Posted by av2 on August 11, 2009 at 10:57:19:
The 2 most recent NASCAR Sprint Cup races were postponed for 1 day because of rain. The races were 1 week ago at Pocono, Pennsylvania (Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500) and today at Watkins Glen, New York (Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips an the Glen). Each race was rescheduled for the next day, on Monday.
Some 'genious' at US99 decided to relegate the Sprint Cup races to WUSN-HD3. I wasn't effected because I already own an HD radio. But for all of the fans who don't own one, you are screwed! It should be all or nothing: put all of the races on the main station, or none of 'em! Better yet, move the broadcast rights to another station that will carry all of the races!
I guess the weekday bombardment of 30 minutes of commercials per hour is more important to the management of US99 than airing races which they are committed to air. I have to ask this question to US99: Are you the NASCAR Sprint Cup affiliate for Chicago or aren't you???
NASCAR coverage on US99 has been a joke ever since it started a few years ago. They begin races after the broadcasts have started. They cut away from post races intevrviews before the broadcast has finished. Most importantly, US99 cuts-away from national spots during races that they are required to air. I know this for a FACT, and I am not referring to the optional commercial breaks where the network has provided spots to use if the local station has unsold inventory.
The Chicago area would be better off with NASCAR races on another station. Next Media (owner of WJOL Joliet and WKRS Waukegan), used to be the Chicago affiliate never would have blown-off make-up races on Mondays.
Another thing, since both the Pocono at Watkins Glen races were on cable television only, US99 could have had the FREE broadcast exclusive for the Chicago market, but they blew it!