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Speed (TV network)
Speed (TV network)
Speed (TV network)
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Speed is an American FAST platform and a former sports-oriented cable and satellite television network owned by the Fox Sports Media Group division of 21st Century Fox. The network was dedicated to motorsports programming, including auto racing, as well as automotive-focused programs.

Key Information

Although the channel was based in the United States (its headquarters were located at University Research Park in Charlotte, North Carolina), Speed ceased being available to most American viewers as a standalone network with its own original programming on August 17, 2013, when it was replaced by the general-interest sports network Fox Sports 1.[1][2][3] An "international" version of the network, now known as Fox Sports Racing, concurrently launched in Canada, the Caribbean and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico to replace the domestic feed, airing archived Speed programming and live simulcasts of motorsports events carried by Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 in the United States that would be otherwise unavailable to international viewers.[4]

When it originally launched in 1995 as Speedvision, the network carried a lineup featuring programs profiling the automobile and motorsports industries (including individual companies, vehicles and teams), how-to series, and coverage of various domestic and international racing series (such as the Formula One World Championship, Rolex Sports Car Series, and the American Le Mans Series). After it was acquired by News Corporation in 2001 and relaunched as Speed Channel, the network's programming became increasingly NASCAR-oriented; prior to its shutdown in the U.S., Speed's lineup consisted mostly of automotive-themed reality shows, NASCAR-related programs (including coverage of practice and qualifying sessions, and full coverage of the Truck Series and NASCAR-owned Rolex Sports Car Series), along with news programs focusing on motorsports. Most of Speed's live event programming was carried over to Fox Sports 1 (or sister network Fox Sports 2), and was simulcasted on the Speed network that remained available outside the U.S.

Due to contractual changes associated with the relaunch, Fox was expected to temporarily distribute a version of Speed (separate from the international version) to fulfill contracts with providers that had not yet signed deals to carry Fox Sports 1, airing a loop of the network's past reality programming.[5] Many of the programs once found on Speed can now be found in the United States on CBS Sports Network, MAVTV and Velocity (such as Gearz, My Classic Car, Chop Cut Rebuild, and Dream Car Garage as well as live coverage of racing events), others not such as Speed Center.

Nine years after the closure of Speed, the channel was revived in November 2022 under its original Speedvision name as a FAST supported channel while the post-2001 Speed was also relaunched that same year by Boss One Media, LLC as a YouTube channel.

History

[edit]

As Speedvision

[edit]

The network originally launched as Speedvision on December 31, 1995. The network was one of two (the other being the Outdoor Life Network) formed out of a partnership of Cox Cable and Times Mirror which had combined their cable systems operations in 1994. In July 1995, Times Mirror decided to reassess its media holdings and reduced its stake in the two planned networks to 10%. Comcast and Continental Cablevision were brought on as new partners.[6]

Speedvision was planned by former ESPN executive Roger L. Werner, E. Roger Williams and Robert Scanlon. The network offered a mix of automotive, boating, and aviation programming.[7]

Speedvision's initial lineup featured various automotive programs, including various documentary-style series focusing on prolific vehicles, manufacturers, and racing teams (such as Victory by Design and Legends of Motorsport), series focusing on classic automobiles (such as Dream Car Garage, coverage of Barrett-Jackson's auctions, and My Classic Car, which moved to the network from TNN), an AutoWeek-branded television series, along with MotorWeek and Autoline Detroit – two programs respectively syndicated from PBS member stations in Maryland and Detroit. Speedvision also carried coverage of various minor and professional auto racing series, including the Sports Car Club of America's World Challenge series (of which it also acquired title sponsorship of in 1999, becoming the Speedvision World Challenge).

Fox acquisition and NASCAR push

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In 1998, the Fox Entertainment Group (then a subsidiary of News Corporation) purchased a 30% ownership interest in Speedvision.[8] In May 2001, Fox negotiated a deal to acquire the stakes held by Cox and Comcast, thus giving them majority control of the network.[9] Since Fox Sports had recently acquired broadcast rights to the first half of the NASCAR Busch and Winston Cup Series in a six-year deal, Fox planned to leverage Speedvision as an outlet for supplemental NASCAR programming.[7] To coincide with that year's running of the Daytona 500, Speedvision was relaunched as Speed Channel on February 11, 2002; the network's operations were also relocated from Stamford, Connecticut to Charlotte, North Carolina (where NASCAR and the majority of its teams are based).

In the following years, additional NASCAR-related programs were slowly brought on to the schedule, ranging from news programs (such as Totally NASCAR, rerun from Fox Sports Net, and NASCAR Race Hub), pre-race programs Trackside and NASCAR RaceDay, and the post-race NASCAR Victory Lane. Speed Channel also added a weekly call-in show in 2003, WindTunnel with Dave Despain, which featured interviews and discussions relating to news and events in auto racing.

NASCAR Busch (now Xfinity) Series driver Shane Huffman answers questions from Speed Channel's Dick Berggren.

Starting in 2003, Speed began to carry NASCAR's Truck Series, after buying out the remainder of ESPN2's contract for the events. The channel also offered coverage of practices and qualifying races in NASCAR's main national series, the Gatorade Duels qualifying races, and the Sprint All-Star Race. In 2005, the channel's name was shortened to simply Speed.

In 2006, the conclusion of Daytona 500 qualifying coverage was moved to Speed due to NBC's coverage of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. The coverage still had NBC graphics and commentary. It would be the only time that the NBC/TNT broadcast combo (which aired the Daytona 500 in even-numbered years and the summer race in the odd-numbered months) would air its NASCAR coverage on SPEED.[10]

Until late 2007, Speed also aired coverage of International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation events over the winter months – including bobsledding, luge and skeleton. Its winter sports coverage also included an annual charity bobsledding event organized by NASCAR driver and bobsled builder Geoff Bodine, which featured participation by various NASCAR drivers. Universal Sports acquired the rights to FIBT events beginning in the 2007–08 season.

Speed continued to maintain coverage of other professional racing series, such as the Rolex Sports Car Series (including the 24 Hours of Daytona), the American Le Mans Series (along with the 24 Hours of Le Mans), the newly renamed Speed World Challenge until 2010, and the Formula One World Championship. By the mid 2000s, these came along with an increasing number of reality series (such as the street racing-inspired Pinks, Unique Whips, Chop Cut Rebuild, the drag racing game show Pass Time, American Trucker, and Hard Parts: South Bronx, along with reruns of the MTV series Pimp My Ride). By 2008, Speed was carried in over 73 million households.[7]

In 2010, Fox launched Speed 2, a TV Everywhere video streaming service which featured coverage of additional racing series not broadcast by Speed, along with video on demand access to archived Speed programs. The service was shut down in 2014.[11]

In 2011, Speed began carrying Australia's V8 Supercars series; it also aired live coverage of the Gold Coast 600 (where major international drivers competed in teams alongside Australian drivers) and the Bathurst 1000 featuring Darrell Waltrip, Mike Joy, Leigh Diffey, and Calvin Fish on-location. The move was met with praise from series organizers, who felt that the series could benefit from the additional exposure it would receive from American coverage—the series would also add a U.S. event at Austin's Circuit of the Americas for the 2013 season.[12]

On October 12, 2012, Fox Sports announced that it would not renew its contract to air Formula One racing on Speed after the conclusion of the 2012 season. Two days later, NBC Sports announced that it had reached a new four-year deal to broadcast F1 races beginning in the 2013 season, with the majority of its coverage to be carried by NBC Sports Network.[13][14] Three days later, Fox Sports reached an agreement with NASCAR to extend the network's broadcasting contract through the 2022 season (maintaining its rights to the first half of the Cup Series and the full NASCAR Truck Series), along with the addition of online streaming rights beginning in 2013.[15]

International expansion

[edit]

Speed became available in Canada shortly after its U.S. launch. As Speedvision, Speed was approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to be added to its list of foreign cable networks approved for carriage on Canadian cable and satellite providers in 1997.[16] As such, Speed was carried by most Canadian television service providers. Prior to August 2013, Canadian viewers saw a largely identical schedule as the U.S. channel, although some programming, particularly live Formula 1 events, were blacked out to protect TSN, which holds domestic broadcast rights to F1 events (under CRTC rules, foreign services must own Canadian broadcast rights to the content they air).[17] However, this point became moot when NBC Sports Network obtained rights to F1 events beginning with the 2013 season, as that network is not available in Canada.

The Latin American version of Speed was launched on November 5, 2005 with a Brazilian version following in July 2006, carrying live coverage of the NASCAR Cup, Nationwide Series, and Truck Series, Rolex Sports Car Series, American Le Mans Series (including 24 Hours of Le Mans), and the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. It also aired delayed coverage of the World Series by Renault and NASCAR Mexico. Other programming included highlights shows including British Formula Three Championship, the Argentine TC 2000 and Turismo Carretera, and the Colombian T.C. 2000 and delayed highlights of Australia's V8 Supercars, FIA GT (airing on a few months delay), AMA Supercross and Monster Jam, as well as non-motorsport programs such as Grand Prix on Track, Grand Prix Story, Unique Whips, Tuner Mania and Pinks.

Speed launched in Australia on November 1, 2010 on Foxtel in both standard and high definition.[18] After months of negotiations and controversy, on March 25, 2011, Speed and Speed HD launched on subscription television provider Austar.[19] Among other racing events, the Australian network aired NASCAR Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series, V8 Supercars and Superbike World Championship with the network also having its own version of Speed News. Unlike the U.S. version, it was owned by Fox Sports Pty Limited, a subsidiary of News Corp Australia – which no longer was directly connected to 21st Century Fox due to its inclusion in the split of News Corporation.

On February 5, 2012, the Latin American channel was replaced in Brazil by a domestic version of Fox Sports. Beginning in 2012, the network broadcast Formula 1 free practices and live and delayed qualifying events and races, as well as live races from the GP2 Series and GP3 Series. On November 5, 2012, Speed Latin America was relaunched as Fox Sports 3, whose programming remained focused on motorsports the following years.

On November 2, 2014, the Australian version of Speed closed and was replaced by Fox Sports 5.[20][21]

Shutdown of Speed and relaunch as Fox Sports 1, 2 and Fox Sports Racing

[edit]
Main articles: Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, and Fox Sports Racing

On March 5, 2013, Fox Sports announced that Speed would be shut down and replaced by a new mainstream sports channel known as Fox Sports 1; the network was to inherit Speed's NASCAR coverage (which would be expanded under a new television deal in 2015 to add coverage of selected Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series events), but joined by new or recently acquired sports rights, including college basketball and football, Major League Soccer, UFC, and new studio programming. Sister channel Fuel TV was also being re-launched as a companion, Fox Sports 2.[22][23][24][25]

The last program to be broadcast by Speed in the United States was a replay of qualifying for that weekend's Sprint Cup event, the Pure Michigan 400, which was soon followed by a statement from Fox NASCAR play-by-play announcer Mike Joy marking the end of Speed's operations in the United States:

For 18 years, it's been our honor and privilege to present motorsports and automotive-related programming to you on the network that began as Speedvision, became Speed Channel, and is now known as Speed. From the visionaries who started this network, from maintenance to management, from the talent to the truck drivers, we've shared your passion for motorsports over lo these many years. We love that you care as much about your cars as family, God and country, and so do we. But now, it's time to switch off the ignition and turn in the keys. This is the end of Speed in America. We hope you'll follow us on our new journey to Fox Sports 1 because all your favorite live NASCAR programming and much more is coming along with us. So now, it's goodnight and farewell to America's motorsports authority, Speed.

— Fox's Mike Joy, at the moment Speed was relaunched as Fox Sports 1[26]

Although Fox marketed the transition to Fox Sports 1 as a re-launch of Speed, Fox was required to re-negotiate carriage deals with providers for Fox Sports 1 due to the change of its nature of service. There was uncertainty over whether Fox Sports 1 would have sufficient carriage at launch, as it had not yet reached deals with three of the four largest pay television providers in the United States (these being DirecTV, Dish Network and Time Warner Cable) with only a month before its launch. However, all three finally agreed to terms to carry Fox Sports 1 three days before the scheduled launch.[27] For any remaining television providers that did not reach a deal, Fox offered a "watered-down" version of Speed (which consisted of a loop of the network's reality programming and no live events) to fulfill existing carriage contracts until they reached a deal to carry Fox Sports 1. In international markets such as Canada, a Speed-branded service was maintained running an automated loop of Speed's previous non-event programming, and simulcasts of motorsports programming carried by Fox Sports 1 or 2.[4][5][28]

Speed's former Formula One commentators record a panel discussion at the 2006 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (left to right – Derek Daly, Peter Windsor, Bob Varsha, David Hobbs, Sam Posey, Steve Matchett).

Despite the channel’s shutdown, the Speed brand would be briefly used on Fox Sports’ social media platforms for coverage of AMA Supercross, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the ARCA Racing Series, IMSA, and other non-NASCAR motorsports. Some of these Speed-branded accounts were later converted for IndyCar Series on Fox use.

In Canada, as well as the Caribbean and Puerto Rico, Speed was not converted to Fox Sports 1 with the exact reasons for this not being confirmed, although in the case of Canada, it was not clear whether Fox would have had the ability to make such a change given that Speed's Canadian authorization was based on it being a motorsports-based network with that version of Speed still being available in these areas despite its U.S. shutdown. It would continue to carry various NASCAR and other motorsports events, as well as related studio programming, mostly simulcast with their U.S. broadcasts on Fox Sports 1 or Fox Sports 2, but did not otherwise originate any new programming of its own. During hours when the network was not simulcasting FS1 or FS2 coverage, it carried repeats of past events and Speed's previous reality and documentary programming without carrying commercial advertising: commercial breaks consist solely of promos for its programming, with no outside advertising aside from public service announcements and promotions inserted by local providers.[4]

In early 2014, major Canadian service providers including Rogers Cable and Bell Satellite TV began to drop the service upon the expiration of their carriage contracts. Cogeco dropped the Speed Channel on July 15, 2014.[29] Shaw later announced they would drop Speed on April 1, 2015 within their cable and satellite system (a.k.a. Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct).[30] Reports indicate that Fox had attempted to raise the channel's carriage fees significantly, despite the major reductions in original programming for international viewers,[31] and Rogers suggests Fox was unwilling to allow Speed to be moved to a more specialized package in light of the programming and cost changes.[32]

On February 19, 2015, Fox announced that the international feed of Speed would be re-branded as Fox Sports Racing, and announced that Rogers had reached a deal to add the rebranded network back to its lineup.[33]

Streaming revivals

[edit]

On October 12, 2022, it was announced that Speed co-founder Robert Scanlon was collaborating with Rick Hendrick, Bill Goldberg and advertising industry sales executive Joe Abruzzese to revive the Speedvision brand as a linear channel on FAST (free ad-supported television) services.[34] In addition to the relaunch, Boss One Media, LLC, a company owned by Brian Bossone, had also acquired the Speed intellectual property, social media handles, and the website domain from Fox Corporation, the successor company to 21st Century Fox whose assets were sold to The Walt Disney Company in 2019.[35][36]

The Scanlon-led channel was relaunched on November 17, 2022[37] and features original and archival automotive programming on its daily schedule while the Bossone-led version is also streaming on YouTube[36]

Programming

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Main article: List of programs broadcast by Speed

Speed on Fox

[edit]

Speed on Fox was the name given for any motorsports events shown on Fox which would normally be broadcast by Speed Channel. The events included races from the NASCAR Truck Series (using NASCAR on Fox branding and graphics when aired), Formula One, and Rolex Sports Car Series. The name was first used in February 2007. Formula One was broadcast on Fox for six years and the Truck Series for eight years.

Magazines

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Notable personalities

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See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Speed (TV network)

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Speed (TV network), originally launched as Speedvision, was an American cable and network dedicated to motorsports programming, including live event coverage, analysis, and enthusiast content focused on such as , , and . It debuted on December 31, 1995, as a owned by Corp., , Continental , , and Times Mirror, initially available to about 3.2 million households via subscribers and quickly establishing itself as a pioneer in automotive . In 2001, 's Fox Cable Networks Group acquired majority ownership, leading to a to Speed Channel in February 2002 and a relocation of headquarters to , to align more closely with 's hub. The network expanded its programming to include exclusive rights to series like the starting in 2003, live broadcasts of events such as the All-Star Challenge in 2007, and international ventures like Speed in 2010, while also producing original shows like AmeriCARna and with . By 2012, Speed had secured a long-term broadcasting deal through 2022 valued at over $2.4 billion, but it lost rights to the same year. On August 17, 2013, Speed ceased operations as Fox Sports rebranded it into the broader (FS1) to compete in general sports programming, marking the end of its dedicated motorsports focus after nearly 18 years. In November 2022, co-founder Robert Scanlon revived the brand as Speedvision, a (FAST) service under Speedvision Media Group, offering over 500 hours of premium automotive, , and content on platforms including , Plex, , and WatchFree+. As of 2025, the streaming Speedvision continues to target auto enthusiasts with live streams, classic series, and new productions featuring hosts like and .

History

Launch as Speedvision (1995–2001)

Speedvision launched on December 31, 1995, as a network focused on automotive and recreational programming, formed through a joint venture between and Times Mirror Cable Television. The venture was supported by additional major multiple system operators (MSOs), including Corporation, Continental Cablevision, Broadband, and others, which provided initial carriage commitments to ensure broad distribution. Roger L. Werner Jr., a former executive, served as the network's founding president and chief executive officer, overseeing its development alongside co-founders E. Roger Williams and Robert Scanlon. The network debuted with satellite distribution to cable and satellite providers, initially reaching approximately 3.2 million households primarily through Cox Cable systems. Early programming emphasized educational and lifestyle content rather than live events, including shows on automotive and restoration, techniques, profiles, and coverage of niche motorsports such as and competitions. This broad focus on recreational vehicles and activities distinguished Speedvision from dedicated networks, filling airtime with documentaries and instructional series that appealed to enthusiasts without major live broadcasts of prominent series like . Over the next six years, Speedvision expanded its carriage through strategic partnerships with satellite providers, including , which helped grow its reach to nearly 40 million households by mid-2001. This distribution increase reflected the network's appeal in the growing cable and satellite markets, where it maintained its emphasis on diverse automotive and motorsports content while building a dedicated viewer base.

Fox acquisition and rebranding to Speed (2001–2002)

In July 2001, Cable Networks Group, a division of News Corporation's Liberty Networks (later reorganized as part of the Media Group), completed its acquisition of the remaining ownership stakes in Speedvision from partners including , , and co-founder Roger Werner, thereby gaining full control of the network. The transaction was structured as a complex asset exchange, in which traded its majority interest in the Outdoor Life Network to for the latter's stake in Speedvision, with the deal valuing the motorsports channel at approximately $800 million based on analyst estimates at the time. This move positioned Speedvision as a key asset for ahead of its upcoming broadcasting rights beginning in 2002, enhancing the network's integration into 's broader sports portfolio. Following the acquisition, initiated a effort to streamline the network's identity and align it more closely with its sports-oriented properties. On February 4, 2002, Speedvision officially relaunched as Speed, featuring a new , on-air , and promotional campaign that emphasized its role as the premier destination for motorsports programming. The rebrand marked a strategic pivot under 's ownership, with immediate programming adjustments to concentrate exclusively on and related content, phasing out non-motorsports segments such as and shows that had been part of the original Speedvision lineup. In the wake of the rebrand, Speed secured early content deals to bolster its racing coverage, including rights to broadcast (CART, later known as Champ Car) events starting with the 2002 season, as well as select coverage of other minor series like the Speed World Challenge. These acquisitions complemented existing motorsports programming and laid the groundwork for expanded NASCAR emphasis in subsequent years. By the end of 2002, leveraging Fox's distribution leverage, Speed had grown its carriage to over 30 million U.S. households, up from approximately 25 million pre-acquisition, solidifying its reach within the cable landscape.

Expansion and NASCAR emphasis (2003–2013)

Following the rebranding, Speed significantly expanded its live motorsports coverage, particularly emphasizing NASCAR programming to capitalize on the sport's growing popularity in the mid-2000s. Speed had taken over full coverage of the in 2003. By 2007, under a eight-year, $1.76 billion agreement between and , Speed assumed responsibility for supplemental coverage of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, including practice sessions, qualifying, and select non-points events for the 18 Cup races assigned to . This deal, part of a broader $4.48 billion multi-network contract, solidified Speed's role as a dedicated outlet for NASCAR's ancillary programming, while handled the primary race telecasts. To enhance its appeal beyond live racing, Speed launched and expanded original studio and reality programming during this era. In February 2003, the network debuted Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, a weekly call-in show hosted by veteran motorsports journalist Dave Despain, which quickly became a staple for in-depth discussions on racing news and personalities; by 2007, it had evolved into a prime-time mainstay airing multiple nights per week. The channel also ventured into reality-style automotive content, such as Dream Car Garage, a how-to series focusing on classic car restoration that premiered around 2003 and ran for several seasons, attracting enthusiasts interested in hands-on vehicle modification. These shows were part of a broader strategy to diversify programming, incorporating non-racing auto-focused series like Hot Rod TV for custom builds, My Classic Car for vintage vehicle profiles, and Two Guys Garage for tuning tips, which helped broaden the network's audience to include casual car aficionados. Speed's growth culminated in substantial distribution and viewership gains, reflecting its strategic emphasis on and automotive content. By 2010, the network reached over 80 million households across major providers, including widespread carriage on (now ) in its digital tier and Dish Network's America's Top 200 package and above, up from about 68 million in 2007. This expansion was driven by aggressive carriage negotiations and the rising tide of 's popularity, with the sport's events drawing peak audiences for Speed; for instance, Truck Series races often averaged 2-3 million viewers in the late 2000s, contributing to the channel's highest ratings during the 2007-2010 period. Financially, the network benefited from the Fox- deal's revenue share, which supported increased production budgets and helped Speed achieve profitability peaks around 2010, as ad sales surged alongside 's cultural zenith.

International versions

The international versions of Speed were developed to bring motorsports programming to audiences outside the , often through partnerships with local broadcasters and cable providers, incorporating a mix of U.S.-based content like and localized events to appeal to regional interests. In , the U.S. Speedvision feed was approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Commission (CRTC) for distribution as a non-Canadian specialty service in October 2000, allowing carriage on and providers shortly after the U.S. launch. The service was rebranded to Speed in February 2002, aligning with the U.S. name change, as a motorsports-focused feed. Expansion to began on November 5, 2005, through a partnership with , launching a dedicated feed that featured races. In the Australian version launched in 2004 on , focusing on local series like V8 Supercars and , and continued until its rebrand to Fox Sports 506 in 2018. In the UK and other European markets, feeds were introduced from 2003 via and other platforms, securing rights to events like the to complement international racing. Following the 2013 U.S. shutdown, most international Speed channels were rebranded to , maintaining operations in , the , , , and with a similar emphasis on motorsports. These versions gradually phased out by 2021, with content migrating to broader or local alternatives as rights deals evolved. The U.S. NASCAR focus influenced international programming by prioritizing while adapting to local preferences.

Shutdown and transition to Fox Sports (2013)

On March 5, 2013, Fox Sports Media Group officially announced that the Speed network would cease operations and be rebranded as Fox Sports 1, with the transition taking effect on August 17, 2013. The decision stemmed from a strategic pivot by Fox to bolster its competitive stance against ESPN, aiming to build a comprehensive national sports network by integrating Speed's motorsports content into a wider array of programming, including college sports, UFC, soccer, and MLB events. This consolidation was intended to create a multibillion-dollar sports media franchise, leveraging Speed's established NASCAR rights—particularly partial coverage of the Sprint Cup Series—which had become a cornerstone asset during the network's emphasis on stock car racing in prior years. As part of the transition, select races and related motorsports programming migrated to and the newly launched , while key on-air personalities such as and shifted to these channels to continue coverage. Remaining content, including international series and niche events not fitting the broader sports focus, was initially dispersed but later consolidated into the short-lived , a digital multicast channel that operated from 2015 to 2019 to preserve some dedicated motorsports programming. Speed's final day of broadcasting on August 17, 2013, featured a marathon of classic motorsports highlights and fan-favorite shows, culminating in a sign-off message before the immediate launch of at 6:00 a.m. ET. The shutdown elicited strong backlash from viewers and industry observers, who lamented the loss of a dedicated 24-hour motorsports outlet, arguing it fragmented the audience and diminished coverage depth for series like NHRA and . Many fans expressed frustration online, threatening boycotts of properties and highlighting how the shift prioritized mainstream sports over the niche appeal that had built Speed's loyal following of over 80 million households. Industry analysts viewed the move as a calculated , with projecting significant ad growth for FS1 but acknowledging potential short-term alienation of core motorsports enthusiasts.

Revival as Speedvision FAST (2022–present)

In late 2022, Speedvision was revived as a (FAST) channel, nearly a decade after the original network's shutdown, with the relaunch led by media executive Scanlon, co-founder of the original Speedvision in 1995, who serves as president and CEO. The new iteration operates independently of , emphasizing the legacy branding of the pre-2002 era to appeal to automotive enthusiasts, and is backed by advisors including former wrestler , who also acts as an executive producer and on-air contributor. The channel debuted on November 17, 2022, initially available on several FAST platforms such as , , Sling Freestream, Plex, DistroTV, and MyBundle.TV, offering a library of over 500 hours of automotive programming focused on archival footage and low-cost original productions. By early 2023, distribution expanded to include Fubo and Allen Media Group's platforms like , Sports.TV, and , followed by in March 2023, enhancing accessibility for U.S. viewers. Further growth in 2023 brought the channel to additional services including , LG Channels, , Vizio WatchFree+, and Google TV by November, with international rollout starting on channels in the UK in May 2023. In June 2025, Speedvision expanded to VIZIO WatchFree+, further increasing its availability on smart TVs. As of November 2025, Speedvision continues to operate without any announced plans for discontinuation, maintaining a presence on over a dozen major FAST platforms that collectively reach more than 100 million connected devices and households globally, capitalizing on trends to deliver no-cost automotive content. The channel's strategy prioritizes broad accessibility and steady content updates, including new series like Helping Hands Garage in 2023, while leveraging partnerships for ongoing expansion.

Programming

Original network content (1995–2013)

During its early years as Speedvision, the network's programming emphasized a diverse array of motorsports and automotive content, reflecting its origins as a cable channel dedicated to speed-related entertainment. Launching on December 31, 1995, initial offerings included lifestyle and documentary-style shows such as Wild About Wheels, Planes of Fame, Classic Boat, and The History of Trans-Am, which explored aviation, boating, and racing heritage. By 1996, the lineup expanded to incorporate international motorsports with live coverage of Formula One qualifying sessions, Indy Racing League (IRL) qualifiers, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and simulcasts of NASCAR Winston Cup races enhanced by in-car camera feeds. Additional events like the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, AMA motorcycle racing, Arenacross, ARCA stock car races, and live Grand Prix broadcasts from Australia were added in 1997, broadening the appeal to global racing fans. Following the acquisition in 2001 and rebranding to Speed in 2002, programming shifted toward a heavier emphasis on while retaining diverse elements. Live event coverage became a . Starting in 2007, Speed aired partial coverage of the , including the inaugural live in-season event, the Nextel All-Star Challenge, and select races thereafter. The network also carried the beginning in 2003, events through 2006 (with split coverage alongside and ), and IRL events until the 2007 Champ Car-IndyCar merger. International programming persisted with qualifiers and practices until the rights ended after the 2012 season. Simulcasts under the "Speed on " banner supplemented broadcast network coverage for overflow events, such as extended qualifying, practices, and support races during major weekends like Daytona Speedweeks, which grew to over 70 hours of content by 2004. Original series anchored the daily schedule, evolving from broad automotive themes to motorsports analysis. The daily news magazine Speed Center provided comprehensive updates on news, results, and interviews from 1996 to 2013, serving as the network's flagship informational program with predecessors in earlier formats. Wind Tunnel with , a viewer call-in and expert analysis show, debuted in 2003 and ran through 2013, featuring discussions on race strategies, driver insights, and industry trends four nights a week by mid-decade. Reality formats gained traction in the mid-2000s, exemplified by Pinks! (2005–2008), a high-stakes challenge series, and Super Bikes! (2006–2009), which followed stunt rider Jason Britton on cross-country adventures and custom bike builds, including episodes tied to events like the . Other reality entries included Chop Cut Rebuild (2004–2013), focusing on restorations, and Unique Whips (2005–2008), showcasing luxury customizations. Magazine-style programs offered educational and enthusiast-driven content, such as Dream Car Garage (2005–2008), where hosts Peter Klutt and Tom Hnatiw restored and test-drove classic and exotic vehicles in a garage setting. Acquired international shows like the BBC's Top Gear (aired from 2002 onward) provided entertaining reviews and challenges, influencing later U.S. adaptations and broadening Speed's automotive appeal. Programming blocks rounded out the schedule with weekend marathons of classic races, such as archival and footage, alongside automotive documentaries on topics like racing history and engineering innovations, fostering deeper fan engagement.

Revival content (2022–present)

The revival of Speedvision as a (FAST) channel, launched in November 2022, adopts a programming strategy centered on cost-effective, evergreen automotive content to appeal to enthusiasts without the expense of live broadcasts. The core format operates as a 24/7 linear stream featuring remastered archival footage and episodes from the original Speedvision library, emphasizing niche topics like car restoration, customization, and how-to projects rather than high-cost events. This approach draws from over 700 hours of premium content, including classic series such as Stacey David's GearZ, which provides practical automotive tips, and Graveyard Carz Classics, focusing on reviving dilapidated vehicles. Complementing the archival material, the network has invested in new original productions designed as short-form series to build viewer engagement with fresh narratives. Notable examples include Helping Hands Garage, a 10-episode restoration series hosted by Katie Osborne and Collete Davis, where the duo identifies families overcoming hardships and rebuilds their vehicles to restore mobility and hope. Another key production is Radford Reborn, a five-part documentary tracking celebrity designer and Formula One champion as they revive the iconic British coachbuilder Radford, blending historical insight with modern engineering. These series prioritize accessible storytelling and thematic depth over expansive budgets, often running 30 minutes per episode to fit the FAST model's quick-turnaround style. Acquired and licensed content forms a significant portion of the lineup, sourced through partnerships with production companies to diversify offerings while maintaining low overhead. This includes auction-focused programming like AmeriCarna, which showcases high-profile car sales and collector insights, and garage-centric shows such as Talking Classic Cars with host , exploring vintage vehicle histories. Modern collaborations extend to drag racing highlights from independent producers and restoration narratives, with emerging content appearing in select documentaries that examine conversions and sustainable modifications, though the emphasis remains on traditional automotive themes. The ad-supported model integrates frequent commercial breaks featuring targeted automotive advertisements from sponsors like parts suppliers and dealerships, enabling free access across platforms without subscription barriers. Live major events are absent due to prohibitive rights costs, allowing the channel to sustain operations through pre-recorded, rights-cleared material that loops reliably for global audiences. By 2025, the programming evolved with platform expansions, including launches on WatchFree+ in June and DIRECTV's MyFree service in January, broadening distribution to millions of users. These updates enhanced the 24/7 stream with refreshed archival rotations and new episodes of core series, reinforcing the network's focus on niche, ad-friendly auto entertainment.

On-air talent

Original personalities

Dave Despain served as the primary anchor for Speed's motorsports programming, hosting the weekly talk show Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain from 2003 to 2013, where he conducted in-depth interviews with over 1,200 guests across more than 600 episodes, establishing a signature voice for the network's and broader racing analysis. Despain also contributed to live coverage, drawing on his decades of experience to provide authoritative commentary that helped define Speed's enthusiast appeal during its NASCAR-focused era. Mike Joy handled play-by-play duties for Speed's NASCAR broadcasts, including the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series events from 2007 to 2013, delivering energetic narration that complemented the network's live race telecasts and qualifying sessions. His role extended to pre-race shows, enhancing the immersive experience for viewers during Speed's expansion into major NASCAR events. Among the analysts and experts, Ray Dunlap functioned as a pit reporter and on-site analyst for Speed's coverage, providing real-time insights and features that grounded the network's early news-oriented programming in authentic trackside reporting. offered expert commentary on and events as a color analyst, leveraging his background as a former and driver to deliver technical breakdowns that appealed to Speed's international motorsports audience. emerged as a versatile play-by-play voice, calling races across multiple series including from the mid-2000s to 2013, his dynamic style helping to broaden Speed's appeal beyond stock cars. Pit reporter was integral to Speed's NASCAR event coverage, delivering live updates from the pits during Nationwide and Truck Series races while also contributing segments to the daily news program Speed Center. Voda additionally hosted RaceDay, the network's pre-race show, where she interviewed drivers and analyzed strategies to build anticipation for broadcasts. Her on-site reporting added immediacy and accessibility to the action, making complex race dynamics relatable for casual viewers. Following Speed's shutdown in 2013, many original personalities transitioned to , carrying forward their expertise in and motorsports coverage, though their foundational roles at Speed remained pivotal to the network's legacy.

Revival contributors

The revival of Speedvision as a (FAST) channel in 2022 introduced a fresh team of on-air talent and production leaders tailored to the platform's enthusiast audience, emphasizing accessible automotive storytelling over traditional broadcast formality. , the former professional wrestler and car enthusiast, serves as a prominent host and contributor, appearing in segments that highlight his personal vehicle collection and blend motorsports with high-energy narration, such as a 2025 segment on involving his 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda. His involvement extends to executive advisory roles, helping shape content that appeals to a broad demographic through crossovers between wrestling culture and auto customization. Complementing Goldberg are established automotive experts like and , known for classic car appraisals on , and Mark Worman of , who provide narration and hands-on demonstrations in restoration-focused programming. These contributors deliver a casual, conversational style suited to streaming viewers, prioritizing practical tips and behind-the-scenes access over scripted analysis, with short-form clips shared via the channel's for quick engagement. The production is overseen by Robert Scanlon, Speedvision's president and CEO, a of automotive media who previously helped launch the original network and now curates a library of over 600 hours of content, including new builds and archival integrations that nod briefly to legacy talents from the cable era. Guest spots from contemporary racers and influencers further diversify the lineup, fostering an interactive, community-driven vibe through live streams and user-submitted garage projects.

References

  1. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2013/08/05/Media/Speed-timeline/
  2. https://www.tvweek.com/in-depth/2006/05/10-years-of-speed-speed-channe/
  3. https://racer.com/2022/10/13/speedvision-set-to-return-as-streaming-network
  4. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/speedvision-relaunch-free-streaming-car-network-bill-goldberg-1235239787/
  5. https://www.speedvisionnetwork.com/
  6. https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Times-Mirror-Cox-to-Invest-in-2-New-Channels-3035346.php
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/26/business/the-media-business-times-mirror-and-cox-amend-cable-deal.html
  8. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/speedvision-rides-again--the-definitive-auto-entertainment-brand-returns-as-a-free-ad-supported-television-network-301648542.html
  9. https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/continental-comcast-get-with-program-99129472/
  10. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/1995/04/26/Sports-Media/COX-AND-TIMES-MIRROR-ANNOUNCE-SPORT-CHANNEL-VENTURE/
  11. https://corporate.comcast.com/news-information/news-feed/fox-cable-networks-group-and-comcast-corporation-reach-agreements-on-transfer-of-cable-programming-interests
  12. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2005/dec/08/nascar-gets-8-year-448-billion-tv-deal/
  13. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2012/10/15/Media/NASCAR-TV/
  14. https://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/articles/5641/knaus-to-co-host-wind-tunnel-with-dave-despain-on-sunday
  15. https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/coming-in-august-no-more-two-wheel-tuesday-on-speed-tv/
  16. https://www.cnbc.com/2010/05/10/new-broadband-network-speed2tm-set-to-launch-summer-2010-more-than-a-dozen-international-racing-series-slated-for-inaugural-online-lineup.html
  17. https://about.dish.com/2011-07-12-DISH-Network-Now-Offers-Access-to-Online-Network-SPEED2
  18. https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/nickell-bows-out-speed-president-137052/
  19. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/motor/fox-sports-racing-launches-new-era-in-motor-sports
  20. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2001/pb2001-82.htm
  21. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2002/pb2002-9.htm
  22. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2013/03/06/Media/FS1/
  23. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2013/03/05/Media/Fox-Sports-1/
  24. https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a1936236/fox-sports-1-replace-speed-tv-aug-17/
  25. https://awfulannouncing.com/2013/speed-fans-are-angry-about-fox-sports-1.html
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Teh6q2_jMR8
  27. https://racer.com/2022/10/13/speedvision-set-to-return-as-streaming-network/
  28. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2023/01/23/Insiders/sports-media/
  29. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allen-media-groups-free-streaming-platforms-add-speedvision-fast-channel----expanding-its-motorsports-and-automotive-entertainment-content-library-301773264.html
  30. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/speedvision-fast-channel-now-available-on-amazon-freevee-301785167.html
  31. https://www.nexttv.com/news/speedvision-fast-channel-added-to-google-tv-lineup
  32. https://www.tvrev.com/news/speedvision-fast-channel-vrooms-onto-vizio-smart-tvs
  33. https://www.nexttv.com/news/year-old-speedvision-revs-up-distribution-with-sling-tv-deal-before-planning-to-raise
  34. https://www.speedvisionnetwork.com/post/speedvision-greenlights-all-new-auto-build-and-restoration-series-helping-hands-garage
  35. https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a2032336/speed-channel-signs-new-deal-broadcast-f1-races/
  36. https://www.motortrend.com/features/0407ec-speed-channel
  37. https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/chop-cut-rebuild
  38. https://www.directv.com/insider/speedvision-on-directv/
  39. https://www.speedvisionnetwork.com/shows
  40. https://www.speedvisionnetwork.com/show/radford-reborn
  41. https://www.speedvisionnetwork.com/talking-classic-cars
  42. https://thedesk.net/2022/10/speedvision-relaunch-free-streaming-tv-channel/
  43. https://autos.yahoo.com/voices-speed-enthusiasts-tv-channel-172000262.html
  44. https://www.militarynews.com/norfolk-navy-flagship/sports/nascar_insider/veteran-broadcaster-despain-reflects-on-four-decades-of-race-coverage/article_712f099d-abc6-5e8f-90df-0a53b684b1ed.html
  45. https://archive.506sports.com/wiki/2007_NASCAR_Nextel_Cup_Series
  46. https://aeispeakers.com/speakers/derek-daly/
  47. https://www.nbcsports.com/pressbox/bios/leigh-diffey
  48. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nascar/top-five-nascar-tv-pit-reporters-of-all-time
  49. https://www.facebook.com/speedvisiontv/videos/pro-wrestling-legend-bill-goldbergs-1970-cuda-inspires-mark-worman-cousin-dougie/979682507440809/
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