NBC Coverage

[dean smith]

Sorry about tossing the "lady" in there. That may have been borderline disprespectful. I don't mean to be that. I just think the network's coverage helps create new fans. People who aren't passionate fans (yet) don't want to hear a roundtable discussion by five sweaty public handicappers about pace meltdowns and Tomlinson ratings. No one wants to watch or listen to something over their head. Using said restaurant as another example, today my employees -- "forced" to watch all day Derby coverage began asking me questions about the sport, which was great (got to be big shot knowitall all day). They seemed to love it. There's a good chance a few will be tagging along with my brother the next time he hits up Raceway Park. Of the two guys that go with him, both will love it and one of them will probably go back on his own again. Eventually, that one guy will bring a few of his other buddies. All will have a good time, and one of those guys will come back again... etc.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by dean smith

Sorry about tossing the "lady" in there. That may have been borderline disprespectful. I don't mean to be that. I just think the network's coverage helps create new fans. People who aren't passionate fans (yet) don't want to hear a roundtable discussion by five sweaty public handicappers about pace meltdowns and Tomlinson ratings. No one wants to watch or listen to something over their head. Using said restaurant as another example, today my employees -- "forced" to watch all day Derby coverage began asking me questions about the sport, which was great (got to be big shot knowitall all day). They seemed to love it. There's a good chance a few will be tagging along with my brother the next time he hits up Raceway Park. Of the two guys that go with him, both will love it and one of them will probably go back on his own again. Eventually, that one guy will bring a few of his other buddies. All will have a good time, and one of those guys will come back again... etc.

if this garbage they show is going to bring in more fans, which is what i keep hearing, when will that start to occur? hasn't happened in the last 20 years.

[herkhorse]

One thing I did like was after the race there were 2 or 3 minutes where no one said anything and they just showed Calvin and "the scene" of the Derby. Almost made you feel like you were there.

[Buckpasser]

This from the NY Times today...

Women, who made up 52 percent of last year’s Derby viewership, have become crucial to boosting viewership.

Last year, NBC attracted 16.3 million viewers, the most in 20 years, to see the 50-1 long shot Mine That Bird win the Derby. When Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness, 10.9 million watched, the second most in 20 years.

“They’ve changed the way horse racing is presented,” said Evans, alluding to NBC’s Derby production and the series of pre-Derby prep races around the country that Churchill Downs and the network have collaborated on.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/sp...tml?ref=sports

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Buckpasser

This from the NY Times today...

Women, who made up 52 percent of last year’s Derby viewership, have become crucial to boosting viewership.

Last year, NBC attracted 16.3 million viewers, the most in 20 years, to see the 50-1 long shot Mine That Bird win the Derby. When Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness, 10.9 million watched, the second most in 20 years.

“They’ve changed the way horse racing is presented,” said Evans, alluding to NBC’s Derby production and the series of pre-Derby prep races around the country that Churchill Downs and the network have collaborated on.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/sp...tml?ref=sports

it's a sport that i can see women liking. i know i do...which is why i wish they'd focus more on the racing part of it. show some of the previous races from the horses, show them on the backside while talking to the trainers. if you get women interested in the actual racing, and not 'i'm wearing an outfit by so and so', you might see a return in future.

BUT, thing is, they want viewership, not more folks going to the track. nbc isn't in it to boost handle or attendance.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Danzig

it's a sport that i can see women liking. i know i do...which is why i wish they'd focus more on the racing part of it.

Exactly.

I had NBC on for about two minutes and couldn't take it.

Pure torture.

[Alan07]

The Kentucky Derby's television ratings are the highest in 18 years.

NBC says Saturday's coverage of Calvin Borel riding Super Saver to victory for the third time in four years drew a 10.3 overnight rating and a 23 share. That's up 1 percent from last year's 10.2/22, when 16.3 million viewers made 50-1 shot Mine That Bird's win the most-watched Derby in 20 years.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Exactly.

I had NBC on for about two minutes and couldn't take it.

Pure torture.

women, in general, arent gamblers (besides penny slots). Of course there are exceptions. But when you go to a casino or race track.. its men that are doing the gambling. The women you can find playing the penny slots.. the men are losing $4000 playing poker and black jack & pick 3's.

The way to get the girls to tune in to the Derby, is to show the other stuff. If the Derby coverage was basically a simulcast feed, nobody would watch it.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Danzig

it's a sport that i can see women liking. i know i do...which is why i wish they'd focus more on the racing part of it. show some of the previous races from the horses, show them on the backside while talking to the trainers. if you get women interested in the actual racing, and not 'i'm wearing an outfit by so and so', you might see a return in future.

BUT, thing is, they want viewership, not more folks going to the track. nbc isn't in it to boost handle or attendance.

but you arent the typical "woman".. I mean your family vacations are centered around watching big russian guys check other big canadian guys into walls and gambling on ponies. You are like the coolest woman in the world.

typical "women" who watch the Derby (and Derby only) do it for the hats, dresses, and parties.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

but you arent the typical "woman".. I mean your family vacations are centered around watching big russian guys check other big canadian guys into walls and gambling on ponies. You are like the coolest woman in the world.
typical "women" who watch the Derby (and Derby only) do it for the hats, dresses, and parties.

lol
no, i'm not typical-and thanks so much!! i can't wait til the next years schedule comes out so i can see if i can combine a hockey game into our trip to ky for the bc.

[dean smith]

Originally Posted by Danzig

if this garbage they show is going to bring in more fans, which is what i keep hearing, when will that start to occur? hasn't happened in the last 20 years.

Ah, but then what does racing do with this once-a-year exposure? Nothing. Maybe that's the real problem. The sport's popularity peaks at the Derby, sharply declines through the Triple Crown series (unless, of course, a possible TC winner is headed to the Belmont), and then momentum abruptly halts as summer hits. Why horse racing doesn't put together three or four "supercards" (like the BC) and run them every three or four months to maintain momentum (Grand Slam of horse racing, anyone?) is beyond me...

[dean smith]

Of course, when I talk about momentum halting, I'm talking about the eyes of the casual fan, or the potential "real fan" -- and gambler -- who WOULD add to track attendance and handle eventually. Obviously, all of us are loving it year 'round.

[Danzig]

i still say the best way to make new fans is squarely on our shoulders, not some bimbet from nbc. take your friends, your co-workers, your kids to the track. there's only one of me, but i created three more fans just with my kids.