The Indianapolis 500 will remain on ABC through 2018 as part of a new, six-year rights agreement that was announced Wednesday.
As part of the agreement, ESPN on ABC will continue to televise four additional races in addition to the Indianapolis 500. Starting next year, ESPN3.com will live stream ABC’s onboard cameras during the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series.
“The Indianapolis 500 and ABC have been together since 1965 and we are very proud to extend the relationship with this new agreement,” said George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN and ABC Sports. “The 500 is a uniquely American event and a Memorial Day tradition, and we especially look forward to televising the 100th edition of the race in 2016.”
“We value our partnership with ABC and ESPN and are pleased that the relationship will continue into the future,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and CEO. “Along with a vast understanding of the Indianapolis 500 and the sport of IndyCar racing, ESPN’s production team continues to seek out innovative ways to televise our sport. As broadcast technology advances and opportunities arise to implement new technology, we can count on ESPN to bring the best quality production to our viewers.”