{"id":4091,"date":"2022-01-26T20:02:32","date_gmt":"2022-01-26T20:02:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sundaymanagement.com\/?p=4091"},"modified":"2022-01-26T20:53:31","modified_gmt":"2022-01-26T20:53:31","slug":"get-to-know-usa-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sundaymanagement.com\/index.php\/2022\/01\/26\/get-to-know-usa-network\/","title":{"rendered":"Get to Know: USA Network"},"content":{"rendered":"

IMSA and INDYCAR audience\u2019s newest viewing option happens to be one of the largest cable stations in the U.S.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (27 January 2022) \u2013 Through the years, race fans have navigated a consistently evolving landscape to be able to tune in to their favorite sport. And at the same time, the sport has worked to get their on-air product to the biggest audience possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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And 2022 will bring a few changes\u2014and a new name\u2014into the game as USA Network will carry select events for both IMSA and INDYCAR.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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IMSA\u2019a television package for 2022 will include more than 80 hours of WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Michelin Pilot Challenge and Prototype Challenge action across three outlets \u2013 NBC, USA Network and Peacock. IndyCar will also see significant broadcast coverage on NBC, paired with outings on Peacock as well as USA Network.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The 2022 season launches in a big way this weekend with the Rolex 24 primo live time on NBC, with USA Network carrying the broadcast load through the overnight (the entire event is also live on Peacock\u2026and no one will blame you for sneaking over to check out supercross at Anaheim, which is also on Peacock).<\/span><\/p>\n

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But exactly what is the USA Network?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A basic cable channel owned by Comcast Corporation\u2019s NBCUniversal, USA originally launched as Madison Square Garden Sports Network in 1977 (<\/span>note: it is a different station than the MSG network in NYC<\/span><\/i>). Re-launched as USA in 1980, the network is one of the \u201cBig Four\u201d national cable stations, along with TBS, TNT and FX. Commercially available to over 90 million US households, USA is available to 98% of homes with pay television.<\/span><\/p>\n

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One of the first stations to move from microwave relay to satellite, the network began by broadcasting sporting events from, appropriately, Madison Square Garden, before adding college and regional sports. When the network branched out to children\u2019s programming, the name was changed to USA. In the mid-80s, the network began shifting away from sports, giving a home to general entertainment programs that were not shown on broadcast stations. The network has increased its focus on reality programs and live programming over the past several years, opening the door for a return to its original sporting lineup.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Known for its wide range of programing, from WWE Monday Night Raw to the recent Nash Bridges reunion (with Don Johnson and Cheech Marin), USA will take over much of the heavy sports lifting that was formerly handled by NBC Sports, which closed its cable doors on December 31.\u00a0 USA kicked off its new programming on January 1, with a Premier League triple header.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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NASCAR, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the National Hockey League, horse racing and the Olympics have all announced moves to USA beginning in 2022. With the combination of live sports programming, original series and broadcast reruns, USA Network is expected to regain its position as a cable broadcast giant.<\/span><\/p>\n

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IMSA takes the lead on USA\u2019s motorsports coverage in January, with the legendary Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The entire 24-hour race will broadcast live across all three outlets \u2013 NBC, Peacock and USA. IMSA\u2019s remaining endurance races will be broadcast across a combination of USA and Peacock (as will the Lime Rock and Road America weekends), while the sprint races will be <\/span>split between the three outlets.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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So grab some popcorn and get ready for a busy season of racing, and keep an eye out for those listings on USA\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Rolex 24 At Daytona Broadcast:<\/span><\/p>\n