SPEED to be rebranded as Fox Sports 1

SPEED to be rebranded as Fox Sports 1 UPDATE: FOX Sports Media Group officially unveiled plans to launch a new, national, multi-sport network called FOX Sports 1. The announcement was made by FSMG Co-Presidents and COOs Randy Freer and Eric Shanks. Set to debut on Saturday, Aug. 17, just as FOX Sports kicks-off its 20th anniversary year, FS1 is available in over 90 million homes, making this the biggest sports cable network launch in history, and one of the largest network launches ever. At the outset, FS1 boasts nearly 5,000 hours of live event, news and original programming annually. A robust schedule of live events forms the backbone of FOX Sports 1's programming from Day 1, with college basketball, college football, NASCAR, soccer and UFC all on tap between launch and year's end. In fact, the schedule on Aug. 17 features live events morning, noon and night including a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race from Michigan and "UFC on FS1 1" in prime time. In 2014, FSMG's new rights agreement with MLB takes effect, bringing regular and postseason games to FS1.
NASCAR programming will include: Select NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races as soon as 2015; NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races; NASCAR Sprint All-Star race; all SpeedWeeks events leading up to the Daytona 500 including: Daytona 500 Qualifying, Sprint Unlimited at Daytona (2014, 2017-22) and the Budweiser Duel, now in prime time; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NCWTS Practice and Qualifying sessions; NASCAR RaceDay, providing pre- and post-race coverage; NASCAR Victory Lane, a weekly wrap-up show; and Race Hub, a daily mid-day studio show with the latest from drivers, owners and garages.
FSMG's experimentation with the "double box" commercial format, intended to keep viewers engaged throughout breaks, is expected to be an FS1 staple.Fox PR)(3-5-2013)
UPDATE: Select Sprint Cup Series races will be shown on the new Fox Sports 1 channel starting in 2015, the network announced. Fox Sports Media Group has the rights to [the season's first] 13 races, and the news release Tuesday did not indicate which of those races will move from network television to cable. NASCAR officials confirmed when the Fox 2015-2022 deal was announced last October that the Daytona 500 will remain on network television. Speed shows such as NASCAR RaceDay, NASCAR Victory Lane and Race Hub will be added to the Fox Sports 1 lineup. Race Hub, typically a 6:00pm/et show on Speed, will move to midday.(Sporting News)(3-6-2013)