The seven races on CBS Sports and NBC are the most to be shown on network television since the 2002 season.
“There is no question that Champ Car has made great strides in the last 12 months and we believe that the continued growth is evident in our 2006 television package,” said Champ Car president Steve Johnson.
“Our network broadcasts showed steady increases in 2005 and we expect that trend to continue next season as we build our relationship with our valued television partners.”
The television schedule begins with network coverage of the season-opening Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 9, on NBC. The network will also cover one of the new events, the Grand Prix of San Jose on July 30, as well as Montreal on August 27.
Once again, CBS Sports will broadcast four consecutive races live in the months of June and July airing Portland, Cleveland and Toronto. With large crowds at last year’s premiere event, the Grand Prix of Edmonton will now debut on the network on July 23.
The SPEED Channel broadcasts, starting May 13 with the inaugural Champ Car Grand Prix of Houston, will be preceded by a 30-minute qualifying show to air the evening prior to the race.
The package, which provides an overall increase in the hours of coverage, will include a one-hour pre-season special plus the development of a ‘lifestyle’ programme.
Also new for 2006, SPEED will re-air each of the 15 races on the schedule.
