Link This |
Email this |
Blog This |
Comments (0)
Wrestling With NASCAR
April 7, 2008
If you watched this weekends NASCAR race of DirecTV’s HOTPASS service you might have noticed something new and that is a promotion DirecTV has going with the up and coming TNA pro wrestling promotion.
From where I sit whoever came up with this idea is a genius as many NASCAR fans are also wrestling fans. TNA is not as well known as the WWE, but is quickly gaining ground on the WWE. Long time wrestling fans that have never watched TNA might actually find themselves comfortable watching TNA as the TNA roster features many former WWE wrestlers including Kurt Angle, The Dudley Boys (now called Team 3D), Kevin Nash, Sting and Booker T. In addition TNA features some great up and coming wrestlers such as Chris Sabin, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles.
This weekends Samsung 500 Race had its HOTPASS Pre and Post race shows sponsored by TNA. In addition DirecTV has been advertising its NASCAR HOTPASS on TNA wrestling shows over the past few weeks, with the DirecTV HOTPASS logos being placed around TNA’s unique 6 sided wrestling ring and in the background on behind the scenes interviews.
From where I sit it appears that TNA has the most to gain from this new partnership, but by the same token DirecTV is also building some very good brand loyalty by sponsoring the wrestling show, so it all works out in the end.
Speaking of HOTPASS, I got to admit that every week DirecTV’s NASCAR HOTPASS coverage gets better and better. When I watch the races I have the main race on my big HDTV then watch the extra HOTPASS material on a smaller TV. This weekend I had Tony Stewarts channel up on the extra TV and enjoyed the coverage. DirecTV has added live interviews with the pit crew while the race is happening, plus added a number of camera angles which make it feel more like you are part of your drivers team. At times I think that the announce teams working the HOTPASS drivers channels are doing a better job calling the race then the actual FOX broadcast team.
Hats off to the DirecTV crew for a job well done this weekend!
Posted by Scott Greczkowski on April 7, 2008 | Comments (0)
