AURORA, ILL (October 26, 2004) - The Maxxis U.S. Open, which aired on NBC for the first-time ever, earned an impressive 2.1 overnight Nielsen rating for Sunday’s broadcast - making it one of the most watched off-road motorcycle races ever.
A milestone for Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division, the promoter and producer of the race held inside Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, the Maxxis U.S. Open was the largest-watched off-road motorcycle race in the U.S. since the 1998 Dallas supercross.
On March 23, Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division and NBC announced their joint partnership on the Dew Action Sports Tour, which begins in June 2005. The Dew Tour, the first-ever, season-long, nationally televised, pro action sports tour will highlight the growing sports and lifestyle of skateboarding, BMX, freestyle motocross and live music.
After announcing the Dew Action Sports Tour, Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division and NBC collaborated on the Maxxis U.S. Open television package.
“We couldn’t be happier with our initial NBC television production and overnight ratings,” said Ken Hudgens, vice president of marketing, Clear Channel Entertainment - Motor Sports. “This is the first step in a long relationship with NBC that includes the Dew Action Sports Tour, launching in June of 2005. Everyone in the motorcycle industry will benefit from our new relationship with NBC - the teams, the riders, the sponsors, the fans … everyone.”
“NBC Sports has enjoyed our Clear Channel Entertainment - Motor Sports partnership, and between the Dew Action Sports Tour and the new off-road motorcycle initiative, we expect to do even more in the future,” said Jon Miller, senior vice president of programming, NBC Sports.
About Clear Channel Entertainment
Clear Channel Entertainment, a leading producer and marketer of live entertainment events is a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications (NYSE: CCU), a global leader in the away-from-home advertising industry. Clear Channel Entertainment currently owns, operates and/or exclusively books approximately 130 live entertainment venues, including nearly 100 in North America and more than 30 in Europe. In 2003, 69 million people attended approximately 32,000 events promoted and/or produced by the company, including live music events; Broadway, West End and touring theatrical shows; family entertainment shows; museum exhibitions, and specialized sports and motor sports events. In addition, the company’s independently operated athlete representation business, SFX, provides management, marketing and financial consulting services to many of the world’s top professional athletes. Clear Channel Entertainment also provides marketing services through LIVE Channel, a company dedicated to creating and executing live events for companies seeking brand promotion. Clear Channel Entertainment operates throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. More information may be found by visiting www.cc.com and www.clearchannel.com.
About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.
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