NBC is to replace ESPN and Turner Sports as a Nascar broadcaster in the US from 2015 onwards, after agreeing a deal to share coverage with Fox.NBC has acquired the rights to broadcast the second half of the Nascar Sprint Cup season, 20 races in total including the end-of-season Chase for the Cup events, and the final 19 races each year from the second-tier Nascar Nationwide Series. Its deal with Nascar will run from 2015 to 2024, with the package also including selected Nascar regional and touring series events.13 of NBCs 20 live races will be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network, the broadcasters 24 hour sports cable network, with seven races live on NBC free-to-air. Four Nationwide Series races will be shown on NBC, with the remaining 15 on NBC Sports Network.ESPN and Turner have enjoyed long-term relationships with Nascar, but according to SportsBusiness Daily were unwilling to meet NBC's offer, said to be US$4.4 billion over ten years.NBC is known for being an exceptional partner and delivering outstanding production quality and presentation of live sports, as well as its broad portfolio of broadcast and digital properties so we are thrilled with the commitment they have made to Nascar and its future, said Nascar chairman and chief executive Brian France.We know this partnership will yield great value to our entire industry, provide a premium experience to our most important stakeholders, the fans, and help us achieve a number of strategic growth objectives. Our new partnership with NBC and the recent extension by Fox validate the strength of our fan base and the many bold steps we have taken the last several years to provide fans with better, more accessible racing.Fox, which broadcasts the first half of the Sprint Cup season including the prestigious Daytona 500, signed a new deal with Nascar in October last year. That deal, for 13 races a season, is believed to be worth US$2.5 billion over an eight year period running to 2022. It begins in 2015.ESPN and Turner paid US$2.74 billion for its current eight-year deal, which runs out at the end of 2014.Assuming the Sprint Cup schedule continues to consist of 36 races a year, three mid-season races remain unsold by Nascar. It is thought likely Fox will pick up the additional events. The first half of the Nationwide Series season also remains available.NBC was always considered a likely bidder during this round of domestic broadcast rights sales, especially following the launch of its 24-hour sports network at the start of last year. Nascar will join Formula One and Indycar as part of NBC's motorsports rights portfolio.Acquiring the rights and bringing Nacar back to NBC comes at an important point in time for NBC Sports Network, NBC, and all of our distributors and affiliates, said NBC Sports Group chairman, Mark Lazarus.We look forward to working with Brian and his management team, who have brought a renewed focus to Nascars intersection of sports and technology.Nascars vice president of broadcating and productions Steve Herbst added: Were confident NBC will utilise its powerful championship season lineup, including the NHL Playoffs, Premier League, the French Open, the Kentucky Derby and other events, to build interest and excitement for Nascar.Those opportunities, combined with the opportunity to lead into the number one show on televisionNBCs Sunday Night Footballfor select Chase races, were both very attractive prospects when considering this partnership.NBC previously broadcast Nascar in 2006, before ESPN took over the rights.

Source: SportsPro