NBC Coverage

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by freddymo

You think its entertaining to broadcast why expert A thinks horse B is better then horse C..For whom the diehard horse guy? I think the average joe or Joette wants to see and hear Nick Lachey or some hot babe in a hat or some human interest story about a lemonade stand. The issue is the Derby needs to be on a Network that caters to Horse Racing, then the broadcast could be honed to horse players. While it's on main stream TV..Pack up the Sackatoga Buss storys

How horrendously dry and fruitless is listening to Randy Moss during the BC, not to me or horse racing diehards but to my sister who goes to SA three times a year? How is my sister going to follow a single thought (no matter how qualified) Moss is offering?

Believe me, I get it, but perhaps some give and take?

In my opinion, you will not ever create new fans without at least offering the possibility of teaching or grabbing someone's interest by offering a possible hook. These shows are more interesting to the people who won't be supporting the game.....but what good does that do for us? Yes, I see why it may suit another agenda....just not mine.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Believe me, I get it, but perhaps some give and take?

In my opinion, you will not ever create new fans without at least offering the possibility of teaching or grabbing someone's interest by offering a possible hook. These shows are more interesting to the people who won't be supporting the game.....but what good does that do for us? Yes, I see why it may suit another agenda....just not mine.

The ESPN broadcast is OK even if Bailey is unbearable. People (non race fans) seem to want to watch the Derby hence the good ratings this year in perhaps the most dreadful Derby in quite some time. As long as they can sell spots for good money on Network TV the day is doomed for more of the same recipe. Why would they change it? I am very surprised the derby draw such a high TV rating. The culture seems to love the SUPERBOWL format. If Direct TV was smart they would bid for the Derby put it on as an exclusive and use it to sell subscriptions. Since they cant bundle programming with internet access and phone lines they need another hook besides the NFL package. The Derby is now proven to be a very saleable poduct to the average viewer.If Direct TV or a like company owned the Derby they would offer two broadcasts one for the common veiwer and one for the diehard that would be back for future broadcasts of other product like BC and other Major race days. That is what racing needs someone other then a betting channel to pick it up develop and educate the fan. HRTV is only in 12 mil homes and TVG (Betfair) is completely uninterested in racing, Betfair is in the market only to have a foot in place when other types of gambling get legalized. If Betfair breaks even on racing great if not they just have to have a presence till gambling is finally gets opened.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by freddymo

The Derby is now proven to be a very saleable poduct to the average viewer.

That is what racing needs someone other then a betting channel to pick it up develop and educate the fan.

Agree!

Isn't that pretty much what Andy is saying?

Since it's low risk (the Derby isn't in a prime time slot) and since they have advertising revenue coming in ( and the possibility of even more potential advertisers) why not make it BETTER?

Regarding your "handicapping is complicated" post... well yes of course but don't assume that people are dumb and wouldn't be able to pick up on it.

That said please don't turn this around on me... they won't be hanciappers immediately and that's not what I'm saying.

An interest though... planting a seed. It hasn't exactly been done on network tv, during the Triple Crown or the BC.

Why not try it? Why not attempt to begin to pressure them to listen? The carrot in front of the carriage is the more advertising angle...