SPEED Channel was launched on New Year's Day 1996 as SpeedVision. The network is primarily devoted to things that have four (or two) wheels, a motor, and moves fast. Or it can just have 4 wheels and move fast. Programming on the network includes live Formula 1 racing, NASCAR-related shows, how-to programming, antique car shows , not-as-popular racing series, a weekly news show, call-in shows, and even reality shows. Bobsledding, luge, and skeleton events are shown during the Winter months. The network is also the exclusive United States broadcaster of the 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and formerly the Dakar Rally until losing the rights to that event to the Outdoor Life Network for 2005.
In February 2002, SpeedVision became known as SPEED Channel after being bought by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Since News Corp.'s FOX Network had a year-old relationship as a NASCAR broadcaster, many NASCAR shows began airing on SPEED Channel, a move that was unpopular with many of the network's viewers, who were pleased with a network that was more devoted to racing series that aren't as popular in America as NASCAR is. Showing reality programming was also an unpopular move with viewers. Nonetheless, the programming has remained on the network.
In its nearly three-year existence under its new name, SPEED has made an effort to show more live races. In 2002 and 2003, SPEED, along with CBS, was one of America's two networks showing Champ Car racing. SPEED lost the Champ Car rights to Spike TV in 2004, but in 2005, will get them back and air 8 races, alongside CBS and NBC, who will broadcast 6 races combined, with 4 on CBS and 2 on NBC. In February 2003, SPEED also began showing live NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racing. In fact, the network's coverage of the Truck Series' Florida Dodge Dealers 250 for February 18, 2005 scored a Nielsen rating of 2.1, the highest-rated program the network has ever had. Another SPEED staple is WindTunnel with Dave Despain, a live call-in show that has been on the network since February 2003.
Since its inception in 1996, there has been a racing series named after the network-the SPEED World Challenge, formerly named, not surprisingly, the SpeedVision World Challenge. SPEED also runs a very short segment during its commercial breaks, titled, "My First Car", in which celebrities like Ron Howard, Pierce Brosnan, and George Lucas (who has a great love for Fiat) and SPEED Channel viewers talk about the first set of wheels they ever drove.
List of SPEED Channel Programs
Racing Series SPEED Channel Broadcasts
Specials Broadcast by SPEED Channel
Former SPEED Channel Programs
SPEED Channel On-Air Personalities
External Links
SPEED Channel website
A fair warning to those who click on this. If you use dial-up, you will never get into the site. It was changed a few weeks ago, and only a lucky few have managed to get in. There is presently no alternative way to view this site.
