Coverage to exceed 200 countries and territories, 375 million households
ESPN, the exclusive worldwide television representative of the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500, will televise the Indianapolis 500 live to 177 countries and territories outside the United States.
ESPN's international networks will televise the race throughout Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Pacific Rim.
The green flag falls on the 33-car starting field of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" at1 p.m. (ET) Sunday, May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the live nationwide telecast on ABC in the United States.
ESPN is also responsible for the global syndication of the Indy 500 for live broadcast in Belgium, Bosnia/Serbia, Canada, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom.
In addition, ESPN will distribute the Indy 500 to the American Forces Network, which serves military personnel stationed in 176 countries and U.S. territories.
When combined with ESPN's international distribution efforts, the estimated worldwide total for the Indy 500 includes more than 212 countries and more than 375 million households worldwide.
ESPN will have two separate on-site teams broadcasting the race in Spanish and English to international audiences.
Spanish-language announcers will be veteran broadcaster Andres Agulla and Alex Pombo; Gary Lee and Larry Rice will provide commentary in English. ESPN's international coverage will peak at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, with a 20-minute special edition of its auto racing show "RPM Semanal," telecast in Spanish in Latin America, and pre-race show "Before They Go Green," telecast in English on ESPN networks in Africa, the Middle East, Israel, the Caribbean and the PacRim/Australia.
In addition to the broad global television distribution of the race, this years Indy 500 also has a particular international appeal. Of the 33starting drivers, 20 are from countries other than the United States, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, New Zealand, Japan, SouthAfrica, Spain and Venezuela.
ESPNdeportes.com, the company's Spanish-language Web site, also will provide comprehensive coverage of the Indy 500 by offering live Real Time results of race action, daily columns from ESPN reporters and commentators, chats with ESPN personalities, a full pre- and post-race photo gallery, video clips andmore, including: .
News & analysis for Qualifying rounds and the 92nd Indianapolis 500. .Video Highlights.Photo galleries from Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Blogs with drivers E.J. Viso and Mario Dominguez. Special video reports from the Spanish talent at site Andres Agulla and Alex Pombo, and from Mexican driver Mario Dominguez.
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Indy 500 tickets on sale: Tickets are on sale for the 2008 Indianapolis 500on Sunday, May 25, the 92nd running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Fans can order tickets online at indianapolismotorspeedway.com, bycalling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or at the ticket office at the Indianapolis MotorSpeedway. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through theticket office. Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET)Monday-Sunday during May, with special hours of 6 a.m.-1 p.m. on Race Day,Sunday, May 25.
Online orders can be made at any time. Race Day ticketprices start at just $20. Indy 500 TV, radio: ABC and ESPN2 will provide live Race Day televisioncoverage of the 92nd Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25. Pre-race coveragestarts at 11 a.m. (ET) on ESPN2, continuing at noon on ABC. Race coveragebegins at 1 p.m. on ABC. IMS Radio Network Race Day coverage starts with a pre-race show at noon,followed by the race at 1 p.m.
The radio network's coverage also will bebroadcast live on XM Satellite Radio Channel 145, "IndyCar Series Racing,"and XM Channel 144.
