On March 6 sports channel ESPN2 offered viewers a slightly different look at the IndyCar Series season-opening race: a live telecast using in-car cameras. The coverage was a simulcast of ESPN’s coverage of the Toyota Indy 300 from the Homestead-Miami Speedway, only taken from the drivers’ perspective. ESPN360, the sports network’s high-speed broadband service, also provided split-screen views of ESPN and ESPN2’s coverage simultaneously for computer users.
In-car wireless RF cameras were installed on the cars of seven different drivers during the race. There were no national commercial breaks and only five local breaks. ESPN2’s local commercial breaks were taken at a different time than ESPN commercials to provide non-stop race coverage. Both channels used separate announce teams.
In addition to the broadcast TV coverage, subscription-based ESPN360 provided a live split-screen simultaneous display of ESPN and ESPN2’s coverage, allowing users to see ESPN’s “SIDE-BY-SIDE” concept and ESPN2’s in-car coverage simultaneously. The service will showcase IndyCar content throughout the season, with live and on-demand coverage of select IndyCar and Pro Series races, plus live action from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway throughout the month of May.
For more information, visit www.ESPN360.com.
