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ESPN Decides Not to Renew "RPM 2Night"
After almost three full seasons of being on the outside looking in at NASCAR events, ESPN has decided not to renew RPM 2Night next season. "As a result of low ratings, RPM will not return next year," ESPN spokesman Mike Humes tells MotorsportsTV.com. However, it will finish out its run this year.
NASCAR might be pleased with another decision from the Disney network. Humes says that "starting with next year's Daytona 500, ESPN will accept credentials" to NASCAR events. Currently, ESPN's Mike Massaro and a producer have standard media credentials to talk to people and search for news inside the track, but ESPN does not shoot any footage inside the track.
The conflict between NASCAR and ESPN has festered since February of 2001. NASCAR wouldn't grant ESPN a credential to shoot footage for RPM or use actual race footage because the sanctioning body classifies RPM as a feature show. In turn, ESPN said that it would not seek a credential for any video crews for its news outlets and shows.
Now, after three seasons outside the garage, it looks like ESPN will use the opportunity to gather video footage and interviews inside the garage area for its news shows.
Just because RPM is going away, that doesn't mean that ESPN's coverage of motor sports will decline. "We will continue to provide auto racing coverage on ESPN, ESPN News, and other platforms as well," says Humes. "We'll still have extensive coverage of the IRL, NHRA, and TRAC."
NASCAR should be very pleased with ESPN's decision to seek credentials again. The sanctioning body wants to continue to grow the sport and deliver it to the broadest possible audience. ESPN is the clear leader in reaching the marginal sports fans, the ones who are probably most likely to become more interested in NASCAR. More potential exposure on SportsCenter and all of the ESPN properties can only help. (8/26)
After almost three full seasons of being on the outside looking in at NASCAR events, ESPN has decided not to renew RPM 2Night next season. "As a result of low ratings, RPM will not return next year," ESPN spokesman Mike Humes tells MotorsportsTV.com. However, it will finish out its run this year.
NASCAR might be pleased with another decision from the Disney network. Humes says that "starting with next year's Daytona 500, ESPN will accept credentials" to NASCAR events. Currently, ESPN's Mike Massaro and a producer have standard media credentials to talk to people and search for news inside the track, but ESPN does not shoot any footage inside the track.
The conflict between NASCAR and ESPN has festered since February of 2001. NASCAR wouldn't grant ESPN a credential to shoot footage for RPM or use actual race footage because the sanctioning body classifies RPM as a feature show. In turn, ESPN said that it would not seek a credential for any video crews for its news outlets and shows.
Now, after three seasons outside the garage, it looks like ESPN will use the opportunity to gather video footage and interviews inside the garage area for its news shows.
Just because RPM is going away, that doesn't mean that ESPN's coverage of motor sports will decline. "We will continue to provide auto racing coverage on ESPN, ESPN News, and other platforms as well," says Humes. "We'll still have extensive coverage of the IRL, NHRA, and TRAC."
NASCAR should be very pleased with ESPN's decision to seek credentials again. The sanctioning body wants to continue to grow the sport and deliver it to the broadest possible audience. ESPN is the clear leader in reaching the marginal sports fans, the ones who are probably most likely to become more interested in NASCAR. More potential exposure on SportsCenter and all of the ESPN properties can only help. (8/26)
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