NBC Coverage

[dean smith]

Every year people complain about the network coverage. I think you guys are nuts. First off, the sport is tailor-made for HD with the beautiful animals, the vivrant colors and the environment as a whole. Secondly, the blimp shots, the rail shots, etc. are absolutely amazing. Every year I read some clown saying they should just use the basic single camera shot you watch at home on your ADW site because "that's the best way to watch a race." Are you kidding me? NBC is basically making a two minute movie out there and you'd really rather be watching the grainy track camera? Finally, all the human/animal interest stories, the Top Chef b.s., and interviews with the celebs are what draws the casual fan in. I run a restaurant and had the NBC coverage on the TVs. I watched a table full of 20something girls who probably never would have turned it on unless they were forced to watch it stare at the television slack-jawed with awe and genuinely into it by race time. I'm guessing if given the chance to go to the track in the future they will be more inclined to do so and push their money through the windows. All they needed to be was exposed to it.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by dean smith

Every year people complain about the network coverage. I think you guys are nuts. First off, the sport is tailor-made for HD with the beautiful animals, the vivrant colors and the environment as a whole. Secondly, the blimp shots, the rail shots, etc. are absolutely amazing. Every year I read some clown saying they should just use the basic single camera shot you watch at home on your ADW site because "that's the best way to watch a race." Are you kidding me? NBC is basically making a two minute movie out there and you'd really rather be watching the grainy track camera? Finally, all the human/animal interest stories, the Top Chef b.s., and interviews with the celebs are what draws the casual fan in. I run a restaurant and had the NBC coverage on the TVs. I watched a table full of 20something girls who probably never would have turned it on unless they were forced to watch it stare at the television slack-jawed with awe and genuinely into it by race time. I'm guessing if given the chance to go to the track in the future they will be more inclined to do so and push their money through the windows. All they needed to be was exposed to it.

they were probably deciding which hats and dresses to look for at the mall.


as for casual fans, like i said elsewhere, been hearing that line for years. still waiting.

[dean smith]

Originally Posted by Danzig

they were probably deciding which hats and dresses to look for at the mall.


as for casual fans, like i said elsewhere, been hearing that line for years. still waiting.

So you don't think celebrities, background stories and slick television production matter to the "casual" fan? That's simply a wrong opinion to have, lady. Look, this is more than the biggest racing day of the year, it's an all day commercial for the sport -- a sport that already screwed itself sideways in the '50s and '60s by refusing to embrace the medium of television.

I look forward to the network race productions during Triple Crown season. Other than Breeder's Cup, it's the only time of year you can watch the sport being treated like the major sporting event it should be. Sure, I do my handicapping and watch the board at home on the computer, but how does anyone say with a straight face the race itself is not simply awesome in HD with all the different angles and cutaways to the human drama?

[dean smith]

Sorry about tossing the "lady" in there. That may have been borderline disprespectful. I don't mean to be that. I just think the network's coverage helps create new fans. People who aren't passionate fans (yet) don't want to hear a roundtable discussion by five sweaty public handicappers about pace meltdowns and Tomlinson ratings. No one wants to watch or listen to something over their head. Using said restaurant as another example, today my employees -- "forced" to watch all day Derby coverage began asking me questions about the sport, which was great (got to be big shot knowitall all day). They seemed to love it. There's a good chance a few will be tagging along with my brother the next time he hits up Raceway Park. Of the two guys that go with him, both will love it and one of them will probably go back on his own again. Eventually, that one guy will bring a few of his other buddies. All will have a good time, and one of those guys will come back again... etc.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by dean smith

Sorry about tossing the "lady" in there. That may have been borderline disprespectful. I don't mean to be that. I just think the network's coverage helps create new fans. People who aren't passionate fans (yet) don't want to hear a roundtable discussion by five sweaty public handicappers about pace meltdowns and Tomlinson ratings. No one wants to watch or listen to something over their head. Using said restaurant as another example, today my employees -- "forced" to watch all day Derby coverage began asking me questions about the sport, which was great (got to be big shot knowitall all day). They seemed to love it. There's a good chance a few will be tagging along with my brother the next time he hits up Raceway Park. Of the two guys that go with him, both will love it and one of them will probably go back on his own again. Eventually, that one guy will bring a few of his other buddies. All will have a good time, and one of those guys will come back again... etc.

if this garbage they show is going to bring in more fans, which is what i keep hearing, when will that start to occur? hasn't happened in the last 20 years.

[herkhorse]

One thing I did like was after the race there were 2 or 3 minutes where no one said anything and they just showed Calvin and "the scene" of the Derby. Almost made you feel like you were there.

[Buckpasser]

This from the NY Times today...

Women, who made up 52 percent of last year’s Derby viewership, have become crucial to boosting viewership.

Last year, NBC attracted 16.3 million viewers, the most in 20 years, to see the 50-1 long shot Mine That Bird win the Derby. When Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness, 10.9 million watched, the second most in 20 years.

“They’ve changed the way horse racing is presented,” said Evans, alluding to NBC’s Derby production and the series of pre-Derby prep races around the country that Churchill Downs and the network have collaborated on.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/sp...tml?ref=sports

[dean smith]

Originally Posted by Danzig

if this garbage they show is going to bring in more fans, which is what i keep hearing, when will that start to occur? hasn't happened in the last 20 years.

Ah, but then what does racing do with this once-a-year exposure? Nothing. Maybe that's the real problem. The sport's popularity peaks at the Derby, sharply declines through the Triple Crown series (unless, of course, a possible TC winner is headed to the Belmont), and then momentum abruptly halts as summer hits. Why horse racing doesn't put together three or four "supercards" (like the BC) and run them every three or four months to maintain momentum (Grand Slam of horse racing, anyone?) is beyond me...

[dean smith]

Of course, when I talk about momentum halting, I'm talking about the eyes of the casual fan, or the potential "real fan" -- and gambler -- who WOULD add to track attendance and handle eventually. Obviously, all of us are loving it year 'round.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by dean smith

So you don't think celebrities, background stories and slick television production matter to the "casual" fan? That's simply a wrong opinion to have, lady. Look, this is more than the biggest racing day of the year, it's an all day commercial for the sport -- a sport that already screwed itself sideways in the '50s and '60s by refusing to embrace the medium of television.

I look forward to the network race productions during Triple Crown season. Other than Breeder's Cup, it's the only time of year you can watch the sport being treated like the major sporting event it should be. Sure, I do my handicapping and watch the board at home on the computer, but how does anyone say with a straight face the race itself is not simply awesome in HD with all the different angles and cutaways to the human drama?

The problem is that horseracing does not derive its revenue in the same manner as other televised sports. Casual baseball fans may be motivated to attend a few games, buy some merchandise, follow a hometown team on the local tv/radio network, etc. None of that is a signifigant source of income for horseracing. We depend on gambling, for better or worse. The network is simply catering to the viewers it believes will create the highest ratings while using the telecast to promote other network shows. The exposure that racing gets is for televised events is nice but I dont know that the human interest stories or different camera angles contribute an iota to creating the new "fans that we need, the ones that gamble. The dude that won the 100k probably turned more lights on in potential fans that racing needs by promoting the best aspect of horseracing, the ability to make money.

[Riot]

The problem is that horseracing does not derive its revenue in the same manner as other televised sports.

We know that. That doesn't mean the NBC telecast for casual fans shouldn't exist, or isn't of benefit, in my book.

The dude that won the 100k probably turned more lights on in potential fans that racing needs by promoting the best aspect of horseracing, the ability to make money

The ability to make money gambling in horseracing is vastly overrated.

That contest was a great addition, with the PR miracle being he won (although SS was the horse most likely to run his race in the eyes of many - good choice on his part).

But that was about 10 minutes of the entire broadcast. Glad it wasn't the only part. I don't need a two hour commercial for buying lottery tickets or going to the casino. That's not the reason why I love horse racing, never was, never will be.

[Buffymommy]

I love the show Top Chef. Do I want to see it while watching the Kentucky Derby? NO.

I also didn't give a flying flip about how the lady's dress was picked out for her to wear on air.

I would rather hear about the horses. Not necessarily the gambling aspect of it. But maybe the human interest part of the horses. Tell me more about the female trainer trying to become the first woman trainer to win a derby. Tell me about the horses, trainers or owners. I don't give a FLIP what anyone is wearing. Put that on a show like "10 ten dresses at the Derby" on Bravo. But I will say it gave me a break to go get a drink or a bite to eat.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Riot

We know that. That doesn't mean the NBC telecast for casual fans shouldn't exist, or isn't of benefit, in my book.



The ability to make money gambling in horseracing is vastly overrated.

That contest was a great addition, with the PR miracle being he won (although SS was the horse most likely to run his race in the eyes of many - good choice on his part).

But that was about 10 minutes of the entire broadcast. Glad it wasn't the only part. I don't need a two hour commercial for buying lottery tickets or going to the casino. That's not the reason why I love horse racing, never was, never will be.

Oh boy.

Point 1- I didnt say that the telecast should be focused on gambling. I made the point that the focus on the human interest stories and other crap wont translate into "making" the type of fan that racing needs to succeed. Like it or not fans that don't gamble are just not important to the sport on a day to day basis because those types only focus on the few big events a year and dont really bring much revenue to the table.

Point 2- The allure of horseracing is the gambling, be it by wagering or owning horses. That fact is that the industry failed to capitalize on for years prior to gambling becoming more socially acceptable. For years the "leaders" of the industry tried to not focus on the gambling aspect of the game. Obviously this misfired as other forms of gambling become more popular. think poker exploded because of Phil Hellmuth's personality?

The truth is that the telecast or its focus is really meaningless in the big picture, just as the NFL's pregame shows are hardly what is remembered after the games are over.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Like it or not fans that don't gamble are just not important to the sport on a day to day basis because those types only focus on the few big events a year and dont really bring much revenue to the table.

I agree with a lot of what you said but not with this part in a roundabout way.

I mean you are right here but the thing is these "fans", the once a year types, if they're not the main group who should be targeted who is?

The Nielsens are a joke. A dinosaur. I don't believe X million watched because they're as outdated as vhs tapes but whatever the true number is? The real X million? They need to be brought in.

Food and clothes... what is that, an effort to cater to women? That's insulting.

I refuse to be grateful that there's any coverage when it's this much of a joke.

Portray racing as what it was or what we want it to be. Show it as a mental puzzle, a physical thing of beauty, the sport of kings for God sake... a little bit of grandure left over from a century ago. There'e history, excitement... profit. That part is hard to show but the thing is if it's not shoved down peoples throats... if you get them hooked they WILL (I feel like tfm when I do that ) bet. Most of them anyway.

... and they'll bet more and more...

Every once in a while I'll post that I'm from the Smarty era. This sounds stupid but it's true, it's my truth, and I know quite a few people who, like me, had zero interest in horse racing until the one two punch... Seabiscuit and Smarty.

With racing-themed tv shows and films coming out this is the perfect time to attract new fans and what happens? It's treated like some secondary reason for a talk show. It's outrageous and almost degrading. LIke I said I didn't watch this year but I've watched enough in the past to know that the race is one of the last things that's focused on.

If we can't get new people, new bettors, from this audience interested, where do they come from? The occassional couple of people who are brought to the track to experience it?

It's a nice thought but it's not going to bring in the numbers racing needs.

TV is still good for a few things which is why it's so f****** aggravating when it's done in such a manner as the NBC broadcasts always seem to be.

I don't know... maybe some savvy industry professionals could step up and demand that NBC (at least) take note. It doesn't mean they will but at least make them aware of the problem with their ridiculous broadcast. It's a first step...

[dean smith]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

think poker exploded because of Phil Hellmuth's personality?

Poker didn't explode because of Phil Hellmuth's personality. And it didn't explode because they decided to shine a light on the gambling aspect, either. Every idiot born yesterday knows that poker is gambling and always has been.

Poker exploded for one reason and one reason only: They found new and interesting ways to televise it and ESPN put it on the air....a lot. Television then educated the public and after a few episodes, every middle-aged man and college frat boy in America thought he was Doyle Brunson. Luckily, there was plenty of opportunity for them to put their money where their mouths were -- on their ADW Internet wagering sites.