Osborne makes mark in automotive broadcasting world

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For the last two years, Katie Osborne has logged 250-plus days on the road each year.

Osborne, who grew up in Carmel, is a television reporter and host for a variety of networks.

“It’s hard to find that balance overall,” Osborne said. “That’s why my work is so fortunate because it’s super fun and allows me to be with people that I really enjoy being with.”

Since 2015, Osborne, 31, has been a host on PowerNation, a year-round auto repair program which airs on CBS Sports Network, NBC Sports Network and Paramount Network. Osborne typically is at PowerNation’s studio in Nashville, Tenn., but she travels other places for the show as well.

“I consider that production company kind of my TV family,” said Osborne, who lives in Newport Beach, Calif.

Osborne, whose dream job was being on “Today,” finds she likes being on the move.

Another steady gig is being a reporter for Mecum Car Auctions for NBC Sports.

“Every car has a story, and it’s fun to have that conversation, and every person who owns one of those cars has a story,” she said. “Connecting with people and telling their story is really special.”

Osborne covers Snocross for CBS Sports. She works for IndyCar for live events and digital reporting. She covers The Off-Road Racing Championship for Fox Sports. One of her favorite roles was serving as a reporter for the 2013 Global X Games.

“Being a reporter for Fox Sports in San Diego covering the Padres was fun,” Osborne said. “Being a part of PowerNation is really fulfilling. It’s allowed me to get into the automotive and motorsports culture. I’m very much a Midwestern girl, so it’s cool having worked with the Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis Indians, Indiana Pacers and IndyCar. Covering the Indy 500 was super special, covering it with the (Public Address) team.”

In addition, Osborne has covered a rodeo in Austria. She has helped cover the Rose Bowl as a pregame and in-game host and reporter for its in-house production team several times and performed similar duties for the 2014 and 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

“I jokingly say it’s tough to keep it straight, whether I’m talking about cars, motorcycles or trucks or riders or drivers,” Osborne said. “You have to stay researched and make sure you have all the information gathered. When I go from a motorcycle race to a car race to a sled race, you definitely have to juggle a few of those words.”

Racing is her true passion, even working once in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s credential office.

“Even when I’ve worked with baseball or football, I would always find myself back in racing,” said Osborne, whose boyfriend, Tanner Foust, is a professional racecar driver and was the TV host of “Top Gear.”

Osborne also is appearing in a national TV commercial for Endurance Vehicle Protection.

“I keep waking up to emails or texts of people saying they saw her in the commercial. I’ve not seen it because I don’t watch much TV,” said her mother, Meg Osborne, who finally saw it online.

Osborne attended North Central High School despite living in Carmel because she grew up in the Washington Township Swim Club and wanted to swim for her coach, Mark Hesse. She went to the University of Iowa on a swimming scholarship but gave up swimming and transferred after one year to Indiana University.

“I was ready to explore what else was out there,” said Osborne, who majored in sports communication/broadcast.


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