Special Events Television Network


Special Events Television Network is the name of a defunct syndicated television package that broadcast tape delayed NASCAR races from 1984 [NASCAR Winston Cup Series|1984] to 1988 [NASCAR Winston Cup Series|1988]. SETN aired races that didn't have live television deals at the time. The broadcasts were aired on tape delay because certain promoters still feared that live telecasts would hurt their gate. SETN also sold VHS videos of some races it carried, with additional footage not seen on TV. In addition to its stock car racing, the network produced twelve telecasts of International [Hot Rod Association] events.
SETN was headed by Jim Wiglesworth out of Greensboro, [North Carolina]. SETN was underfunded, and since profits were slim, so were rights fees. Ultimately, the growing popularity of racing on ESPN as well as the overall lack of cash flow drove them out of the business. SETN ceased operations in June 1988; the first Pocono race that year was seen on the Financial [News Network]'s Score weekend sports service, and Martinsville, the last holdout against live television rights, signed an ESPN deal for its fall race.
After SETN folded, one Pocono race a year was produced by Jim Wiglesworth on pay-per-view for Viewer's Choice from 1988 to 1990 [NASCAR Winston Cup Series |1990]. They were not a huge success, as fans were reluctant to pay for what they could see last week for free. The Viewer's Choice shows were noteworthy in that they premiered viewer phone-in questions during the races.

Commentators

Lap-by-lap

Color commentary

Pit road

  • Bob Heiss
  • Pat Patterson