SPEED™ Steamrolls into New Year Celebrating 15th Anniversary

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SPEED made its modest debut on New Year’s Eve 1995, launching in just 3.2 million homes on the Cox Communications cable system, with its first full day of programming coming on New Year’s Day. Originally based in Connecticut, today, the widely distributed network has its home in Charlotte, N.C., available to more than 82 million homes in North America and is steamrolling into its most ambitious programming year ever.

“We work very hard to continually expand and build upon our strong relationship with NASCAR, while at the same time constantly exploring ways to strengthen our position as the industry leader in motor sports and automotive enthusiast programming, both on-air and online.”

In the last few years, SPEED, a powerful member of the FOX Sports Media Group, has kept expanding -- opening a state-of-the-art HD production facility in 2008, and launching the groundbreaking broadband network, SPEED2, earlier this year.

Since December of last year, SPEED has added more than 2.5 million U.S. homes.

“While it’s great to take a look back at all the highlights from the last 15 years, it’s even more fun to look forward to all that is coming in 2011,” said network President Hunter Nickell, who took the reins at SPEED in 2005. “We work very hard to continually expand and build upon our strong relationship with NASCAR, while at the same time constantly exploring ways to strengthen our position as the industry leader in motor sports and automotive enthusiast programming, both on-air and online.”

In January, SPEED begins the 2011 racing season with live coverage of the AMA Supercross opener from Anaheim (Jan. 8, 10 p.m. ET), NASCAR testing from the newly resurfaced Daytona International Speedway (Jan. 20-22) and the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona (Jan. 29-30), with car lovers getting their fix beginning Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. ET, as SPEED offers 40 hours of live coverage over three days from the 40^th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Things really heat up in February, as SPEED delivers a convoy of trucks and hundreds of personnel into Daytona Beach for the network’s signature coverage of NASCAR’s Daytona Speedweeks, including live coverage of the Gatorade Duel at Daytona on February 17.

And before the engines even have a chance to cool, SPEED unveils its new prime time lineup with six new titles premiering the week of Feb. 21 (Note: The list below identifies working titles that may change by air time):

Car Warriors (Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET, 60 minutes) - With decades of experience under his belt, having designed some of Hollywood’s most recognizable custom cars ever, George Barris, ‘King of the Kustomizers,’ joins fellow automotive geniuses Jimmy Shine and “Mad Mike” Martin as judges for SPEED’s new all-star build show.

American Trucker (Thursdays at 10 and 10:30 p.m. ET, two 30-minute episodes) – Produced by BCII Productions (Overhaulin’, Livin’ the Low Life, Payback, Hot Rod TV) and hosted by designer/artist and fanatical truck expert Rob Mariani, a finalist on HGTV’s Design Star, this new show introduces the audience to iconic trucks, the famous routes they followed and the cargo missions that made history.

Car Science (Wednesdays at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET, two 30-minute episodes) – The producers of the popular franchise series Sports Science and Fight Science bring a mad-cap scientific approach to the world of automobiles.

Speedmakers (Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, 60 minutes) – Produced by Michael Hoff Productions (Ultimate Factories, Mega Structures, Ghost Detectives), Speed Makers takes a look at the iconic builders and epic innovators of acceleration. From celebrated mega-structures like Daytona International Speedway to behind the scenes at Aston Martin, this show celebrates the masterminds of engineering power.

Ticket to Ride with Dan Neil (Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET) – Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street Journal automotive writer Dan Neil takes viewers inside the business of cars, offering insightful test drives, interviews and commentary with a trademark wit that has made Neil a must-read for car lovers.

The 10 (Wednesday at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET, two 30-minute episodes) – A fast-paced list program, highlighting the best of the best from the world of NASCAR. First season topics include Most Bizarre Finishes, Throw-downs, Talladega Moments, All-Time Races, Closest Calls and Earnhardt Moments.

On the dedicated broadband network, SPEED2, launched earlier this year on Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks and expected to be available to more than 10 million homes by early in 2011 through multiple outlets, new additions to the programming lineup include:

• British Motocross Championship				• Nissan GT Academy
• British Rally Championship				• Superstars Series
• Bike Road Racing Series				• V8 UTES
• European Touring Car Cup				• ANDRA (Australian National Drag Racing Assoc.)
• FIA European Truck Racing Championship				• Formula One archive programming from the 1950s-1970s
• FIA Gala
• Maserati Trofeo
• Mini Challenge (Australia)

And as the season rolls on, look for the network to keep pace – with the launch of the 2011 Formula One season in March, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in May, a new slate of enthusiast programming in July and live coverage of the annual NASCAR Hall of Fame events. In addition, SPEED continues to be the exclusive home of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the Rolex Grand American Road Racing Series, MotoGP, AMA Supercross, ARCA Racing Series, USHRA Monster Jam, World Superbike and AMA Superbike.

About SPEED™

SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in more than 82 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.

About FOX Sports Media Group

FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) is the umbrella entity representing News Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets under Chairman & CEO David Hill. Built with brands that are capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FSMG includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FSMG now includes FOX Sports, the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; Fox’s 19 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; SPEED and SPEED2; Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus; FUEL TV; and Fox College Sports. In addition, FSMG also includes FOX Sports Interactive Media, which comprises FOXSports.com on MSN, whatifsports.com and scout.com, reaching over 20 million unique visitors monthly. Also included are Fox’s interests in joint-venture businesses FOX Deportes, Big Ten Network and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network, FOX Sports Skybox restaurants and FOX Sports Grills.

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