XM Launches 'NASCAR Radio 2' Channel on September 4

**RyanM** · 08-30-2004, 02:29 PM

Source: XM Satellite Radio; NASCAR
XM Satellite Radio Launches 'NASCAR Radio 2' Channel On September 4 New Channel to Provide In-Car Audio of Drivers and Teams for NASCAR's Three National Series

LOS ANGELES, Aug 30, 2004 -- XM Satellite Radio, the exclusive satellite radio service of NASCAR and home to NASCAR Radio (XM Channel 144), and NASCAR Digital Entertainment are launching a second XM Radio channel for NASCAR.

NASCAR Radio 2 brings NASCAR fans behind the wheel with in-car audio from FanScan as a complement to full race broadcast coverage from MRN and PRN on NASCAR Radio, Channel 144. NASCAR Radio 2 (XM Channel 145) will cover events in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

NASCAR Radio 2 on XM Satellite Radio debuts Saturday, September 4, with in-car coverage of the NASCAR Busch Series Target House 300 from California Speedway. The new channel will continue through the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and will air during the entire 2005 NASCAR season.

NASCAR is the only sport that offers fans the opportunity to listen in on communications between athletes and their teammates during an event. NASCAR Radio 2 on XM Channel 145 provides the FanScan pick-up of in-car audio during an event, broadcasting a constant stream of communications for all the drivers in the race. NASCAR Radio, the first and only 24-hour radio channel dedicated to a single sport, is XM Channel 144.

"XM is thrilled to offer NASCAR fans a dedicated channel for listening to all the real-time communications between drivers and their teams for every race," said Kevin Straley, vice president of talk programming, XM Satellite Radio. "The cutting-edge FanScan broadcasts on NASCAR Radio 2 are a perfect complement to XM's original NASCAR Radio channel."

"NASCAR Radio 2 is all about increased access and it's a great way for NASCAR fans to enhance their XM listening experience," said Jeffrey Pollack, managing director of broadcasting and new media, NASCAR Digital Entertainment. "NASCAR Radio on XM is an important part of our new media portfolio, and the launch of a second channel only deepens the commitment XM has made to our sport, its fans, and all of the drivers, teams, and tracks."

"By offering in-car communications via satellite radio, FanScan is helping give fans another way to listen to NASCAR drivers communicate with their teams each week." said Chris Foster, vice president of SportsCom, Inc., the company that operates the FanScan service. "We're delighted to work with XM Radio and proud to be a part of NASCAR Radio 2."

About SportsCom

SportsCom, Inc. is a leading developer of live event programming and technology. The company, based in Atlanta, has spent a decade delivering live racing audio to fans across the nation. SportsCom provides its programming and technology to several partners, including Nextel Communications, various broadcast and cable programming distributors, and a number of Fortune 500 corporations.

FanScan is a Registered Trademark of Racing Radios, Inc. Used with permission.

**RyanM** · 08-30-2004, 02:31 PM

I wonder what will be available on this channel when there isn't a race on?

XM does seem to have a niche on this market right now. But it's not something I'm going to get XM over. I can find a local FM broadcast when I cannot get to a TV.

PeptoJoe · 08-30-2004, 06:58 PM

Well this is definitely not good news. I was really looking forward to the end of the NASCAR season this year so I could see how the satelite radio contract negotiations would turn out. This is a bad sign for someone like me who was hoping Sirius would get to carry NASCAR next year. I hate to think about getting a Roady, but this might be the one thing that makes me do it. I'll keep Sirius, but a NASCAR channel (or two) is something I'd really like to have.

redhat39 · 09-01-2004, 02:45 PM

Interesting idea. I'm anxious for the next race to hear what they broadcast.

**RyanM** · 09-01-2004, 03:56 PM

I bet it will be a scanner that goes through the more popular driver's communications. If driver A starts talking before driver B, it'll stop on A's converstation until done abd swap to the next driver that is talking.

If it IS done like this, it may be more difficult to know who you are listening to than its worth. But, I'm not familiar with FanScan. It might announce the driver number that is about to be aired. I did have a TrackPass (Internet) account that offered a similiar product. The screen would show what driver's communications were being aired as well as a bunch of other stats.

In the end, you can only hear one channel on your receiver at a time, and if you are only hearing in-car audio of a few drivers, then you are missing the big picture of the race. It'll be a novelty thing IMO, but I don't feel it will have that much value in the long run.