Zak Brown’s Vision for FOX and IndyCar in the Next Generation of Racing Broadcasts
As the IndyCar Series gears up for a new chapter with FOX Sports as its broadcast partner starting in 2025, Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, has shared some exciting ideas to elevate the viewing experience for fans.
The conclusion of this weekend’s season finale at Nashville Superspeedway marks the end of an era with NBC Sports, which has been the exclusive home of North America’s premier open-wheel championship since 2019, and a part of the series’ network family for nearly two decades. The transition to FOX Sports brings with it a range of possibilities, including the main network hosting every round next year and the majority of Indy NXT rounds being shown on FS1.
Eric Shanks, the CEO of FOX Sports, has shown a deep passion for IndyCar, according to Brown. Interestingly, there is a connection between the two as Shanks was one of Brown’s clients during his time at DirecTV roughly 20 years ago before taking on his current role overseeing McLaren’s operations across Formula 1 and IndyCar with Arrow McLaren, among others.
Enhancing the Broadcast Experience
Looking ahead to the FOX/IndyCar partnership, Brown envisions a fresh approach to broadcasts that can take the sport to a whole new level. He emphasizes the importance of incorporating more data into the broadcasts, drawing inspiration from the Formula 1 coverage, which he considers to be top-notch.
“I’d like to see a lot more data,” Brown expressed to Motorsport.com. “I think the Formula 1 broadcast is pretty awesome… I think we need to be there. What do I mean by that? I think the way they use sectors makes it easier to understand what’s going on. I think the way they do tires.”
Brown pointed out that there has been a lack of clear explanation regarding the impact of different tire compounds in IndyCar races, specifically distinguishing between the softer alternate tires (red sidewall) and the harder primary compound (black sidewall). He believes that viewers would benefit from a more in-depth analysis, focusing on lap times and tire degradation to enhance their understanding of race strategies.
Furthermore, Brown highlighted the importance of forecasting and strategy breakdowns during broadcasts, similar to what is seen in Formula 1 coverage. He emphasized the need for detailed explanations of how tire choices and race conditions can affect a driver’s performance, providing viewers with valuable insights into the on-track action.
Improving the Broadcast Window
Another aspect that Brown believes can be enhanced in IndyCar broadcasts is the length and structure of the programming. Drawing a comparison to Formula 1 broadcasts, he noted that the pacing and timing of the content play a crucial role in delivering a compelling viewing experience.
“The length is better (in F1),” Brown remarked. He emphasized the importance of allowing ample time for post-race interviews and analysis, as well as pre-race build-up to give viewers a more comprehensive insight into the drivers and teams. By avoiding rushed segments and ensuring a well-paced broadcast, Brown believes that the overall television product can be significantly improved.
Looking Towards the Future
As IndyCar prepares to embark on a new broadcast partnership with FOX Sports, Zak Brown’s vision for the future of racing broadcasts is centered around enhancing the viewer experience through the integration of more data, detailed analysis of race strategies, and a well-structured broadcast window. By drawing inspiration from successful Formula 1 coverage, Brown aims to elevate IndyCar broadcasts to a new level of engagement and excitement for fans.
In Conclusion
The upcoming collaboration between FOX Sports and IndyCar presents a unique opportunity to revolutionize how open-wheel racing is broadcasted to audiences worldwide. With Zak Brown’s innovative ideas and vision for the future of racing broadcasts, fans can look forward to a more immersive and insightful viewing experience that showcases the thrill and excitement of IndyCar racing like never before.