More Reasons Robin is Wrong about Versus

We appreciate the data cited by Robin Miller in his recent column on SpeedTV.com. Some numbers were new to us. Others confirmed our own.

In fairness to Versus, a television partner that has followed through on its commitments to the IndyCar Series, we believe that some additional numbers should be cited. Citizens will recognize a few, but new data are included.

• 2008 Oregon vs. Oregon State football game on Versus drew 1.6 million viewers
• 2008 Stanley Cup Game #2 on Versus drew 2.3 million viewers
  

So it would seem that Versus can draw an audience. However, it does require programming that U.S. television viewers actually want to see.

Incidentally, this information is the product of a cursory Google search. It is not difficult to find.

• 2009 Tour De France increased 98% year-over-year to 527,000 viewers on Versus (daily 8:30-9:00AM)

The reason was the return of Lance Armstrong, riding near the front of the running order. United States television viewers have spoken clearly. The guy on the bike makes a difference.

So, too, we would think, do the drivers in the cars.

How many viewers do you think an IndyCar race would attract on a weekday at 8:30 in the morning?

We suspect that when the ratings are released for this weekend's Texas-Wyoming football game on Versus (sans DirecTV), IndyCar will have even more reason for embarrassment. But that is belaboring the point.

Although insiders might not want to admit it, IndyCar's problems, though difficult to resolve, are easy to identify. The television partner is not one of them.

There is a reason that Tim Cindric is practically begging NASCAR drivers to participate in the Indianapolis 500 next year. Could it be that ESPN and ABC might want to opt-out of their yearly 5-race schedule early? Might Phillip Morris USA be teetering? Will there be 33 starters next year without NASCAR money?

Quit blaming the television partner and give consumers what they want. This is the way business works; the IRL and its teams are not entitled to exemptions.

Some products simply can not be sold at a cost that is cheap enough and to a market that is large enough to justify their existence. The IndyCar Series in its present composition is one of them.

Roggespierre