Derby TV Ratings

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Riot

Hate to say it, but I think increased ratings were because of what happened to Eight Belles and Barbaro. Something emotional and terrible happens that's talked about around the water cooler, people want to see it first hand.

Luckily, instead this year they saw a feel-good "anyman" story, Borel crying for missing his momma and daddy, a pair of cowboys doing good, etc.

I do think its really cool that the cowboys had a lot of respect for Barbaro and that story and put the roses on the statue and then handed them out to hundreds of "fans".

I wonder if that has happened before? giving ALL the roses out?

[sumitas]

Originally Posted by Riot

Hate to say it, but I think increased ratings were because of what happened to Eight Belles and Barbaro. Something emotional and terrible happens that's talked about around the water cooler, people want to see it first hand.

Luckily, instead this year they saw a feel-good "anyman" story, Borel crying for missing his momma and daddy, a pair of cowboys doing good, etc.

Break downs are good for ratings ? That is a whole new angle that I cannot agree with .

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by sumitas

Break downs are good for ratings ? That is a whole new angle that I cannot agree with .

I agree with her that the recent break downs brought more attention to the sport. That could have something to do with the ratings... it was probably more of a case that weather was poor lots of places and there wasnt much else on tv.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by sumitas

Break downs are good for ratings ? That is a whole new angle that I cannot agree with .

Please refer to the old saying, "If it bleeds it leads"and virtually every news show ever.

Not good for the sport, but good for ratings for the TV network.