ISC sign TV deal in USA

[MJW]

WRC promoter International Sportsworld Communicators (ISC) has secured a deal with Discovery Communication channel HD Theater, which has a total audience of 633 million.
Whilst its good to have covergae in an important market such as North America I just wonder if this means more X Games Staples Center type rallying, for the XBox/Playstation set. Sorry for cynicsm, it must be an age thing.

[Allyc85]

Must be :p

I think its great news for the championship. Spreading the word to a different market and its about time we had a round in North America :D

[ProRally]

Now some real rally's like in the old days...

But I guess that is too much to wish for

[serial jeff]

Sweet... it's about time. Hopefully I can get it up here in Canada.

[janvanvurpa]

WRC promoter International Sportsworld Communicators (ISC) has secured a deal with Discovery Communication channel HD Theater, which has a total audience of 633 million.
Whilst its good to have covergae in an important market such as North America I just wonder if this means more X Games Staples Center type rallying, for the XBox/Playstation set. Sorry for cynicsm, it must be an age thing.


Wait! We already have extensive You-tube coverage of all the latest happenings of Kenny and Travvie*, what more could we want here?
Did you know Travvie was 2007 World Rally Champion?



*it is a requirement in North American rallying to always, no matter how distant you are, refer to the "Rally Superstars" and "Rally Gods" such as Block and Pastrana by their first names only.
Please see to it that you follow these rules.


Kinda sucks that the WRC coverage will be of a time when there are just a couple of people worth watching before its Wilson, Rautenbach etc etc.

[fastboy]

I think it is good news,more exposure for the manufactures , and will hopefully incourage new teams in for 2011.

[N.O.T]

hopefully this move will have as a result a world rally round again in the USA and also some new manufacturers with good sales there to be interested again....

[gloomyDAY]

Yes! Finally.

I just hope they get rid of that awful commentator.
He even makes watching NORF unpleasant.

[steve_spackman]

I think it is good news,more exposure for the manufactures , and will hopefully incourage new teams in for 2011.

Strange..Ford is a NA company, yet they dont give the Ford World Rally Team any exposure at all in the US

[AndyRAC]

Yes! Finally.

I just hope they get rid of that awful commentator.
He even makes watching NORF unpleasant.

I'm afraid he will be there - they will probably get the same coverage as everybody else.
Just one thought, it's not on a sports channel, but Discovery, a documentary channel.......strange???

[lcd]

Good news! Maybe more American fellows discover the excitement of point to point rallying!

[tmx]

Strange..Ford is a NA company, yet they don't give the Ford World Rally Team any exposure at all in the US
Yes, I've always thought the same. I would think they could improve their sales a big by showing videos of Hivonen's Finland jumps. I also felt some Ford models sold in Europe is better than sold in US.

[Rallyper]

USA/CAnada is huge markets for selling cars. Right? Now after the financial crisis they have to make smaller cars, like them we use in Europe and other parts of the world.

So what could be better than running the WRC in US-television. That would be a boost not only for the WRC itself but also for the european manufacturers that will get a great opportunity to increase marketshares for their brands. (those who realise that rallying is selling cars) :)

[lcd]

...That would be a boost not only for the WRC itself but also for the european manufacturers that will get a great opportunity to increase marketshares for their brands. (those who realise that rallying is selling cars) :)

You've made a quite clear point there..!

[JFL]

USA/CAnada is huge markets for selling cars. Right? Now after the financial crisis they have to make smaller cars, like them we use in Europe and other parts of the world.

So what could be better than running the WRC in US-television. That would be a boost not only for the WRC itself but also for the european manufacturers that will get a great opportunity to increase marketshares for their brands. (those who realise that rallying is selling cars) :)

And maybe we will see a american built WRC-car in the future? :)

[koko0703]

Strange..Ford is a NA company, yet they dont give the Ford World Rally Team any exposure at all in the US

Maybe Ford is behind this deal between ISC and Discovery Channel. Maybe the extensive coverage in their home country is one of the "must" for them to stay in the championship... Maybe....

[Lousada]

A tv-channel has an audience of 633 million people in a country with only 300 million people. Somebody fill me in on the math here?

[anthonyvop]

Strange..Ford is a NA company, yet they dont give the Ford World Rally Team any exposure at all in the US
That is changing.

Ford is promoting the Ford Fiesta at the Pike's peak hillclimb..Go Marcus

Also there will be Fiestas competing at the X-Games.

[gloomyDAY]

http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=101&id=5515&desc=High-definition%20WRC%20coverage%20coming%20to%20Americ a

Holy....it's going to be broadcast in HD!

I guess this "promoter" is finally promoting.

[Motorsportfun]

http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=101&id=5515&desc=High-definition%20WRC%20coverage%20coming%20to%20Americ a

Holy....it's going to be broadcast in HD!

I guess this "promoter" is finally promoting.

It will be a upscaled signal (half HD), though. ;)

[steve_spackman]

Yes, I've always thought the same. I would think they could improve their sales a big by showing videos of Hivonen's Finland jumps. I also felt some Ford models sold in Europe is better than sold in US.

A few Ford EU models are going to be sold in the US. The Fiesta, the new Focus and also the Transit Connect. I have heard that the Mondeo will be over there soon too. This is all part of the 'one world ford' scheme.

I just hope that Ford do not try and sell the NA Fords over here, as the Fords in NA are crap!

[gloomyDAY]

It will be a upscaled signal (half HD), though. ;) Still better than what you'll be watching. :D

I have a small TV and is only 720p. That makes me very happy.


A few Ford EU models are going to be sold in the US. The Fiesta, the new Focus and also the Transit Connect. I have heard that the Mondeo will be over there soon too. This is all part of the 'one world ford' scheme.

I just hope that Ford do not try and sell the NA Fords over here, as the Fords in NA are crap!Aside from their trucks, which no one is buying, this is quite true. I really hated the old generation Focus. A Burmese motorcycle would have been more reliable. I'm bummed out that Europe gets the cool little cars and North America gets fat drab cars.

[MJW]

I'm getting more optimistic about this deal with ISC in the USA. Looking at the bigger picture the manufacturers are in rallying to see cars. Unless you have had no media contact over the past 18 months you will realise that the motor manufacturers have had a bad time, especially in the US with technical nbankruptcies of Chrysler and GM. With my European head I can see why - cr*p cars built by the manufacturers for the domestic market.The Euro cars made by Ford and GM were more succesful, when we come out of this recession and the American public start buying more economical and better handling cars rallying will be possibly THE best marketing. It will also make for good TV, and while we are at it, lets make it a triple header North American trip, Mexico, USA and another snow rally in Canada.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Motorsportfun; what HD broadcast res do they film the WRC if you know?

And I'm not too sure if the inner parts of the US would like to see Abu dhabi sponsors on the Fords! Haha but can see a change with more sponsors, and perhaps some wealthy drivers becoming privateers in the coming years and perhaps a close to the US round ?

[Shenan]

Hi Folks, haven't posted here in a few years, but with the WRC coming back to US TV, I figured I'd dust my account off. :)

Here's the press release with the specifics about the deal:

HD THEATER ANNOUNCES 2009 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE STARTING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

– FIA World Rally Championship Returns To U.S. With 17 Hours of Exclusive Coverage on HD Theater –
(Silver Spring, MD) – HD Theater expands its high-octane programming by reintroducing American audiences to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Starting Sunday, October 4, HD Theater launches its coverage with six new hours of action-packed rally racing programming – culminating with the U.S. premiere of 2009’s first WRC event, RALLY IRELAND, at 8 PM ET. The block of programming will immerse HD Theater’s audience into the adrenaline-fuelled world of the WRC.
The FIA World Rally Championship is an epic motorsport adventure, pitting man and machine against nature. Over a grueling 10 month schedule, the world’s greatest drivers and the most advanced rally cars take on some of the most challenging terrain that nature has to offer. Across twelve events spanning three continents, biting cold, driving rain and scorching heat combine with dirt, asphalt, gravel, snow and ice roads to present an electrifying, high-speed challenge that is unmatched in motorsports. These drivers assault treacherous mountain passes, winding back country roads and narrow forest paths at breakneck speeds exceeding 120 mph. HD Theater presents their exclusive U.S. coverage of the 2009 WRC with the following programming schedule:

“World Rally Madness” Programming Block
Sunday, October 4 from 3-9 PM ET
3 PM: GREATEST STAGES
This episode profiles the most challenging events from the history of rallying.
4 PM: DARING DRIVES
Viewers ride along as the legends of the WRC are pushed to the limit and beyond by some of the most spectacular and technical stages on the rally racing circuit.
5 PM: GREATEST CARS
The machines are the stars of this episode, which showcases the greatest rally cars of all time.
6 PM: TOP TEN SPECTACULAR CRASHES
Even the best make mistakes and in the WRC, those mistakes can be stunning. This program counts down the most exciting crashes in rallying history.
7 PM: 2009 WRC SEASON PREVIEW
This episode introduces viewers to the drivers, manufacturers and events that will make up the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship.

8 PM: RALLY IRELAND
The 2009 WRC kicks off with a monumental challenge: 217 miles of impossibly narrow, rain-slicked country roads through both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. These tight and serpentine stages take drivers through the Sligo Mountains and Fermanagh Lakelands where, in places, the narrow roads are little more than the width of a car.

RALLY NORWAY
Sunday, October 11 from 8-9 PM ET
As an all-snow event, RALLY NORWAY is a technical challenge for drivers, who must account for the snow and ice using steel-spiked tires. Roadside snow-banks offer a cushion for the lack of grip, but may be as dangerous as they are helpful. Hamar, Norway is home for this rally, which runs through the same mountains as the 1994 Winter Olympic Games in nearby Lillehammer.

FXPRO CYPRUS RALLY
Sunday, October 18 from 8-9 PM ET
Based on the south side of Cyprus, this mixed-surface rally combines asphalt and gravel stages to crown the FxPro CYPRUS RALLY champion. The Troodos Mountains challenge drivers as they take on the twists and turns of mountain roads and gravel paths during the three days of action.

VODAFONE RALLY DE PORTUGAL
Sunday, October 25 from 8-9 PM ET
Portugal’s long rallying tradition is on display during the Vodafone RALLY DE PORTUGAL, a gravel event that is widely considered one of the most notorious and difficult rallies on the schedule. Both the Algarve and Alentejo regions host stages in Southern Portugal, as this event attracts some of the largest and most unruly crowds within the series.

RALLY ARGENTINA
Sunday, November 1 from 8-9 PM ET
With the series’ first trip outside of Europe, RALLY ARGENTINA is held in the area around Villa Carlos Paz in the heart of the Cordobese Sierras on narrow, sloped roads best known for their spectacular water splashes. The high-speed action takes place across open plains featuring sandy river crossings and high-altitude landscapes that resemble the surface of the moon.

RALLY D’ITALIA SARDEGNA
Sunday, November 8 from 8-9 PM ET
Sardinia is now home to the RALLY D’ITALIA, where the stages are made up of fine and sandy gravel that is surprisingly fast, given the course’s tight and narrow nature. The stunning landscape for the opening two days of the rally crosses Olbia-Tempio, Nuoro, Sassari and Goceano before the competition heads north to the opulent Costa Smerelda region.

ACROPOLIS RALLY OF GREECE
Sunday, November 15 from 8-9 PM ET
As one of the longest-standing events in world rallying, ACROPOLIS RALLY OF GREECE is a mix of rough, curvy mountain stages with blistering heat and choking dust. The undersides of the car take a pounding from the rocks hurled up by the wheels, and tire wear is an especially big issue for teams to overcome at this event.

ORLEN RALLY POLAND
Sunday, November 22 from 8-9 PM ET
After not being included in the WRC for over 35 years, Poland’s most prestigious motorsport event celebrates its 66th anniversary with a return to the top level of rallying. The Mazurian Lakes District provides an exceptional backdrop to these spectacular gravel stages, where the WRC regular drivers are challenged by experienced Polish drivers racing in their backyard.

NESTE OIL RALLY FINLAND
Sunday, November 29 from 8-9 PM ET
As one of the biggest annual events in Scandinavia with over 500,000 spectators, Neste Oil RALLY FINLAND features high-speed runs along tree-lined tracks, peppered with high-flying jumps that demand absolute commitment. Located in central Finland, this rally requires efficient technique to cope with the high speeds and mammoth jumps that litter the loose-surfaced gravel stages.

REPCO RALLY AUSTRALIA
Sunday, December 6 from 8-9 PM ET
WRC heads down under to the new base of Repco RALLY AUSTRALIA in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. The hard-packed gravel stages located in the Kyogle, Murwillumbah and Mullumbimby regions will be a new and unfamiliar challenge compared to the rally’s historic stages on red earth and ball-bearing-like gravel roads near Perth.

RACC RALLYE DE ESPAÑA
Sunday, December 13 from 8-9 PM ET
Providing some of the fastest stages of the series, the sweeping asphalt roads of the Tarragona region southwest of Barcelona play home to the RACC RALLYE DE ESPAÑA. As the penultimate round of the WRC series, this rally plays a critical role in the overall championship with only one event left in the schedule.

RALLY GB
Sunday, December 20 from 8-9 PM ET
As the final rally of the season, RALLY GB is one of the oldest rallies in the world and is hosted in Cardiff, Wales. This spectator-friendly event runs through gravel forest roads that often become wet and slippery. The event also features stages on the exposed military land to the north of Brecon, which is prone to fog that can wreak havoc on drivers’ ability to navigate turns.

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP programming is produced by International Sportsworld Communicators Ltd - A North One Television Company. For HD Theater, Sean McKnight is executive producer, Bob Scanlon is vice president of production and development, and Clark Bunting is president and general manager.

About FIA World Rally Championship:
In 2008, WRC was covered by 188 countries via 228 broadcasters, with a total audience of over 633 million plus 12 million visitors to wrc.com. 2009 will see a total of 12 rallies staged across the world in Ireland, Norway, Cyprus, Portugal, Argentina, Italy, Greece, Poland, Finland, Australia, Spain and Great Britain. For more information please visit http://www.wrc.com.

About HD Theater:
The first 24-hour high-definition network in the U.S. to broadcast all of its content in brilliant 1080i and 5.1 digital surround sound, HD Theater offers compelling real-world and motorized content from a wide range of categories including adventure, technology, nature and world culture – all designed to provide viewers with the highest-quality television experience available. As one of the most widely-distributed high-definition networks available in the U.S., HD Theater brings its programming to life in a kaleidoscope of dazzling color, sound and sights.

[tmx]

I hope their coverage will be half better than their Engineering the World Rally series.

[gloomyDAY]

I hope it's good.....

[Gillfoto]

Alaskan just gets WRC 2010 on HD theater

Hi anyone in USA watching TV Discovery's 'HD Theater' broadcasts. I was looking for listings and broadcast times; I know it's not live and has to be edited any ideas on how many days after rally one has to wait?

[DeltaS4]

HD Theater hasn't shown any WRC broadcasts since the Rally Jordan recaps in early May.
The only WRC promo they run these days says to watch on March 21, and here it is almost June. I'm hoping that they haven't decided to drop it altogether.

[rv65]

WRC hasn't been canceled on HDTheater.

They are going to show Rallye Portugal this weekend. Might want to fire up your recording device to HDTheater if you can watch it. You can also set up season passes so that it can automatically be recorded to your DVR, which will help you keep track of when it's going to be on.

6.12 Rally Portugal Event Preview 9:00 AM ET/6:00 AM PT
6.12 Rally Portugal Day 1 9:30 AM ET/6:30 AM PT
6.12 Rally Portugal Day 2 10:00 AM ET/7:00 AM PT
6.12 Rally Portugal Day 3 10:30 AM ET/7:30 AM PT
6.13 Rally Portugal Event Highlights show 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT and 1:00 AM ET/10:00 PM PT
6.14 Rally Portugal Event Highlights 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT

Enjoy!

[rv65]

HDTheater did show Rally New Zealand.