Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Travis Stone
I really never understand the knocking of ABC, NBC or anyones coverage of horse racing.
ESPN is ESPN, not ESPN OTB. ABC is ABC, and not ABC OTB.
They put horse racing on the air to entertain general audiences in addition to racing fans. General audiences could care less about who ran fourth, they want to know who just won the race.
The same argument applies to their camera angles. To a non-racing fan, the pan shot is BORING.
They correctly assume the majority of people who are serious bettors are not on their couch but at a track or an OTB. The majority of people watching horse racing on a day like the Belmont are 3x a year race watchers and they are watching to be entertained, not informed.
|
I think Travis is right on here. I also have experienced the frustration that has been expressed here. But the networks pay a substantial fee for the broadcast rights, for that reason they do have a right to demand some exlcusivity.
Whenever a network broadcasts an event they are trying to cater to a much broader market then even ESPN does.
These Triple Crown events need a much publicity as possible. Getting new fans to the game and real exposure in the very crowded world of sports television is probably worth the price for not getting prices on a timely basis or missing a race or two.
Overall, I think the networks do a pretty good job for what they are trying to do. You have to remember they are not after hard core racing fans.