Cutbacks at TVG

[NTamm1215]

I have given up on TVG. HRTV has far less exposure but their programming is 1000x better. I think their analysts are better and they at least talk about racing.

Great example was last Saturday. I had bet a race from Tampa and needed to click over to TVG to watch it. I leave HRTV where Gary Mandella and Scott Hazelton, who are both very much adequate are discussing a claiming race at OP to click over to TVG where the three hosts are talking about Broadway shows. This went on for better than 5 minutes. There was even a delay at the gate and it barely broke their stride.

I understand that you need some filler for a lot of air time but for crying out loud you had a field of 11 with an extremely vulnerable favorite at one of the three major tracks you actually broadcast and you offer hardly any analysis on the race?

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I have given up on TVG. HRTV has far less exposure but their programming is 1000x better. I think their analysts are better and they at least talk about racing.

Great example was last Saturday. I had bet a race from Tampa and needed to click over to TVG to watch it. I leave HRTV where Gary Mandella and Scott Hazelton, who are both very much adequate are discussing a claiming race at OP to click over to TVG where the three hosts are talking about Broadway shows. This went on for better than 5 minutes. There was even a delay at the gate and it barely broke their stride.

I understand that you need some filler for a lot of air time but for crying out loud you had a field of 11 with an extremely vulnerable favorite at one of the three major tracks you actually broadcast and you offer hardly any analysis on the race?

I usually mute both channels. HRTV has their share of sleep inducers too. I tend to keep the track feed up on my computer so I can hear the late scratches, jock changes and off the turf announcements. Both channels are woefully bad in letting their viewers know of these changes unless they showing that particular track when the changes take place.

[slotdirt]

The problem I have with TVG is what was mentioned above. 92.8 percent of the "experts" have done little to no preparation for the races they'll be covering during the course of a show. I get that it might be hard to 'cap 50 races or whatever for a four hour show, but come on, at least read the form for like 1/4 of the tracks TVG will be broadcasting.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

The problem I have with TVG is what was mentioned above. 92.8 percent of the "experts" have done little to no preparation for the races they'll be covering during the course of a show. I get that it might be hard to 'cap 50 races or whatever for a four hour show, but come on, at least read the form for like 1/4 of the tracks TVG will be broadcasting.

Yep - it's amazing how this is tolerated by the network.

After a while - you can't even blame the analysts ... they are clearly being allowed to 'get over' by the higher ups.

The only ones who actually do any real work are Perloff and Carrouthers.

When Stauffer's on - at least you're getting a 'Sheets' perspective. I know A LOT of people don't care about hearing about sheet patterns, form cycles, and that type of analysis ... but I've always said any national racing network should have one guy employed who takes that approach to the game.

I know a lot of people hate Matt C and Vic - but they're really 2/3rds of the best they have to work with when they're not trying to act like a jackass.

Is it so hard for the higher-ups to tell these guys "look - no one thinks you're entertaining and certainly no one - other than maybe your mother - thinks you're interesting. Just talk about up-coming races - or racing and handicapping in general. Nobuddy cares about the other bullsh!t."

Instead - it's almost like higher-ups encourage some of these guys to behave like complete fools. I doubt it was Matt Carouthers idea to suddenly start acting like Jim Cramer.

[slotdirt]

Carothers is grating, but seems to at least understand the game. TVG could definitely do worse. Oh wait, they do.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

I'm personally not a big fan at all of the handicapping approach Carothers takes - but he does do some work and he prepars.

Basically, he does his job.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

'National Racing Report' on NYRA's website has become the most watchable national racing recap show.

New episode today on right hand side: http://www.nyra.com/index_aqueduct.html

[Scav]

I kinda looks like TVG is setting themselves up for a lawsuit for age discrimination. Obviously we don't know the whole story, but if they laid off both those two guys, they were the oldest two on the set from the looks of it.

It could have just been they didn't renew their contracts though. We'll probably never know.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I have given up on TVG. HRTV has far less exposure but their programming is 1000x better. I think their analysts are better and they at least talk about racing.

?

You love Laffit Pincay III too?!

What they should do is fire all but 6-8 of on air talent and use the live feed talent of various tracks and pay them for 5-10 minutes of analysis between each race.

It's pretty obvious they're never going to have a producer that knows anything about horse racing. The brunt of the blame lies with that guy/gal.