TVG in Saratoga Springs area?

[Gander]

Dont be so cheap Hickory (you must be a blast at kid's parties). Money is well worth it and my mute button doesnt work anymore and Da Hoss knows why.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by Gander

Dont be so cheap Hickory (you must be a blast at kid's parties). Money is well worth it and my mute button doesnt work anymore and Da Hoss knows why.

My dad got Direct TV, they had TVG...it's all right...but reminds me too much of ESPN...I just want the race replay...none of the other BS...cheap, I guess so, not fun at kid's parties...don't get what you mean. IF I GOT $200 RIDING ON A HORSE, I'M AT AN OTB WATCHING THE RACE...love how everyone just kills Capital OTB's product...it's better than a "blue and white" screen and just audio like 20 years ago!

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Well of course it's better than a blue and white screen and audio, geez it's 2007. But they have a ways to go. They have some decent shows, but honestly, as a bettor I like to see will pays and post parades and I'd like to know what the people on track are saying, even Jan Rushton, well maybe not her but others. It could be a lot better. I have some ideas.....

I think they try to get all the NYRA info as possible, the real problem is that there are too much tracks on at once. The commericals do suck and there timing could be corrected not to be shown at critical times, I'm sure there's a way. The biggest knock of late is the handicapping segments that are shown.
I look at it this way, I do my own handicapping...the on-air personalities give thiers, but you can ignore thiers if you want. It doesn't matter to me who they like. As for the will pays and post parades, TVG doesn't completely show them either...and thier exacta payouts are based on ten dollar payouts.

I am crying big croc tears that Gander can't get TVG in Saratoga Springs. That's like saying that you can't bag the centerfolds at a Playboy Party, just the ones on page 10.

HAHA

[TheSpyder]

If you want the post parade and want to see races in full why not over the computer? There's plenty of sites where you can do that and if money is no object get a nice 20" - 26" flat screen monitor. I don't see how you can watch most of these shows anyway. The ones I've seen are terrible.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Comparing TVG to OTB is like "apples to oranges" thier basicly the same. The on-track info is scattered on both programs and they give people thier race opinions. The biggest difference is... one comes with basic cable, the other you need a dish. Just do your own handicapping...watch the races and then collect! There is an old saying; Quityerbitchin' or don't watch.

[Gander]

I have watched both networks (OTB and TVG) and there is no comparison.
OTB for some reason caters to harness racing and just is very incompetent when it comes to showing paddock coverage and will pays, etc. You have guys like Pricci who say the same thing over and over and act as if people actually would bet based off of their opinions, egggad

Last night immediately after the live showing of the Santa Anita race #8, they cut to a harness race without even telling you who ran 2nd, 3rd and
4th. Now this would have taken the announcer all of 5 seconds to distribute that info?

[Linny]

Thanks Hoff.

The fact is that OTB and TVG/HRTV are quite different in that OTB operates under different regulations. NYS Racing law requires us to use in state product (NYRA/F'Lakes) live. Our agreement w/NYRA demands that Capital air the paddock and post parade as well. COTB makes every effort to air NYRA's "will-pays" and as much of their feed as possible.
As for the secondary tracks, due to the time commitment to NYRA, fitting in more than a replay is usually impossible. At this time of year, when the raceday is compressed and tracks are running races every 20-25 minutes, it's harder still. If there is a DQ or an inquiry at NYRA, or a hold up at the gate it's even more time taken from secondary products. The contract with Time Warner requires that CAP.OTB air 3 commercial breaks per hour. It doesn't seem like much time out of an hour but look at it like this:
Between 2 and 3 pm today we'll have 10 races to air, from 4 tracks. Allowing for 2 minutes per actual race (loading/gallop out + airing the result) that takes 20 minutes of the hour. Add to that the requirement of pretty much staying with the NYRA feed from 13 or so MTP per race and that's another 26 minutes, give or take. Remember too that at "2 MTP" many times you know the race won't start in 2 minutes. Now you've used 46 of your 60 minute hour. Add to that about 10 minutes of commentary/promotion of OTB events per hour and that allows 4 minutes for commercials.
We try to do commentary over the will-pays if possible to "kill two birds" (as it were) but it doesn't always work that way. We are dealing with a bottle neck, trying to feed out 4 signals. Just when it looks like you're about to get caught up, a gate delay, late scratch, loose horse throws off the rhythm.
I understand that sometimes mistakes are made. Things get missed and the wrong button gets pushed.

I have no influence as far as policy. I take orders. Trust me, there are times I wish things were different but as in any workplace, you take the bad with the good. Is the product perfect, no. But on balance I think that COTB does a pretty good job of getting racing out. This is a case of the perfect being the enemy of the good but TVG ain't perfect either.

[Gander]

Da Hoss:
As somebody who pays a great deal for cable TV, I dont think we're way off. Technology is changing every day and so too must the cable channels. Without my baseball package, I think my cable runs about $60 per month. Thats no bargain. ESPN is a great example of a network who evolves with the times. While I dont expect Capital OTB to be half of what ESPN is, it would be nice to see people who knew first names of jockeys. There is one guy on OTB who has been on there for at least 20 years who still cant identify jockey's first names. He routinely says "jockey Bridgmohan". I know you've heard this guy, hes on as much as Greg Girogio. Hey, have you ever seen that weird show Greg Girogio use to do where he dresses up as an older dude? Borderline funny farm!

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Of course there is a way, it's called customer service. I don't mind them having on a handicapper to give an analysis and such, but do we need Pricci's $20 play of the day? He is actually the only one that I have to mute the tv for. He loves the sound of his own voice. Well, he and Greg Giorgio, the announcer. No need for him to say anything other than who won and what they paid. No one cares about his insight or his "humor". I understand the need for commercials I really do, but their timing is awful and there really is no reason for it. Trust me, Capital is lucky we can't get TVG here on Time Warner because if we could I and many people I know would never watch OTB.

I still think thier product is "head and shoulders" better than most and better than nothing. I would still watch Capital OTB even if TVG was on Time Warner...but as we all know...that's not happening. You gotta live with what you got...and it's better than nothing! It won't stop me from wagering, personally I don't know what's the big deal.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I guess i feel like it could be so much better, so why not do it? Is it that hard to not schedule commercials immediately following a photo finish, so as you are wondering if you got up or not you are seeing a commercial. Is it a lot to ask for to see pic 3 will pays and not Pricci's $20 play of the day? Is it a lot to ask for to watch the post parade for a non NYRA track before the race as long as it doesn't interfere with NYRA. I think all of these things are very easy to do and would show the bettors that OTB at least appreciates the money that we spend with them.

I agree with you DaHoss, I've questioned things myself and it's seems to fall on deaf ears...that's why I just play my bets and get a laugh out of the other things...it's entertainment all around. but won't stop me from playing

[brianwspencer]

What cable company services Saratoga Springs?

By and large, Comcast carries TVG anywhere that TVG serves as an account wagering hub. Ie, we carry it in Chicago and Portland, OR -- but we do not carry it in Michigan because you can't use TVG here.

Do you guys get Comcast up there, or just Time Warner?

[Scav]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

What cable company services Saratoga Springs?

By and large, Comcast carries TVG anywhere that TVG serves as an account wagering hub. Ie, we carry it in Chicago and Portland, OR -- but we do not carry it in Michigan because you can't use TVG here.

Do you guys get Comcast up there, or just Time Warner?

You can't use TVG online, they are not licensed here. I just called every day until they finally got it on Comcast.

You can use Youbet here though

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

dish network tvg/hrtv..never left out in the cold..

[SniperSB23]

You could also see if you are one of the lucky few that can get FIOS TV:

http://www22.verizon.com/fiosforhome...ilability.aspx

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by Scav

You can't use TVG online, they are not licensed here. I just called every day until they finally got it on Comcast.

You can use Youbet here though

Maybe I meant account-wagering in general? Something like that. There is no reason to have a horse racing channel for the general public in a state where they can't do anything with it.

In Michigan, Comcast will never carry that channel -- gauranteed, because there is nothing at all in it for them.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Just Time Warner I think

I'm not familiar with how they run their show, but if Comcast services the area as well it could be worth looking into -- same sports offerings etc etc, and would offer TVG if the area permits..

I sound like a company crony

I guess my working here doesn't change the fact that it's a good product, I just feel like a stooge talking about it!

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

I'm not familiar with how they run their show, but if Comcast services the area as well it could be worth looking into -- same sports offerings etc etc, and would offer TVG if the area permits..

I sound like a company crony

I guess my working here doesn't change the fact that it's a good product, I just feel like a stooge talking about it!

OOOh you work for them? Tell them I think they suck...they bought up adelphia here and the first thing they did was raise the rates and of course VT has no TVG so it's not worth it in the first place.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by paisjpg

OOOh you work for them? Tell them I think they suck.

You and everyone else I ever talk to on the phone. I am still shocked at how rude many of our employees are, even to inhouse people. I call for something that I need help with, but if it's not going to get a salesperson commission then they will intentionally terminate the call. Happens all the time, and I just have to leave a customer hanging because someone else is an *******. By and large I think we're a good company -- but we have FAR too many bad apples in customer service. You would not believe how some of them speak to our customers and the tone they take with them. It's disgusting.

Originally Posted by paisjpq

they bought up adelphia here and the first thing they did was raise the rates

Mergers do that. Wait to see what happens if US Airways gets Delta

I've been following the "a la carte" legislation that has been floating around in Congress. My humble opinion is that it will only hurt the customer. Of course, for the person who only wants ESPN and two basic channels, it would lower their bill. For anyone who wanted to have any sort of comprehensive package, going "a la carte" would kill their bill -- it would absolutely explode because it would knock franchise and signal fees through the roof in many areas and for many channels.

So what I'm saying is that cable rates have, yes, exploded at unprecedented rates - and yes I wish there was a way to bring them down -- but the current attempts are terrible and will only hurt the customer.

Not that you asked