The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series broadcast schedule has undergone a significant transformation with the introduction of a new media rights deal, leading to changes in how and where fans can watch races.
Key Takeaways:
1. Fox’s Decreased Role
Fox’s portion of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule has been reduced from 18 races (16 points races) to 14 races (12 points races).
Out of those, only five races air on the main Fox network, while the other nine are shown on Fox Sports 1 (FS1).
2. Fox Sports 1 Taking Over for Six Races
With the conclusion of the Circuit of the Americas race, Fox has already aired four of its five scheduled races.
The next six consecutive races (starting with Phoenix on March 9) will be broadcast exclusively on FS1 before Fox returns for Talladega on April 27.
3. New Broadcast Partners
Amazon Prime Video enters the mix, airing five races beginning with the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25.
TNT Sports will also air five races, specifically the five races of NASCAR’s new in-season tournament, starting June 29 at Atlanta.
4. NBC Also Scaling Back
NBC’s coverage has been reduced from 20 races to 14, with only four races airing on NBC itself and the other 10 on USA Network.
With four of the nine races on Fox/NBC already completed, much of the remaining season will be spread across FS1, USA Network, Prime Video, and TNT.
Implications for Fans
More channels and streaming services mean fans must be flexible in how they watch races.
FS1 is now a critical channel for NASCAR fans during the first half of the season.
The shift to Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports represents a major change, introducing streaming into the mix for the first time.
The in-season tournament on TNT Sports will be an experiment, potentially impacting competition and viewership trends.
Conclusion
The NASCAR Cup Series’ media landscape is more fragmented than ever, requiring fans to track multiple networks and streaming platforms. While FS1 dominates coverage for the next two months, the introduction of Amazon and TNT will shake up how and where fans engage with the sport. The question remains: will these changes boost viewership, or will the divided schedule make it harder for casual fans to keep up?
