Roger Penske’s Comments On The Traditional TV Broadcasting Of The Indy 500 Draws Interest

Roger Penske’s Comments On The Traditional TV Broadcasting Of The Indy 500 Draws Interest

By HERB ANASTOR
The Federal Communications Commission is currently investigating the movement of live sports to streaming services because these deals and packages threaten to harm consumers with high costs, undermine local broadcast television and may violate the public interest.
And the regulators are concerned that requiring fans to pay for these multiple and expensive subscriptions disrupts access to sports, prompting a review of how these moves align with federal law.
In terms of its investigation, the FCC has noted it could cost fans over $1,500 per season to watch all games across various platforms and that nearly 98% of public comments submitted to the FCC expressed frustration with this trend.
But this situation is not only affecting the fans as moving games behind these paywalls hurts the ability of local television stations to thrive, which in turn hurts local news and community reporting.
All of this, of course, involves legal questions and a primary one is whether or not the sports leagues are widening the legal protections they were given under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1960; Public Law 87-331 which allows them to pool their television rights and sell them as a single package to networks, exempting them from antitrust laws.
This is the situation now being used in streaming platforms as opposed to the use of free, over-the-air TV broadcasts or on traditional cable TV.  And because of this, the FCC and Justice Department are examining the trend toward exclusive, fee-based streaming packages.
Although this investigation primarily relates to what the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association and National Hockey League are doing, this type of thing has also found its way into Auto Racing as the only way Formula 1 Racing can be viewed in this country as a live telecast for the next five years (2026-2030) is through a paid subscription to Apple TV, the sole, comprehensive home for all live practice, qualifying and Grand Prix sessions.
So, with all of this background, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NTT INDYCAR SERIES owner Roger Penske made his feelings known recently about this topic in a letter to the FCC.
However, before we see what that was all about, it should be remembered that when the Indy 500 and other INDYCAR Races were on NBC (2019-2024), some of that programming was seen on “Peacock,” NBC’s pay-extra streaming service. But since FOX began its coverage in 2025, its broadcast of all INDYCAR Racing activities have been telecast on traditional television’s over-the-air channels.
As for Penske’s letter, it was written on Friday April 10 and submitted to the FCC’s Brendan Carr as a result of the Chairman’s interest in public comments. And in that communication Penske stated:
“I have watched and listened closely to several of your recent interviews and public speeches, in which you wisely connect the availability of professional sports on broadcast television to the societal benefits. These benefits are derived from local TV stations’ ability to serve viewers with increased local news, public service information, and charitable endeavors – enriching local communities across America. I could not agree more.
“As the proud owner of the NTT IndyCar series, I have seen first-hand what broadcast television can do for a sport. Last year, Penske Entertainment and FOX partnered to bring the entire IndyCar series to viewers across America – with every race airing on the FOX Broadcast Network. The result was undisputed. Ratings were up double digits with the Indianapolis 500 drawing more than 7 million viewers – a 41% jump and the most-watched Indy 500 since 2008. Through the first three races of the 2026 series, viewership has climbed an additional 48%.
“There is no question that the reach of broadcast TV remains unparalleled for sports viewers. But that reach has societal benefits as well. In addition to the public service contributions that we provide at Penske and IndyCar, our broadcast partners at FOX also support charitable initiatives that coincide with the cities that we race in.
“In 2025 for example, FOX worked with the national nonprofit partner Purple Heart Homes to renovate and restore the homes – and lives – of U.S. military veterans in Indianapolis ahead of the network’s inaugural coverage of the Indy 500. The initiative resulted in four veterans receiving personalized home renovations.
“Of course, 2026 is an especially unique year as IndyCar will bring a first-of-its-kind street race to our nation’s capital – the Freedom 250 Grand Prix – a once-in-a-generation event celebrating America’s 250th birthday. This event will be completely free for the public to attend while raising funds for local D.C. charities. Importantly, the race will be available to watch on free, over-the-air broadcast TV through FOX.
“The IndyCar Series is a definitive case study in the power of broadcasting. Recent viewership data from the 2025 and 2026 seasons provides undisputed evidence that moving sports from fragmented cable and streaming models to a broadcast-first approach creates unparalleled audience growth and unparalleled access much to the delight of viewers.
“The data is clear: sports thrive on broadcast television. Protecting this ecosystem is essential for the fans, sports teams, and the local communities that depend on the strength of their local broadcast stations. I commend you for your efforts.”
As a result of this letter, it is easy to see that Penske believes in the power of traditional, accessible television for building a stronger, broader audience. And it was refreshing to see this position taken by someone who is interested in his sport being presented to its audience in the most-favorable light.
The comments, too, on social media regarding Penske’s position were also supportive, with industry analysts noting the letter was “a positive, data-backed stance on the necessity of ‘free-to-air’ content for sports;” a view also endorsed by FCC Chairman Carr.
And the general feeling is that there is an acknowledged value to having the Indianapolis 500 remaining on broadcast networks.
Editor’s Note: This past weekend was a perfect example of what Roger Penske was talking about in his letter. The Indianapolis 500 was available to viewers nationwide on FOX Sunday afternoon, while the other two major racing events were hidden behind paid streaming service walls, limiting their reach.
The Formula One race aired on Apple TV+ and Netflix in North America, while NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 Cup Series event was carried on Amazon Prime to subscribers only.
On a rain-plagued holiday weekend, short-track race fans and racers in the northeast looking for something to watch on televsion likely tuned in to watch the Indy 500 which was easily accessible on network television at no extra charge. The FOX result is expected to produce massive ratings for the event and IndyCar racing in general, enhanced even more by one of the greatest finishes in the event’s history — the closest finish ever recorded in the Indianapolis 500.
History shows how powerful moments like Sunday can be for a racing series. On February 18, 1979, CBS aired the first live, flag-to-flag broadcast of the Daytona 500 across the country. Prior to that event, racing events were shown on a delay based or blacked out in local markets.
A blizzard across the Northeast kept millions indoors watching television that weekend 47 years ago, and race fans or those just looking for something to watch,  were treated to an unforgettable finish as Richard Petty avoided a last-lap crash involving Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison to win the race.
The now-famous post-race fight involving Yarborough and the Allison brothers only added to the attention of NASCAR, helping the Cup series explode in popularity nationwide in the years that followed.
Sunday’s Indy 500 had many of the same ingredients — wide accessibility, dramatic racing, and a memorable finish — all of which could pay major dividends for IndyCar and the future of the event.

Editor Note: This past weekend was a great example of what Penske wrote about. The Indy 500 was available to viewers across the country on Sunday on FOX. The other two national events, however, were on paid streaming services which limits it’s viewers. The Formula One event could only be found on Apple-TV, NASCAR’s Coke 600 Cup Series race on Amazon Prime.
On a rain plaqued weekend with race fans and racers looking for something to watch on Sunday, the Indy 500 rating is expected to be off the charts and the excellent racing and closest finish in event history will go a long way in growing further interest in the series.
One only needs to look back in history to see how Sunday will favor the IndyCar series and future 500 broadcasts. On February 18, 1979, CBS broadcasted the first live flag-to-flag coverage of a 500-mile NASCAR race with the Daytona 500. Thanks to a blizzard in the northeast that kept people inside and a not forgotten finish of Richard Petty avoiding an incident between Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison on the last lap to win the race the Cup series grew in leaps in bounds afterwards. An infield fight after the race with Donnie Allison and brother Bobby facing off with Yarbrough, further helped the NASCAR Cup series gain world-wide attention.