Quote:
Originally Posted by asudevil
Despite some of the usual fluff, I thought NBC continues to improve the telecast. Racing regulars must keep in mind that the network has to keep it real simple (dumbed down) for the general public. Their informational graphics, for instance, are always improving. Example...A side by side explanation of who has run in the slop and who's pedigree favored off tracks was very clean and easy. Hammond, Bailey, and Moss look very comfortable. Although some may find her annoying, Michelle Beadle's piece on race calling was great. Folks got to see the perspective from Larry's booth where they actually had him calling a live race. I do agree that a little more gambling education, incorporated into the broadcast, could be a facilitator for potential players.
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I 100% disagree with the highlighted part. NBC
chooses to dumb it down. In my opinion, this is the exact opposite of what we should be doing as an industry. John Madden explained football to the masses. We could do that as well. A ten minute segment, with a telestrator, taking apart key points of the Derby preps, would have greatly enlightened viewers, and enhanced their viewing pleasure by making them understand what was going on. The most interesting part of our game are the actual races, which is especially true of a 20 horse KY Derby, yet we don't even give the audience a chance to understand what they are watching.
Is the concept that a fast pace hurts the horses up front, and thus helps the horses from way back, too difficult for viewers too understand? I don't think so, but unless we take the time to explain this, and demonstrate it, we won't even get the audience thinking about it. In my opinion, we waste a lot of time by both incorrectly identifying our potential audience, and failing to take any advantage of the opportunity to educate them. We will never truly grow our fan base in a meaningful way by continuing in this direction.