Since becoming a Sky Sports subscriber in 2009, I and many others have always had this anxious wait as we approached the season opener for the Indycar season... So will Sky renew? Where can I watch the upcoming season? Now for the first time in many years I am happy to share the news broken by Mark Coyle (Head of Digital Production, BT Sport) that BT Sport will continue with their coverage of Indycar up to and including the 2015 season.

It is fair to assume that the coverage will be split across the three channels (BTS1, BTS2 and ESPN) but this is great news for us fans in the UK that for once there is a known stable home of Indycar in the UK.

Checking the stats for visits to the website, I would estimate in the region of 80% of the search terms which have directed traffic to the website are related to TV coverage, where, when and how they can find it.

BT Sport launches this coming weekend with a growing portfolio of football, rugby and Moto GP amongst it live coverage rights. Part of this creation of BT Sport is the acquisition of the ESPN UK broadcasting brand and their pre-existing contracts which include Indycar.

So how does this change things for you?
ESPN UK in its current state will cease on the 31st July, along with any subscriptions that you may have to that channel (side note - ESPN America & Classic will also be phased out). The new channels starting up include BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2 and ESPN (BT) all appear as one subscription package.

How do I continue to watch Indycar in the UK?
There are various ways as long as you have the right means! The best offer is if you have BT Broadband, this way you can pick up the 3 BT Sport channels on you BT Vision or Sky platform for free for the first year, followed by a small monthly fee for the second year (in the region of £3 per month For HD). Broadband customers also get online streaming for free. 

If you are not a BT Broadband subscriber, the cost is £12 per month.

BT Sport appears free as part of XL TV package with Virgin Media, lower packages costs £15 per month.

Which channel will Indycar be broadcast on?
Originally thought just to be on ESPN (BT), but the Mid-Ohio race is in fact live this weekend on BT Sport 2 from 8pm, with a re-run of the race at 5:30pm on ESPN (BT) on the following Tuesday. These listings will be updated as soon as coverage details are released, but they are by no means 100% accurate as listings are very likely to change throughout the week.

It is my feeling in the long term, football and rugby will take priority on Saturday and Sunday evenings so expect some channel bouncing, including the possible 'As Live' tag. But remember that there are only six races left this year so not many opportunities to clash

Firestone Indy Lights re-runs will continue to be shown, as they have be on ESPN (UK).

Which channels can I find on BT Sport on?
Sky
BT Sport 1 - Ch. 445 / 413 HD
BT Sport 2 Ch. 446 / 414 HD
ESPN - 433 / 417 HD

Virgin Media
BT Sport 1 - Ch. 547 / 549 HD
BT Sport 2 Ch. 548 / 550 HD
ESPN - 529 / 530 HD

BT / YouView 
BT Sport 1 - Ch. 507 / 510 HD
BT Sport 2 Ch. 508 / 511 HD
ESPN - Ch. 509 / 512 HD

Where can I find out more?


More in depth details can be found on the ESPN and BT Sport websites, including prices - 
ESPN Website
BT Sport Website
Virgin Media Website

After some time for a will they wont they, what will happen, it was revealed today by BT Sport that they have taken up the rights to broadcast Indycar in the UK from the beginning of August.

The news was broken by Mark Coyle (Head of Digital Production, BT Sport) on Twitter -

"Our confirmed list of US sports: college basketball, Indy car, NASCAR, college football, MLB, Red Bull, MLS."

So where does this leave you as a viewer? 

The current tv arrangement with ESPN stands until 31/07/13.

Still awaiting details on which channel it will be broadcast, more will be forthcoming nearer the time. 

But we do know that ESPN will continue in the UK,but now under the BT Sport umbrella (including BT Sport 1 & 2), it would be a fair estimate that it will be on this channel. 

The current contract is for live coverage, but does not mean all races will be shown live, fingers crossed with ESPN as the potential American sports channel, things will be OK.

How do I get BT Sport?

Good news is that if you are a BT Broadband customer you will get the channels for free! But those on Sky will have to pay for the channel, £15 HD / £12 SD per month. More details about viewing and how to subscribe can be found on the BT Sport website.

For details about BT Sport appearing on Virgin Media, click HERE. 

More details on that to follow from BT in due course. You can follow BT Sport on twitter for news and updates as well as on here as and when more is released.