Improving NASCAR Television

With NASCAR television ratings on the decline, NASCAR and the television networks are scrambling to find ways to stop the bleeding and get fans back in front of their televisions. NASCAR has already modified the rules for restarts, putting the lead lap cars side by side at the front of the pack. The last few weeks have also seen discussions of consistent, or at least more consistent, start times for the races. I don't know how much consistent start times would help the ratings, but I would appreciate it for the sake of convenience.

Every weekend, my NASCAR viewing consists of checking Jayski to find out the time and station for upcoming events. Should I have to do that? Probably not. The NFL doesn't make me do this. I know that when 1 PM comes around on Sunday during football season all I have to do is decide which game to watch. Why do I know that? I've been conditioned to it. I can't recall it being any other way. Maybe it was at some point, but I don't remember it. NASCAR should condition us in the same way. NASCAR fans are every bit as loyal as NFL fans. Please don't make us take on a research project just to watch a race.

Imagine if your favorite show was scheduled like NASCAR. Sometimes it would be on Sunday at 2:30, other times it would be on at 4:00, and still other times you might tune in on Sunday at 2:00 only to realize it ran Saturday night at 8:00. That's no way to build a following. Sure, the more devoted people will find out the details and tune in but casual fans won't go to that much trouble.

I've heard arguments that later start times help attract viewers from western time zones. While later start times are a bit different than consistent start times, that's a load of bull. I know several football fans on the west coast and they all agree that football season is great on the west coast. They get to see the games starting at 10 AM and are done by a little after 4 PM. Even if they take in the Sunday night game, they're finished with it by a 8:30 most of the time.

The point is that people know where they live and they schedule their activities accordingly. Most of us don't have a great deal of leisure time, so we want to make the most of it. Give us an easy schedule and we'll be there. Come on NASCAR and TV executives, help us help you!