Thomas Sénécal: « Indycar is a gift to our C+ subscribers »
Thomas Sénécal, the editor-in-chief of Canal+ for auto sports, shares with us the reasons that led the channel to acquire the broadcasting rights for IndyCar in France. He reassures us about GP2 and Formula E, which are broadcast on the Sport+ channel (whose shutdown is scheduled).
For the year 2015, Canal+ decided to enhance its premium offering in motorsports by broadcasting IndyCar races, the US version of Formula 1, on Canal+ Sport channel. “After Formula 1, we immediately had GP2, we have Formula E, there is a logic in offering our subscribers a range of the best in motorsports,” says Thomas Sénécal, journalist and editor-in-chief at Canal+.
We are eager to share this with our subscribers. IndyCar is a great spectacle, a great show, with French drivers who shine, and it aligns with what we want to offer our subscribers. These drivers include Sébastien Bourdais, a four-time Champ Car champion (the IndyCar of the time), and Simon Pagenaud. The latter is part of the biggest team on the grid, Penske, in 2015, after fighting for the title for the past three years.
« We’re going to have the same approach as we had with F1, » adds Thomas, « our goal is to provide a nice coverage; be expert yet educational. » Stéphane Genti will again be on commentary. The Canal + journalist is a fan of US sports and already covers GP2 and Formula E. « We chose young drivers as consultants. We’ll have Tristan Vautier on set and Jean-Karl Vernay » alongside Genti. « We’re going to rely on these guys. We’ve identified them as well-versed in US motorsports. »
The editor-in-chief is considering a special cover for the Indianapolis 500. Notably because IndyCar is very well received in the company, especially by our F1 consultants. Canal+ presenters for Formula 1 Grand Prix, Jacques Villeneuve and Franck Montagny, have both raced in North American single-seaters. The Canadian is the 1995 CART champion and winner of the Indianapolis 500. The Frenchman has competed in 2 IndyCar races and achieved a podium finish in 2008 at Long Beach in his only Champ Car race.
They are very busy with F1 but we did an interview with Jacques Villeneuve who is delighted to share his experience, adds Thomas Sénécal. This interview will be broadcast Sunday evening before the race.
The potential audience is difficult to evaluate for the debut of the American discipline on the pay channel. Despite some goodwill among motorsport fans, IndyCar is not very well known in France. « We don’t have specific targets; we will find out to what extent it can interest our subscribers. On Sunday, we’ll be on air at 9:20 PM and then we’ll see on Monday. »
As for the future of GP2 and Formula E, threatened due to the planned shutdown of the Sport+ channel, the editor-in-chief of auto sports is not worried about that. Decisions have not yet been made, but the Canal+ group seems to have been welcoming motor sports for two years, since the arrival of Formula 1.
© Canal+ – Laurie Delhostal, on the left, will be part of the “set” team for IndyCar races
