Nascar has said it will retain its current cable-television partners, ESPN and TNT, until the end of the 2014 season amid reports that the US motor-racing series’ new television deal could be brought forward to commence next year.
ESPN and TNT currently have rights to Nascar races in eight-year deals, from 2007 to 2014.
In October 2012, the Fox Sports division of US network Fox sealed an eight-year extension, from 2015 to 2022, to its rights deal. In August, Fox extended and expanded the multi-platform rights agreement for two additional seasons beyond 2022.
In July, NBC Sports Group, operated by media company NBCUniversal, agreed a 10-year rights deal with Nascar, from 2015 to 2024.
NBC and Fox had expressed interest in taking over the ESPN and TNT portions of the current contract in 2014.
However, Nascar on Saturday announced that the 2014 Sprint Cup Series would have its first 13 points races on Fox, the next six on TNT and the final 17 on ABC/ESPN.
Steve Herbst, Nascar's vice-president of broadcasting and production, said: “Despite speculation over the last month that Nascar’s new television agreement could be pushed up to the start of the 2014 season, Nascar has informed our broadcast partners today that Fox, Turner and ESPN will finish the current term as originally planned.
"While we were humbled by the desire of NBC and Fox to start 12 months early, we now consider this matter closed and look forward to finishing our current agreement in 2014 with our great partners at Fox, Turner and ESPN.”