IndyCar Series Racing and WhiteBlox, a developer of IPTV technology, drew thousands of online viewers with its Internet coverage of the Indianapolis 500 on the Indyracing.com and Indy500.com Web sites this year. Fans were able to keep track of their favorite drivers through the use of seven cameras simultaneously broadcasting the race live.
The online program offered multiple camera angles and community participation functions, taking advantage of WhiteBlox's IP broadcasting technology. Home viewers had the choice of seven In-Car Cameras, all of which were being broadcast live simultaneously -- a first in online broadcasting, the companies said. The Indy 500 IPTV site also enabled viewers to access fan polls, live user chats and interactive commercials.
WhiteBlox had been airing events from May 7 leading up to the main race on May 28, including covering time trials, practice runs, interviews and other race-related activities. Racing enthusiasts everywhere were able to log into the Internet broadcasts, and thousands of viewers logged more than 1,264,230 viewer minutes total. Every state in the U.S. had viewers online and 88 countries internationally, according to the companies.
"The Indy 500 is one of the most popular sporting events in the world and WhiteBlox is proud to bring it to viewers in a new way that deepens their experience and connection with the race," said WhiteBlox CEO Greg
Demetriades. "The incredible number of online viewers that tuned in for this broadcast shows just how powerful a tool the Internet has become and outlines the future of online entertainment. It perfectly complements programmers' broadcast strategy."
