Former Supercross broadcaster Ralph Sheheen says he can finally talk about his latest venture. “Thanks to our friends at the Associated Press for breaking the news on SPEED SPORT launching our very own TV Network called SS1! I am so proud of our entire team who have been working tirelessly to get to this day! Now the hard work begins as we get ready to flip the switch and go LIVE with SS1, says Sheheen.
Speed Sport, which began as National Speed Sport News in 1934, announced its deal with Obsession Media to debut SPEED SPORT 1 next spring. SPEED SPORT 1 plans to broadcast over 400 live events and thousands of hours of motorsports content across free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) and traditional linear platforms. Other platforms currently described as FAST services include Paramount’s Pluto TV, Comcast’s Xumo, Fox’s Tubi, Amazon Freevee and The Roku Channel.
SPEED SPORT 1 plans to broadcast motorsports competition, news, information, behind-the-scenes action, lifestyle programming and documentaries. It is being developed by Obsession Media, a consortium of motorsports and television executives with backgrounds ranging from ESPN, Disney and MTV to the original motorsports-dedicated platforms Speedvision and Speed Channel.
Dan Teitscheid, president of distribution and development for Obsession Media, will be the president and general manager of SPEED SPORT 1. He has previously worked for MTV, ESPN and Disney. “This is a unique opportunity to work with an unbelievably experienced and dynamic team of motorsports, TV and entertainment executives, all of whom have been directly involved in launching some of television’s most iconic brands,” Teitscheid said.
Roger Werner, the former CEO of ESPN and Outdoor Channel Holdings, will be both an advisor and investor to SPEED SPORT 1. Werner, who is an investor and advisor to Obsession Media, founded Speedvision Network in 1995 before selling it to FOX in 2001, where it became the SPEED Channel.