The CW Reportedly Considering Controversial Broadcast Change For 2025

What’s Happening?

NASCAR’s newest TV partner, the CW, is just three races into its tenure as the broadcaster of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Most fans are pleased with the channel so far. However, a major change in 2025 could spell discontent for the channel.

• The CW is known for its large broadcast network and easy availability for viewers. Following Nexstar Media Group’s purchase of the CW in 2022, the brand has expanded its programming into sports.
• The CW was the first official buy-in on NASCAR’s new media rights deal. The channel will take over season-long Xfinity Series TV broadcasts in 2025.
• In a shock move, the CW took over for NBC, starting at the Xfinity Series Playoff cutoff race at Bristol. The production is familiar as of now, utilizing NBC Sports talent and graphics.
• We know very little about the CW’s 2025 production. However, we have received news about what that might entail, including one very disputed change.

What is this Change?

Remote broadcasts have long been a fear of sports fans, perhaps none more so than NASCAR fans. However, according to a recent report from Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal, the CW and NASCAR are negotiating to have multiple remote broadcasts in 2025.

These would be from the new NASCAR’s new state-of-the-art broadcast facility. When NASCAR opened this facility, a note about remote broadcast abilities scared fans.

Fans also speculated about more remote broadcasts earlier this season when Dale Earnhardt Jr. mentioned remote broadcasts on an early podcast. However, Earnhardt shot these rumors down.

Fans fear remote broadcasts because of the latency involved when calling a race from a monitor and not having as broad a view available to them as they would watch from a press box.

Furthermore, NASCAR presents difficulties for remote broadcasts due to the sheer unpredictable nature of 38 to 40 cars on a massive track. However, the new facility does have capabilities to assist in this problem area.

Remote broadcasts have positive aspects. Of course, they support the sport and broadcast partner more than fans. Reasons include cost, travel, and staffing. However, the CW may have staff at tracks even if they call the race remotely.

Has Anyone Done This Before?

NASCAR fans experienced remote broadcasts during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, this was due to the difficulty of sending staff to the track during a worldwide pandemic.

These races were not bad. However, they were not ideal for fans, who overlooked certain aspects of the difficult broadcasts. This move to the booth made for a transition for the Truck Series to a half-season of remote races.

Fans often criticize the remote Truck Series races as lazy and cheap, with X and other social media full of fans essentially roasting the broadcast for any issue, small or large.

Reactions

As you would expect, the response to the most recent news was harsh. BrakeHard summoned the Truck Series in his response.

Brock Beard of LASTCAR, who is very outspoken about NASCAR’s broadcast quality, was blunt in his response.

However, in what may have been the bad news for the CW, Dale Earnhardt Jr., the traditionalist that he is, gave his honest yet short opinion on the matter.

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