#1
|
||||
|
||||
Crist Article on TV Coverage
As usual Steve Crist says what I think most racing fans have been thinking for years... Where are the networks? They'll put some fool doing back flips with his motorcycle on TV and show reruns of poker tournaments, but can't make room to show Rachel take on the boys and Mind That Bird in the WV Derby...
http://www.drf.com/drfNewsArticle.do...7&subs=0&arc=0 |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
"To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize"...Voltaire |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
"Always keep your heads up and act like champions." Coach Paul Bryant |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
The real horses of the year (1986-2020) Manila, Java Gold, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Go for Wand, In Excess, Paseana, Kotashaan, Holy Bull, Cigar, Alphabet Soup, Formal Gold, Skip Away, Artax, Tiznow, Point Given, Azeri, Candy Ride, Smarty Jones, Ghostzapper, Invasor, Curlin, Zenyatta, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Havre de Grace, Wise Dan, Wise Dan, California Chrome, American Pharoah, Arrogate, Gun Runner, Accelerate, Maximum Security, Gamine |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
"To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize"...Voltaire |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
I'm not convinced that its the fault of the networks why it is not on tv.
|
#7
|
||||
|
||||
A little over three years ago, I was flipping through the channels and I decided to watch the Florida Derby. I didn't know anything about horse racing. Some horse name Barbaro was suppose to be pretty good...I had heard. Not sure why, but I happened to watch the tv coverage and race. Barbaro and Sharp Humor blew me away. It wouldn't be hyperbole to say it was a watershed event in my life.
Three years later, I care enough to post messages on a horse racing forum, I became a Dee Tee partner and I go to the track/OTB a few times a month. I love this game. If I wouldn't have watched that race on that random day, I may not have discovered how wonderful this game is. I'm an optimist and I think somehow it needs to get on TV so more people can have the opportunity to see how amazing this sport is. |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
|
#9
|
||||
|
||||
The thing is, it doesn't happen to enough of you to justify what you want. You may also have HRTV or TVG on your cable package and don't know it if you aren't a racing fan and aren't looking for it.
__________________
The real horses of the year (1986-2020) Manila, Java Gold, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Go for Wand, In Excess, Paseana, Kotashaan, Holy Bull, Cigar, Alphabet Soup, Formal Gold, Skip Away, Artax, Tiznow, Point Given, Azeri, Candy Ride, Smarty Jones, Ghostzapper, Invasor, Curlin, Zenyatta, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Havre de Grace, Wise Dan, Wise Dan, California Chrome, American Pharoah, Arrogate, Gun Runner, Accelerate, Maximum Security, Gamine |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
espn can show the eddie read but not the haskell? that's just stupid.
|
#11
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Likewise with the drop to 11% (?) at Pimlico. (I can't remember the details of the Pimlico takeout promo). --Dunbar
__________________
Curlin and Hard Spun finish 1,2 in the 2007 BC Classic, demonstrating how competing in all three Triple Crown races ruins a horse for the rest of the year...see avatar photo from REUTERS/Lucas Jackson |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
|
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
|
#14
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
"To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize"...Voltaire |
#15
|
||||
|
||||
most young people think Horseracing is boring. If you look at it from their point of view, you can see why. The action isn't all that exciting. Once in a while a great stretch duel happens, but most finishes are dull, and the race itself is BOR-ING if you lack the nuances or a stake in the action.
the game of horseplaying is a lot more exciting than the sport of horseracing. The future of TV coverage is to broadcast the game. The only time horseracing should be even possibly shown as a separate historical sport, is maybe a race like the Kentucky Derby that has established history. Broadcasting the game of horseplaying includes tournament play where the audience buys in and plays along in Real Time, for something like a $10 buy in $20 bankroll over several races and competes live with on screen"experts" who play along and are "naked" with over the shoulder coverage/strategy explanations. Significant prizes and name-on-screen top rankings are a big part of that future. Night racing with prime time hours is a must. These same young men who are bored to death with the sport of horseracing also have a poker account and have made wagers on pro football, boxing, or even UFC fights. They have played fantasy football or other sports with a buy-in fee. It's time to wake up and broadcast this awesome game and stop wasting resources broadcasting a niche sport. |
#16
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I put about 3k through Ellis Pick Four that summer, so on that take it was only about 150 bucks but it sure beat the nothing I would have wagered. In 2005 I put 100k through the windows, last year I put about 5k, I assure you it had nothing to do with good horses in the sport, it only cost horseman around 17k by my not playing, no big deal, I am small time.
__________________
"To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize"...Voltaire |
#17
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
"To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize"...Voltaire |
#18
|
||||
|
||||
TV coverage doesn't do much to attract fans. 99.9% of the casual fans that I work with watched MTB win the Derby and RA win the Preakness don't want to go to the track with me. But those that have never been to a track that have gone with me have shown more interest. In fact, the ones that went to the track come to me will go to Kentucky Downs at least once a month.
The same happened to me. I never really cared much for horse racing until I physically went to the track. The atmosphere (good and bad) was much better than sitting on my couch watching from afar.
__________________
"Success does not consist in never making blunders, but in never making the same one a second time." - Josh Billings |
#19
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
|
#20
|
|||
|
|||
ESPN has no one to blame but itself if ratings on racing broadcasts have declined. The network's telecasts, particularly the actual races with camera cuts every 4-5 seconds, have made racing unwatchable. And I won't even address some of the talent, or lack thereof, issues. If the Breeders' Cup doesn't get out of its multi-year ESPN contract quickly, fans will need a search warrant to find those races on one of the network's branded channels within a year or two.
|