eyes do. Therefore we get this outrageous glare. We may get a glare in our eyes but our eyes can compensate somewhat for the glare and the camera just sees the glare.

Is there any chance Direct TV will take DW, Hammond and the extree nut, Larry Mac, also ????

Just to expand on this a bit, this is not only in car cameras. They are talking about 25 cameras dedicated to 5 drivers. Behind the scenes in the pits, in car, in the corners, audio feeds. Sounds like a complete production not just in car cameras. I've heard it will be 3 screens in one at times and then other times different layouts. If you're a DW or JG or a fan of any of those drivers it would be cool to watch this especially on days where the guys may not be in the top 5 and TNT is busy only focusing on the lead two guys most of the race.

[wingkey1]

Following quote from initial post could be read to say the only in car video will be via DIRECTV. This however is not the case. However "slow" some may think the NASCAR decision makers are, they are not so slow as to place all eggs in a single basket -

"Cable's "In Car" will no longer be available as this is exclusive to DIRECTV"

Anyone really think Nextel is giving up their little handhelds that can be rented at the track? Or ESPN agreed to a contract that took away in cars? It didn't happen.

The offering enhances the traditional in car coverages in several unique ways, but it does not replace it.

Good or bad for NASCAR? - It's just another way to watch the race or add to the more traditional broadcasts. It will appeal to some, but those "some" will be paying for it. DIRECTV even says the endeavor has its risks. One of which is that there will be no commitment to whcih driver(s) will be available to you once your money is committed.

I'm guessin' the perennial "front runners & most populars" will be the ones getting the camera's. Look at the test cases. Jr. & Stewart. Can't see the DIRECTV Board of Directors getting all giddy over a contract signed with Derek Cope, Stanton Barrett, Morgan Shephard or similar.

Be interesting to see how well it gains traction.

[LSC9901]

I believe the one thing that will really make it difficult for them is the fact that they won't be exclusive. When pay per view boxing cam einto being there was no other way to view the event but with NASCAR there will, hopefully, always be some network carrying the races. I certainly wouldn't pay to see Kevin Lapge getting lapped over and over again and I also wouldn't care that much about paying to see the front runners when I can see them on my regular viewing network. I wish them luck but I see no real immediate future in it right now.

[wingkey1]

There are audience segments out there that this could well play to. The "video gamer" that plays games from behind the wheel, and the seemingly increasing number of folks that are willing to pay a regular fee (monthly, per event, whatever) for some service.

Since neither of the above describe me (or most folks I know), I do not know what to expect with regards to just how well this will play.

Other piece that needs to be considered regarding the DIRECTV thing is that first you gotta have their base service before you can even "Layer on" this offering.

We'll see.

[satelliteracer]

Here are some images that will help describe the package somewhat.


I believe the package is exclusive on television for a package of this kind.


FOX Sports - NASCAR - PHOTOS: DirecTV NASCAR HotPass - Number 1

[wingkey1]

I believe the package is exclusive on television for a package of this kind.

Now the above is closer to fact. First post would lead folks to believe the only "in car" would now be a "DIRECTV only" item.

And as can be clearly seen from the web link provided by the previous post, it's going to be a "front runner follower".

Should be interesting to see how it fares.

[satelliteracer]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

I believe the package is exclusive on television for a package of this kind.

Now the above is closer to fact. First post would lead folks to believe the only "in car" would now be a "DIRECTV only" item.

And as can be clearly seen from the web link provided by the previous post, it's going to be a "front runner follower".

Should be interesting to see how it fares.

What is a front runner follower mean?

[wingkey1]

What is a front runner follower mean?

Good marketing on the part of the service provider. They will be focusing on providing the service primarily on the more/most popular drivers. A move that would make sense for the service provider.

Now some will/could be disappointed that ALL drivers will not be available particularly during the "chase" part of the season when they get over filled with all of the "front runner" coverage from the networks.

Positive for some, negative for others. DIRECTV betting on more of the former.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

I have to say Im lucky because I switched to DirectTV when I came down here, but Im not really satisfied. No service in bad weather, no actual local forecasts from the weather channel, all the channels are jumbled. I prefer Comcast much more. I think this deal is a bad idea simply because those who dont have directTV are getting kind of jipped.

[Souporscotty]

$99 per season with no guarantee who the featured drivers will be. I think I'll pass.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

$99 per season with no guarantee who the featured drivers will be. I think I'll pass.

Just a hunch, but I'm betting each week will involve one if not all of the following 8, 17, 20, 24, 48.