ESPN Dropping More Horse Races

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I didn't even know ESPN still televised the Preakness undercard...and after finding out I can't believe it took them this long to drop it.

NT

They are waiting for the Preakness at Timonium before the pick it up again.

[Travis Stone]

Horse racing has the unbelievable advantage of having its own network... times two! While HRTV is not quite as widespread as TVG, horse racing should be taking advantage of it. The prudent thing to do would be for the industry to buy TVG and then we'd have our own NFL or MLB network type setup...

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Horse racing has the unbelievable advantage of having its own network... times two! While HRTV is not quite as widespread as TVG, horse racing should be taking advantage of it. The prudent thing to do would be for the industry to buy TVG and then we'd have our own NFL or MLB network type setup...

Who exactly is " the industry? "

[sdjcom]

many people cannot afford to purchase these telecast, so cancellation of any racing either cable or regular tv will keep some racing from public view. let me add i would love to see live full-day radio broadcasts from race tracks like in the hey day of racing

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Who exactly is " the industry? "

The $1 million question.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Horse racing has the unbelievable advantage of having its own network... times two! While HRTV is not quite as widespread as TVG, horse racing should be taking advantage of it. The prudent thing to do would be for the industry to buy TVG and then we'd have our own NFL or MLB network type setup...

In order for the NFL Network or the MLB Network to happen you have to have the NFL or the MLB. The NTRA surely isn't going to buy a network like TVG, especially considering they're busy with the Safety Alliance and other essential elements of the game.

NT

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Horse racing has the unbelievable advantage of having its own network... times two! While HRTV is not quite as widespread as TVG, horse racing should be taking advantage of it. The prudent thing to do would be for the industry to buy TVG and then we'd have our own NFL or MLB network type setup...

Comparing the MLB and NFL to racing is so incredibly far-fetched, I don't know where to begin.

Even if some national racing entity bought TVG, how will that dramatically change anything?

I just don't believe that some stakes races without much context on ESPN does much of anything. I don't think it increases handle or a fan base that is going to wager. In previous years, they showed the Murmur Farms Maryland Starter Handicap. A $35,000 restricted overnight race. For what?

Hours and hours of live TV is dramatically expensive and while I cannot quantify it, my personal opinion is that it does relatively little to impact the national awareness of racing.

After several years of showing plenty of coverage on ESPN and its family of networks, if they've said - "the heck with it" - so be it.

Originally Posted by PatCummings

Comparing the MLB and NFL to racing is so incredibly far-fetched, I don't know where to begin.

Even if some national racing entity bought TVG, how will that dramatically change anything?

I just don't believe that some stakes races without much context on ESPN does much of anything. I don't think it increases handle or a fan base that is going to wager. In previous years, they showed the Murmur Farms Maryland Starter Handicap. A $35,000 restricted overnight race. For what?

Hours and hours of live TV is dramatically expensive and while I cannot quantify it, my personal opinion is that it does relatively little to impact the national awareness of racing.
After several years of showing plenty of coverage on ESPN and its family of networks, if they've said - "the heck with it" - so be it.

If the sport was actually popular there would be
context and consistency. When TV has something
they think will be of interest, they go with it.
Horse racing fills a few gaps in time. It is a curiousity
now, like some wood chopping event on the Wide World
of Sports.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by pgardn

If the sport was actually popular there would be
context and consistency. When TV has something
they think will be of interest, they go with it.
Horse racing fills a few gaps in time. It is a curiousity
now, like some wood chopping event on the Wide World
of Sports.

I preferred the barrel jumping....

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

Comparing the MLB and NFL to racing is so incredibly far-fetched, I don't know where to begin.

Even if some national racing entity bought TVG, how will that dramatically change anything?

Hours and hours of live TV is dramatically expensive and while I cannot quantify it, my personal opinion is that it does relatively little to impact the national awareness of racing.

Comparing benefits of an industry controlled TV network by saying the starter handicap on ESPN doesn't do "much of anything" is flawed. And comparison of MLB or NFL to horse racing in this regard is far-fetched how? From a TV scheduling perspective, horse racing is actually MORE equipped due to the number of events each day and consistency of daily programming. I'm not sure what plausible argument could be made there.

You actually, in a way, support my theory by saying it's "dramatically expensive/little impact". A horse racing TV channel run by horse racing dramatically change things in numerous positive ways including, but not limited to, exposure, general marketing of the sport, specific marketing of the sport, open content, big race coverage, consistent coverage, live coverage, industry-wide support versus fragmented portions etc. etc. etc.

For example, imagine this: An "industry" run not-for-profit ADW which uses a wide-spread network to broadcast/show races.

The NTRA buying TV time on ESPN ultimately just gives people a reason to complain about unique and exciting camera angles. The goal going in is question -- increase exposure? Create interest? The problem is there is no specific way to gauge whether or not it works. There are no metrics for which to measure its success. And does a few hours here or there really move people to join the game? Doubtful.

If the goal is to just keep horse racing mainstream and give the perception it's still a player in the major sports world, it makes more sense. I would counter-argue, however, that a 24-hour well-run industry network with 35% reach would speak more to potential customers than a few hours on ESPN with 100% reach.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

\
For example, imagine this: An "industry" run not-for-profit ADW which uses a wide-spread network to broadcast/show races.

Imagine this as well: Pink "unicorns" bringing you a hot breakfast every morning and Papa Smurf making you a delectable cappuccino and giving you a handjob.

[MaTH716]

Obviously it's not good for the sport to lose exposure, but I personally don't think that it's really a big deal. Really, how many non betting/novice people are sitting there watching the continuous coverage of the undercard? Lets face it for every hour of coverage, what do you get 3-4 minutes of actual racing? They are going to sit there for all those great features? If they are interested they will tune in for the big race, but to think these people will go out of there way to be there/watch a race on the undercard is crazy. The regulars or anyone who plays on any sort of regular basis has their setup on how they watch and wager, so they aren't going to be affected. It's just not that big of a deal.

[SOREHOOF]

I enjoyed the all day coverage. Easier for a group of people to gather around a T.V. than a computer screen. Plus lots of time between races to grill up some chow. My friends and I would sometimes go to a neighborhood bar and commandeer the T.V. there. What races are they cutting out of the Derby telecast?

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Obviously it's not good for the sport to lose exposure, but I personally don't think that it's really a big deal. Really, how many non betting/novice people are sitting there watching the continuous coverage of the undercard? Lets face it for every hour of coverage, what do you get 3-4 minutes of actual racing? They are going to sit there for all those great features? If they are interested they will tune in for the big race, but to think these people will go out of there way to be there/watch a race on the undercard is crazy. The regulars or anyone who plays on any sort of regular basis has their setup on how they watch and wager, so they aren't going to be affected. It's just not that big of a deal.

Definitely not a made for TV sport.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

Imagine this as well: Pink "unicorns" bringing you a hot breakfast every morning and Papa Smurf making you a delectable cappuccino and giving you a handjob.

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

Imagine this as well: Pink "unicorns" bringing you a hot breakfast every morning and Papa Smurf making you a delectable cappuccino and giving you a handjob.