New Entrant In Online Video World Targeting Racing Enthusiasts : SPEEDTube

Cord cutting and cord shaving have hit cable and satellite so hard that most cable networks waiting to get a spot on the dial have either given up on a linear channel or are delivering up content online. That was the case with the recently launched SPEEDVISION, which revived itself online 10 years after going off the air on cable and satellite.

This sector is so hot that another channel, SPEEDTube launched on YouTube in early November, as well as the website SPEEDTubeTV.com. The website has information about shows on the YouTube channel, including live events related to the shows PINKs All Out and PASSTIME, along with sweepstakes and merchandising.

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The genesis for the launch by founder Brian Bossone (SPEEDTube is owned by parent company Boss One Media) was similar to that of SPEEDVISION which was developed by people involved with cable network including Robert Scanlon, the former CEO. He told Hollywood Reporter that an ad-supported channel in this genre could generate $140 million in advertising and so he decided to relaunch it as a FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channel.

By contrast, SPEEDTube decided to go on the air as a YouTube channel. Bossone said that “with networks and streaming services flooding the market with the standard $4.99 pay model, we wanted to offer these shows to our fans for free.”

He also pointed out that with a pay-based VOD model (or even with a FAST channel) you have to do your own marketing while YouTube uses an algorithm-based search engine, pulling viewers in from similar content, increasing your chances of exposure exponentially.

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The talent behind shows like PASSTIME, Drag Race High and Pinks! All Out are on the management team, and these shows aired on the initial debut of SPEEDTube along with PINKS! Lose the Race, Lose your Ride and PINKS ALL OUT OUTTAKES. Additional episodes are added online every Tuesday and Thursday. Shows in the works include 4×4 Garage, BURNOUT, Gearheads and Dream Garages.

Boss One Media purchased the shows with all URL’s and Trademarks directly from FOX TV in August of 2021 and will continue to produce new episodes. It also hired Ray Iddings, the producer of PASSTIME, Drag Race High and IHRAs Nitro Jam, as the head of content development.

Historically this content has done well with a male demographic. However, Bossone said he was surprised by the early data coming back from YouTube which showed that males and females had an equal share of viewing in the 18-54 demographic. The share of viewers is fairly evenly distributed in the 18-24, 25-34, 35-44 and 45-44 age groups.

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SPEEDTube Viewership By Age Group

13-17 Years 0.6%

18-24 Years 22.2%

25-34 Years 21.8%

35-44 Years 19.7%

45-44 Years 20.9%

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55-64 Years 13.0%

65+ Years 1.8%

Source YouTube Analytics, November 2-November 11