2005 NAIAS: Broadcasters Wakes-Up! NBC Will Broadcast Live from Detroit Auto Show

First-time special to feature vehicle debuts, test drives from NASCAR broadcast team

NEW YORK, Dec. 13 -- NBC Sports will showcase 12 production vehicles and five other models to a national audience during its live, two- hour special from the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Jan. 23, 2005 at Cobo Center in Detroit.

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"NBC Sports is looking forward to presenting the International Auto Show to a national audience," said Producer Sam Flood, coordinating producer of NASCAR on NBC. "This show will allow all viewers the opportunity to get a first look at the newest and most interesting new cars of 2005."

The first-time event will mark the closing day of the NAIAS, and will feature commentary from NBC's NASCAR broadcast team of Allen Bestwick, Wally Dallenbach and Bennie Parsons. The NASCAR team will offer vehicle perspectives and test-drives of some of the world's finest automobiles.

"Our unique partnership with NBC Sports offers substantial national exposure of the auto industry's most anticipated event," said Bill Cook, senior co-chairman of the NAIAS 2005. "It's a natural fit for both organizations, reaching out to a broad range of viewers who love cars and will enjoy the participation of the NASCAR team during the live NBC Sports show."

The two-hour program will re-air on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005 on NBC Sports.

This NAIAS-NBC Sports collaboration is the latest in recent media partnerships for the NAIAS 2005. On June 2, the NAIAS named WDIV-TV 4, the NBC affiliate in Detroit, as the official local broadcast partner for the 2005 through 2007 shows. The local affiliate reaches more than 3.5 million adult viewers in metro Detroit and in Ontario, Canada.

NBC Sports has solidified its status as a premier sports network with a broad range of successful programming. NASCAR has particularly benefited from its relationship with NBC, with viewership increasing by 40 percent since the network became a chief broadcaster of the sport in 2001. NBC's last two broadcasts of the Daytona 500, the sport's paramount event, have been the most viewed and highest-rated in history.

About the North American International Auto Show

Entering its 17th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn the distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at http://www.naias.com/ .

NAIAS 2005 Dates

Press Preview Days will be held Sunday, Jan. 9, through Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005. Industry Preview Days will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 12 and Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005. The Charity Preview will be held Friday evening, Jan. 14, 2005. The public is encouraged to call 888-838-7500 to be placed on a wait list for tickets to the 2005 Charity Preview. Public Days are Saturday, Jan. 15, through Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005.

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