More from Poole:
Instead of shrinking the screen to make room for commercials, TNT has decided to reshape the screen.
High-definition television screens are wider than they are tall, whereas non-HD sets are primarily square. Letter boxing is used to get a wide-screen effect onto a regular set -- the way some tapes or DVDs are shown with blank areas at the top and bottom.
TNT will use that technique, but push the image to the top of the screen and leave the vacant space at the bottom.
This area will be used for in-race elements such as the scoring ticker that normally runs across the top of the screen, as well as other elements of telemetry. It also will be used to carry advertising -- for instance, a logo might be in the bottom left of the screen for several minutes at a time. The split box on the right will pop up to carry commercials or other content, such as a driver talking about his sponsor if that sponsor also happens to be one of the 12 or so signed up for a telecast.
The difference, said Jeff Behnke, executive producer of Turner Sports, is that even while sponsored content is being aired, the race will remain in the main box. Mike Wells, the director who will work TNT's races, will use the same cameras he'll be using while booth announcers Bill Weber, Wally Dallenbach and Kyle Petty are on air.
I think I can live with TNT's proposal as long as they don't get too obnoxious with the stuff at the bottom of the screen. I suppose they could run ads 100% at the bottom with no race audio...just turn on MRN and off we go!
CAUTIONS TODAY? - Pre-Caution Poole: 18 and a RED Flag, GWC finish??? Throw everything in for cautions today? Gloves, padding, helmets, water bottles...