ABC's coverage of the Indy 500

Me | 5/28/2006 | rikkir

[rikkir]

I'm not much for vanities, so please forgive me this one. Why isn't ABC showing the Indy 500 in Hi Def? Did they have technical difficulties, or did someone at ABC sports decide it wasn't important enough? I personally couldn't care less who wins Indy, my style of racing starts this afternoon at 5pm, but I thought it would be cool to watch Indy in Hi Def. After listening to the media pundits imply that Indy is so much more sophisticated than NASCAR, you would think they would spend the money to broadcast it at the highest level possible. Almost all NASCAR races are shown in Hi Def. Oh well, just another reason for me not to watch Indy. I am a little disappointed as ABC has close to the best Hi Def broadcasts (very clean with little blocking and staggering), and I hope this isn't the way they're going to show NASCAR when they get the contract next year. Some how I get the feeling it is. I imagine they'll show us fans the same respect NBC has...NONE.

[rikkir]

I know this isn't our normal fare of discussions here at FR. Just something off topic for a holiday weekend, and I didn't see any Indy 500 threads going, although I didn't do a search either(I know search is our friend). My apologies if this interferes with someone elses Indy 500 thread.

[NCC-1701]

I don't have a problem with this thread. FR has a sports section so any sports related thread is welcome. There have been many sports threads already here. This is no different. Besides, it's a welcome relief from the Jolie-Pitt immorality and discussions about the dimoCRACKS. Start your keyboards. Let the comments flow.

[TexasCajun]

I do like the side-by-side commercials w/ track feed.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Hi Def? What's that? Hehe. My home will be one of the last to enjoy such technology, much as decades ago my home was one of the last to get a color TV. I bet it is fun to watch, and look forward to the day I can enjoy some - whether it's Indy or NASCAR, i.e. racist to the core.

[TexasCajun]

From what little I'm watching, all I've seen from ABC is Danica Patrick, Danica Patrick and more Danica Patrick.

And can't really decide if that's a bad thing or not?

[rikkir]

I was suprised someone didn't have an Indy 500 thread started already. I guess anyone who cares enough to start one is at the race.
I'd still like to know why ABC isn't showing it in Hi Def. I sent them an email asking the same question.

[rikkir]

Yeah they have been a little fixated on her. I'm with you though, I don't if that's bad. At least she doesn't look like Bobby Unser, or Benny Parsons.

[rikkir]

"I don't if that's bad."

I don't KNOW if that's bad. Brain faster than fingers. Or is that vice versa?

[NCC-1701]

There's a thread going on here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1635589/posts#49

[RayChuang88]

The reason why ABC isn't using hi-def at the Indy 500 is simple: much of the equipment is being used to process hi-def broadcasts for the world feed of all the soccer World Cup games from June 9 to July 9, 2006. Remember, ABC Sports is essentially the over-air broadcast division of ESPN, and ESPN is doing hi-def broadcasts of all World Cup games on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.

[rikkir]

OK, that makes sense. Wow, you would sure think they would have enough to cover everything. Besides, between world cup soccer, and Indy, I'll bet a lot more Americans watch Indy, and I would venture we have more Hi Def sets than the rest of the world.
But then again as far as ABC, and the rest of the media are concerned, America comes second.
JMHO