Bristol sports programmer ESPN and sister broadcast network ABC extended their television agreement with the Indianapolis 500 through 2018, furthering one of the longest relationships between a network and a sporting event, officials say.
The 500-mile open-wheel auto race has aired on ABC for the past 47 years, including as a tape-delay event on “Wide World of Sports” and later as a live telecast starting in 1986.
ESPN on ABC say they will continue to broadcast the event over Memorial Day weekend for the next six years, including the 100th running of the event in 2016.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Starting in 2012, the ESPN coverage will including live streaming of the event on ESPN3.com, the sports network’s online broadband programmer.
