If there was any doubt Formula E would provide a spectacle for fans and a lead story for television highlights, the doubt was crushed on Saturday.
Fox Sports 1's coverage however, felt lacking. Something that's quite surprising based on Fox's past history of covering motor racing events at a very high level. One cannot be too harsh however. Fox had little to no control over the broadcast. Yet abrupt commercial breaks with no prior warning took the average viewer right out of the action and into a seemingly endless stream of Michelin advertisements for a completely different racing series.
While the on track product proved exciting and showed the high caliber of drivers participating in Formula E, Fox did little to mention the race even happened on their channels. Twitter absolutely exploded with reactions after Nicolas Prost's abrupt move on Nick Heidfeld in the final corner sent Heidfeld soaring into a protective barrier. Fox noticed the reactions and immediately jumped on the opportunity to inform fans that if they missed the event, a re-air would be played on Sunday at 1 PM EST.
The downside however was the information was provided only through Twitter, as well as the occasional mention on Fox Sports 1 & 2's bottom line ticker. Poor promotion through the only medium allowing access to the race has ultimately cost Fox an opportunity to build on the momentum Formula E generated. Scheduling the re-air of the race at the same time as the first race in the NASCAR Chase for the Cup as well as the 1 PM NFL games hurt even more. With only two opportunities to watch the event, both being at times that inconvenience fans, Fox has ultimately dropped the ball on what could have been a ratings juggernaut.
Many fans still feel skeptical about Formula E and if Fox doesn't show enough interest, it's doubtful those fans will feel any differently.
Fox Sports 1's coverage however, felt lacking. Something that's quite surprising based on Fox's past history of covering motor racing events at a very high level. One cannot be too harsh however. Fox had little to no control over the broadcast. Yet abrupt commercial breaks with no prior warning took the average viewer right out of the action and into a seemingly endless stream of Michelin advertisements for a completely different racing series.
While the on track product proved exciting and showed the high caliber of drivers participating in Formula E, Fox did little to mention the race even happened on their channels. Twitter absolutely exploded with reactions after Nicolas Prost's abrupt move on Nick Heidfeld in the final corner sent Heidfeld soaring into a protective barrier. Fox noticed the reactions and immediately jumped on the opportunity to inform fans that if they missed the event, a re-air would be played on Sunday at 1 PM EST.
The downside however was the information was provided only through Twitter, as well as the occasional mention on Fox Sports 1 & 2's bottom line ticker. Poor promotion through the only medium allowing access to the race has ultimately cost Fox an opportunity to build on the momentum Formula E generated. Scheduling the re-air of the race at the same time as the first race in the NASCAR Chase for the Cup as well as the 1 PM NFL games hurt even more. With only two opportunities to watch the event, both being at times that inconvenience fans, Fox has ultimately dropped the ball on what could have been a ratings juggernaut.
Many fans still feel skeptical about Formula E and if Fox doesn't show enough interest, it's doubtful those fans will feel any differently.
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