NASCAR’s 2025 media rights deal, touted as a modernization effort, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from fans of the sport. The backlash centers on the sport’s fragmented streaming strategy, which forces viewers to juggle multiple paid subscriptions while leaving international fans in the lurch.
The Subscription Burden: Paywalls and Platform Fatigue
The 2025 season requires fans to navigate a maze of paid services. And in fact, if you want to watch everything, from practising to the race, it will cost you a minimum of $395.54, and will still involve you actively stopping and starting services throughout the year.
- Exclusive streaming: Five Cup Series races will air only on Amazon Prime Video ($15/month), while in-car cameras and team radios move to Max (HBO Max, $10–20/month).
- Cable dependence: Half the season remains on traditional networks (Fox, NBC, USA Network, FS1), requiring a $75+/month cable package.
- Total cost: Fans estimate spending $250+ annually just to watch races, not including internet fees or regional blackouts.
X user @Team54Updatessummarized the frustration:
“So now I have to have Max to do Cup Series radios and video and I have to have the NASCAR app in order to do the other two national series? This is getting to be really costly to follow everything. Not to mention cost incurred in having this account which I realize isn’t a necessity. Just frustrating to continue to lump on monthly payments.
“I already have sacrificed going to Texas this year. Can’t really afford to do buy diecasts or merch. My personal income has been abysmal but I’m praying that turns around.
“I understand NASCAR is a business but I’m at the point where I have to side with the people saying it’s beginning to be cost preventative to do everything you want to do. Cable, streaming apps, NASCAR app, plus all the costs associated with this account is rough. I feel for people in an even worse position than I am.”
WHINY PERSONAL POST, PLEASE IGNORE IF YOU DONT CARE: So now I have to have Max to do Cup Series radios and video and I have to have the NASCAR app in order to do the other two national series? This is getting to be really costly to follow everything. Not to mention cost…
— Team 54 (@Team54Updates) February 1, 2025
Others criticized the lack of transparency:
“Another season of most people being priced out of Nascar because most races require a $100 a month tv subscription.” [sic]
Another season of most people being priced out of Nascar because most races require a $100 a month tv subscription.
— Two Penny Puppet (@TwoPennyPuppet) February 1, 2025
Fans have widely contrasted NASCAR’s approach with Formula 1’s F1TV Pro ($85/year), which offers coverage of all races, practices, and qualifying sessions, as well as driver onboards, telemetries, and replays, all with no ads.
NASCAR’s model, by comparison, spreads content across six+ platforms with no unified option. Even the NFL‘s Prime Video-exclusive Thursday Night Football drew less ire, as Amazon provided free Twitch streams—a concession NASCAR has not matched.
Key Differences
Things get even worse for international viewers. In Canada, races will be split between TSN (cable) CTV (free OTA), TSN+ ($8/month), and Rev TV (niche cable).
And if you’re in the UK? Well I’m afraid I can’t help you there either. I’m yet to hear confirmation that it will be shown, but Premier Sports TV have the rights and is hoping to screen it later this year, however, Newsweek Sports has learnt that a deal is yet to be finalized.
There are serious concerns regarding this new broadcast schedule going forward. Hopefully, NASCAR can send a message to fans to put their minds – and bank accounts – at ease.
The post NASCAR’s 2025 Broadcasting Model Sparks Outrage As Season Begins appeared first on Newsweek.
