Total Reach To Exceed 200 Countries, 325 Million Households
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
ESPN will distribute the Indianapolis 500, the world's most prestigious auto race, to the largest worldwide television audience in the 87-year history of the event, it was announced May 20 by Mark S. Reilly, ESPN's vice president and general manager of international sales.
The green flag will fall on the 33-car starting field of the Indianapolis 500 at noon (EDT) May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
ESPN, which is the exclusive worldwide television representative of the Indy Racing League's IndyCarTM Series and the Indianapolis 500, will televise the Indianapolis 500 live to more than 140 countries and territories outside of the United States via its affiliated networks in Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, New Zealand and the Middle East.
ESPN also is responsible for the global syndication of the Indy 500 for broadcast in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom. In addition, ESPN has reached an agreement with Eurosport, the most widely available channel in Europe, reaching more than 95 million homes and 250 million viewers in 54 countries, to televise the Indianapolis 500 on same-day delay.
In the United States, the Indianapolis 500 will be telecast live to a nationwide audience on Disney-owned ABC. When combined with ESPN's international distribution efforts, the estimated worldwide total for the Indianapolis 500 will exceed more than 200 countries and 325 million households worldwide for the second consecutive year.
"It's exciting to know that the biggest worldwide audience ever will be watching when Helio Castroneves attempts to make history by winning three consecutive Indianapolis 500s," said Joie Chitwood, senior vice president of business affairs for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "With all of its drama, pageantry and traditions, the Indianapolis 500 is an event that is known worldwide, and now more of the world will be able to watch it."
Said Reilly: "The Indianapolis 500 is recognized as a premier motorsports competition throughout the world, and ESPN is pleased to once again offer record distribution of this great event."
In addition to the broad global television distribution of the race, this year's Indianapolis 500 also has a particular international appeal. Of the 33 starting drivers, 13 are from countries outside of the United States, including six drivers from Brazil, three drivers from Japan, and one driver each from England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sweden.
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