NASCAR Expedites CW Deal for Exclusive Coverage of 2024 Xfinity Season's Final Races

Author:

Patricia Bell

|Published: April 12th, 2024

NASCAR's Xfinity Series is set to wrap up its 2024 season with exclusive coverage of its final eight races on The CW Network, accelerating the network's originally planned seven-year deal slated to commence in 2025.

The CW's coverage, sublicensed from NBC Sports, will kick off on September 20, featuring NBC's announcers and Jeff Behnke from NBC Sports overseeing production.

Notably, The CW will air all Xfinity races on Saturdays, including the Xfinity Series Championship on November 9 at Phoenix Raceway.

The agreement between NBC Sports and The CW aims to familiarize fans with NASCAR races on the free-to-air channel, enhancing accessibility and viewership.

NASCAR's senior vice president of media and productions, Brian Herbst, expressed excitement about The CW's early involvement as the Xfinity Series' home.

Comcast, Xfinity's parent company, also owns NBCUniversal and NBC Sports, consolidating NASCAR's broadcasting landscape.

The CW's approach to sports broadcasting, including LIV Golf and Raycom Sports' ACC football and basketball, underscores its commitment to quality coverage.

Officially taking over Xfinity Series coverage from 2025 to 2031, The CW's $115 million annual rights deal marks a significant investment in second-tier motorsport properties globally.

This extended agreement promises increased exposure and consistency for US viewers.

Dennis Miller, president of The CW, looks forward to establishing the network as a premier destination for live motorsports and providing racing fans with thrilling action ahead of schedule.

In parallel, NASCAR's Cup Series gears up for a transformative 2025 season, with Fox and NBC relinquishing 10 races in favor of TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video.

While The CW ensures widespread availability, the Cup Series deal targets broader reach through innovative platforms, including Nascar's first fully direct-to-consumer media partner, Prime Video, and TNT's pay TV channels.