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Nascar has backtracked on plans to offer the full Xfinity Series season to a streamer, according to Sports Business Journal (SBJ).
(Un)confirmed:
- Package is likely to go to a single media company, with coverage split between linear and digital platforms
- Fox and NBC are close to agreeing a renewal of their media rights deal for the top-tier Cup Series, although a price has not been agreed
- Amazon continues to look most likely to a receive a mid-season package of races, but talks are progressing slowly
Context: Such is the fluid world of broadcast rights, Nascar has turned heel on an exclusive streaming rights deal for its second-tier Xfinity Series after it appeared a certainty less than a month ago. Amazon appears to still be in pole position to receive the mid-season package of races, similar to the six-race package carried by the Warner Bros-owned TNT until 2014.
Coming next: According to SBJ, Amazon has high hopes of landing a broadcast package with the National Basketball Association (NBA) when that deal is up for renewal after the 2024/25 season, something that may cause a hitch in negotiations since the company began focusing on cost-cutting measures, including around 27,000 staff layoffs since November 2022.