NBC Coverage

[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...

Frank Stronach was on the right path when he had those Frank's drink bimbos at Gulfstream. Bring more hot women to the track and that will bring guys who get drunk. Drunk = higher probability of gambling.

Pi.ss on the fashion shows. Put hot women in bikinis and they will cu...err come.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Frank Stronach was on the right path when he had those Frank's drink bimbos at Gulfstream. Bring more hot women to the track and that will bring guys who get drunk. Drunk = higher probability of gambling.

Pi.ss on the fashion shows. Put hot women in bikinis and they will cu...err come.

Forget what I said. This will work.

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Frank Stronach was on the right path when he had those Frank's drink bimbos at Gulfstream. Bring more hot women to the track and that will bring guys who get drunk. Drunk = higher probability of gambling.

Pi.ss on the fashion shows. Put hot women in bikinis and they will cu...err come.

You may be on to something.

[Buffymommy]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Frank Stronach was on the right path when he had those Frank's drink bimbos at Gulfstream. Bring more hot women to the track and that will bring guys who get drunk. Drunk = higher probability of gambling.

Pi.ss on the fashion shows. Put hot women in bikinis and they will cu...err come.

Why don't we just get cheerleaders for each race? Gulfstream Gals; Churchill chicks; Santa Anita Sluts, etc...

THEN you will cu... errr come.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by Buffymommy

Why don't we just get cheerleaders for each race? Gulfstream Gals; Churchill chicks; Santa Anita Sluts, etc...

THEN you will cu... errr come.

How about the Suffolk Downs Suckfuk go Downers?

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

How about the Suffolk Downs Suckfuk go Downers?

A gentleman and a scholar, as I've already said.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Frank Stronach was on the right path when he had those Frank's drink bimbos at Gulfstream. Bring more hot women to the track and that will bring guys who get drunk. Drunk = higher probability of gambling.

Pi.ss on the fashion shows. Put hot women in bikinis and they will cu...err come.

NBC coverage started at 4.. race didnt start til 630. There is only so much "human uninterested in their stories" out there. I personally am a fan of showing hot chicks in dresses for 2 hours. Though I agree with your suggestion more.

[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.

[rpncaine]

Chris Moneymaker didn't hurt. That's when I think it went ballistic. That dude hitting SS with $100K was good publicity. I didn't see any of the network news this weekend, I just wonder if it got any attention on that?

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

My Wife, who could care less about horse racing, watched the entire ESPN broadcast, formulated her own opinion based on what she saw... and hit the Exacta and Tri.... She went to the track with me (for the first time as a horseplayer) today for the closing of TBD... Just sayin'....

GTFO... that is great! That is how you create a horseplayer.

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

How about the Suffolk Downs Suckfuk go Downers?

Originally Posted by rpncaine

Chris Moneymaker didn't hurt. That's when I think it went ballistic. That dude hitting SS with $100K was good publicity. I didn't see any of the network news this weekend, I just wonder if it got any attention on that?

It hit some news stands, my mother saw it in her papers this morning (Buffalo News, Rochester D&C) but the dumbfuks reporting didn't even do due diligence on the story- they reported it as "some guy walking around with briefcase full of $100k in cash", not that it was a CNBC contest that he won the opportunity to bet.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by dean smith

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.

Poker is pure gambling. Nothing else, nothing more. The millions of people that played poker after the exposure were looking to gamble anyway, they werent brainwashed into it.

TV educated the public about the strategy being used which is basically the gambling aspect. I understand that three live shows weeks apart on Saturday afternoons in the Spring isnt the same as edited wall to wall coverage. And i understand that NBC or ABC or ESPN is under no obligation to educate people on anything. But the idea that someone is sparked to bet on the races by flowery interviews or human interest stories versus someone winning a couple hundred dollars is flawed.

[blackthroatedwind]

Perhaps an attempt to explain why people like certain horses, and why they don't like others, could enlighten people a little about what is so interesting about handicapping that many people devote their lives to it's pursuit. There are many stories within a race.....surely some of these could be interesting.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Perhaps an attempt to explain why people like certain horses, and why they don't like others, could enlighten people a little about what is so interesting about handicapping that many people devote their lives to it's pursuit. There are many stories within a race.....surely some of these could be interesting.

You think its entertaining to broadcast why expert A thinks horse B is better then horse C..For whom the diehard horse guy? I think the average joe or Joette wants to see and hear Nick Lachey or some hot babe in a hat or some human interest story about a lemonade stand. The issue is the Derby needs to be on a Network that caters to Horse Racing, then the broadcast could be honed to horse players. While it's on main stream TV..Pack up the Sackatoga Buss storys

How horrendously dry and fruitless is listening to Randy Moss during the BC, not to me or horse racing diehards but to my sister who goes to SA three times a year? How is my sister going to follow a single thought (no matter how qualified) Moss is offering?

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by freddymo

How is my sister going to follow a single thought (no matter how qualified) Moss is offering?

Good question.

Does she happen to have a brain?

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by freddymo

You think its entertaining to broadcast why expert A thinks horse B is better then horse C..For whom the diehard horse guy? I think the average joe or Joette wants to see and hear Nick Lachey or some hot babe in a hat or some human interest story about a lemonade stand. The issue is the Derby needs to be on a Network that caters to Horse Racing, then the broadcast could be honed to horse players. While it's on main stream TV..Pack up the Sackatoga Buss storys

How horrendously dry and fruitless is listening to Randy Moss during the BC, not to me or horse racing diehards but to my sister who goes to SA three times a year? How is my sister going to follow a single thought (no matter how qualified) Moss is offering?

Believe me, I get it, but perhaps some give and take?

In my opinion, you will not ever create new fans without at least offering the possibility of teaching or grabbing someone's interest by offering a possible hook. These shows are more interesting to the people who won't be supporting the game.....but what good does that do for us? Yes, I see why it may suit another agenda....just not mine.

[Linny]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Perhaps an attempt to explain why people like certain horses, and why they don't like others, could enlighten people a little about what is so interesting about handicapping that many people devote their lives to it's pursuit. There are many stories within a race.....surely some of these could be interesting.

You mean there's more to it that who designed the hat the owners wife wore to the Derby luncheon? To think I've been handicapping hats all these years....