NASCAR ponders separate Busch TV deal

Monday, July 25, 2005 3:00 AM EDT
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NASCAR has informed television networks that it may sell television rights to its Busch Series separately from its next Nextel Cup package, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal reports.

Dick Glover, NASCAR vice president of broadcasting and new media, says the preference is maintain the current Cup-Busch packaging, but no decision has been made.

Writer Andy Bernstein reports that insiders predict that Nextel Cup and Busch Series rights will sell for about $500 million a year in the next contract, up from $400 million a year in the current deals with Fox and NBC/TNT.

Busch Series races on FX and TNT cable stations this year are averaging a 1.9 rating through 14 events, up 36 percent over 2004, while five series races on broadcast television have averaged a 2.9, up 32 percent.

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