“WTF You Mean”: Fans Fume over NASCAR Demanding Money for Driver’s Racing POV
NASCAR Cup Series broadcasting just won’t be the same after the new TV deal kicks off for the 2025 season. It is exciting to bring in new partners like WB and Amazon Prime Video, but eventually, the cost of multiple subscriptions is going to fall on viewers’ heads. It’s as if NASCAR is trying to force viewers to shell out more money just to watch the races. Adding to this unpopular trend, in-car camera streaming is also moving away from the NASCAR app, and fans are not happy about this new update.
The mega $7.7 million TV deal with Warner Brother, TNT, and Amazon Prime Video is slowly starting to spread its wings and influence over the broadcasting of NASCAR races. A recent announcement by Bob Pockrass confirmed that the in-car camera streams during the race will now be available on the Max streaming service from 2025 onwards.
“For those who have been watching the in-car streams from NASCAR’s website, this was announced today by Warner Brothers Discovery: Max streaming service will have exclusive full-season live coverage of in-car cameras from all the NASCAR Cup Series races starting in 2025.” Pockrass shared via X.
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The in-car camera streams were started in 2022, giving the fans a first-person perspective of the race inside the driver’s cockpit. This, paired up with NASCAR’s scanner product, made for a top-notch viewing experience for the fan, away from the traditional broadcasting of FOX. But, it won’t be available on the NASCAR app from 2025 as the new TV partners have now taken command of the service by signing an exclusive deal with NASCAR.
For those who have been watching the in-car streams from NASCAR’s website, this was announced today by Warner Brothers Discovery: Max streaming service will have exclusive full season live coverage of in-car cameras from all the NASCAR Cup Series races starting in 2025
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 15, 2024
It’s fair to say that the ones who subscribed to the feature weren’t thrilled about it moving to WB, as they would now pay the additional charge for streaming service. Many even took to social media to share their discontent over this change.
Fans react to in-car camera streams moving away from the NASCAR appIt’s difficult to know the motive behind NASCAR’s move to spread its races across so many different platforms. Not to forget, fans will have to chip in extra to watch the practice and qualifying, which are shared by both Amazon and WB. Also, there are those fans who have a monthly subscription just to stream the in-car camera during the live races.
Fuming over this new move by NASCAR, a couple of fans wrote, “I pay monthly for the app wtf you mean”. “Is nascar on a mission to spread their shit across as many platforms as possible?”
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One of the major reasons why fans subscribed to in-car camera streaming was to avoid the painstaking commercials that pop up every 10 laps or so. However, it feels like, despite paying a premium, the viewers will have to deal with untimely and frustrating commercial breaks on the Max streaming service.
“I already pay for the app just to watch the in car camera. I use the app during commercial breaks. Now there will probably be commercials on this streaming service and I have to pay something else. Keep it on the app as well.” A fan wrote in reply.
One user even predicted the future of NASCAR broadcasting and how it would leave a dent in the wallets of the viewers. “BREAKING NEWS: Starting in 2026 Stage 1 will be available on Peacock, Stage 2 will be streamed on Amazon Prime, Stage 3 will be on Fox. Pre race ceremonies will be on Discovery+ and Post race interviews will be on YouTube TV. Bundle all of these for the low price of $47.99 a week”.
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Frustrated with this update, a fan was even open to the idea of enjoying the NASCAR race via illegal streams online. “So. We have 8 different channels and 6 different streaming services. Great. Got it. …. Can we have a cheat sheet on where to find everything next year. This is insane”.
If we are to calculate an average monthly fee for watching NASCAR races from 2025 onwards, it comes to somewhere around $63 per month. If you are to add the qualifying and practice sessions, make it a $100 charge. The in-car camera streams were perhaps seen as the saving grace to avoid paying hefty charges, but it seems like the new broadcasters have taken away that sole option from the fans.
