ESPN announced Tuesday their coverage of the final 10 races of the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup will feature split-screen commercials that will begin “at or near the halfway point of the race.”
ESPN Chase Races To Have Split-Screen Commercials
Debuting on Sept. 18 during the broadcast of the first Chase race at Chicagoland Speedway, the new “NASCAR NonStop” will show commercials on the left side of the screen, with live action continuing on the right and ESPN’s race tracker scrolling across the top of the screen.
Only days after FOX utilized a split-screen for their final commercial break during the Dover broadcast, ESPN’s move is one that has been in development for some time. Understanding the frustration of many fans, ESPN executive vice president John Skipper said the network worked with advertisers and NASCAR to make this happen.
“Since we returned to NASCAR racing in 2007, one of the most common questions from our fans has been ‘Why don’t you do the commercials side-by-side?’” Skipper said. “We’re very pleased to be able to do it now with NASCAR NonStop and showcase the advertiser while still showcasing the race. ESPN’s mission is to serve sports fans and this is a way to give the fans more racing action during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.”
NASCAR TV exec Paul Brooks praised the move, saying the “NonStop” format “will ensure our fans maximize their viewing experience during the most intense and thrilling time of the season – the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.”
During NASCAR NonStop, the first half of the Chase races will be shown with traditional commercial breaks that cut away from the action. However, the NASCAR NonStop is yet another step in the right direction for fans watching at home.
Check out a video sample of what NonStop will look like:
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