I'm glad you asked, Howard. I only made the post because I think it's relevant to the hapless position in which the IRL finds itself with regard to ESPN.Originally posted by hdolan
Why was Defender's post 'ESPN Continues To Shoot Appendages Off " closed...
But as usual, Railbird attempted to derail the thread with a diversion that included a backhanded slam against Tony George, this time successfully. I think it's a shame adults can't have a conversation about a relevant topic.
Last edited by Disciple; 10-04-2003 at 06:45 PM.
But it was on topic
ABC/ESPN were heralded as hero's around here for signing that contract, and paying TG the "golden paycheck".
Most here trumpeted it as a great thing, not paying attention to the fact, that ABC/ESPN was going to give open wheel racing the very same, if not worse treatment, than both CART and IRL fans were complaining about before.
NOW, I see everyone not only NOT liking ABC/ESPN, but denying they ever said it was a good deal in the first place.
The Revisionist History going on about this a classic one.
TG signed the deal, and should have known what to expect. He sold the Indy 500 coverage, with the rest of the IRL season as "extra baggage".
CART's tv coverage was a disaster... only a fool would believe the IRL's would have been any different.TG signed the deal, and should have known what to expect.
It is different... only worse.... now we have Arute and Jenkins sniping at the "loser" CART fans that might tune in to see Toyota, Honda, Penske, Ganassi, and a few of their formerly favorite gunning the throttle in the cockpit.
And Scott Goodyear is no Parker Johnstone. Only another cheap imitation.
If only Jason Priestly would come back to liven the show up a tad. At least he'd admit he didn't know what he was talking about.
If it doesn't have wings... It isn't worth talking about!
I think it was a good idea then to lock down a network contract.
I'd like to see Tony improve the production values, direction, auxiliary content of the programs, but I'm still glad they're on a network - any network - with the maximum potential viewers.
CART's last three network races averaged 1.2 - that's about what the IRL averages for the entire season, including Indy and TT's.
Quality can always improve. At least the IRL has the world's most exciting racing (and had the world's fastest race) available to the most viewers possible. Beats the heck out of the alternative of crappy races on a relatively unknown channel.
"Each day well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this one day for it, and it alone, is life"
~ Sanskrit poem attributed to Kalidasa, "Salutation to the Dawn"
Brian's Wish
No one praised ABC/ESPN. I stated I thought it was great the networks bought into the IRL for long term coverage. I expressed the hope at that time their coverage would improve.Originally posted by El Mariachi
ABC/ESPN were heralded as hero's around here for signing that contract, and paying TG the "golden paycheck".
Wrong. Most of us hoped the coverage would improve, particularly given the financial commitment ABC/ESPN made. It was significant enough to lead even the most skeptical to believe they would be serious.Most around here trumpeted it as a great thing, not paying attention to the fact, that ABC/ESPN was going to give open wheel racing the very same, if not worse treatment, than both CART and IRL fans were complaining about before.
You are making things up. Provide links if you'd like to be taken seriously. Pay attention. We said the IRL got a great deal. We hoped then, as now, the coverage would improve.NOW, I see everyone not only NOT liking ABC/ESPN, but denying they ever said it was a good deal in the first place.
The Revisionist History going on about this a classic one.
ABC and ESPN bought the rights to ALL the races, not just the one. To speculate that Tony 'should have known what to expect' shows a complete lack of understanding about fundamental television business concepts. You may be simply misinformed. Either way, What ABC and ESPN are delivering falls far short of fan and league expectations. Granted, the IRL could improve its lot in life with more effective promotion, but no one could have expected the depth to which the Disney corporate professionalism has fallen.TG signed the deal, and should have known what to expect. He sold the Indy 500 coverage, with the rest of the IRL season as "extra baggage".
Last edited by cleanupcrew; 10-04-2003 at 11:22 PM.
It's no secret how poorly ABC/ESPN treated Cart during that series tenure at those networks. I find it simply amazing that someone (Tony George) would sign a long term contract with a network with such a history without providing some performance clauses to protect my league from exactly what's happening. To do anything other than that would be foolish. Unless Mr. George had an "out" clause written into the contract, I can't see where the league is going to get anything other than more than the same.
At the time ABC/ESPN tossed c^rt out, it would seem logical that ABC/ESPN might instead turn their attention to the IRL, particularly since NASCAR left.
Logic does not, however, prevail where the Disney family o' politics is concerned.
Last edited by cleanupcrew; 10-04-2003 at 11:23 PM.
Logic does not, however, prevail where the Disney family o' politics is concerned.
nor does it in some folk's backfilling revisionism.
I like the coverage on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2.
I like Page, Goodyear, Arute, etc.
I don't like Tommy Kendall.
But I do like Varsha.
I continue to seek intelligent conversation about the shenanigans going on at ESPN, IRL or otherwise, which was the original topic. More specifically, how they've now managed to honk off the cash cow they have left since NASCAR bid them adieu.
How about keeping it on topic for a change?
[see how clear that reads - and without unnecessary inflammatory adjectives]
Last edited by cleanupcrew; 10-04-2003 at 11:28 PM.
ABC acquired the broadcast rights to the Indianapolis 500 at a friendly rate by agreeing to air the remaining IRL events knowing the interest in openwheel racing in America has fallen steadily since the split.
On topic?
Last edited by cleanupcrew; 10-04-2003 at 11:30 PM.
IF we come to some sort of rationalization that your statement is somehow true, then ABC/ESPN is even more stupid than I have already given them credit for.
The most exciting racing on the planet is in the IRL, race after race. To waste that simply to broadcast the Indy 500 would be, well, idiotic...and that's being kind.
What ABC/ESPN has heaped on the IRL is not 'partnership,' it's abuse.
ESPN lost NASCAR but still stalks it like a groupie, and they have now made their other cash cow, the NFL, angry. It's no wonder the IRL gets treated badly by Disney.
Last edited by doitagain; 10-04-2003 at 09:50 PM.
Right now.. the viewers don't agree with you, and in fact are turning off "the most exciting racing on the planet". The IRL network numbers are down dramatically. Last figure I saw was over 15%.Originally posted by Defender
The most exciting racing on the planet is in the IRL, race after race.
More folks watch Jerry Springer than PBS too, I bet.Originally posted by speedvis
Right now.. the viewers don't agree with you, and in fact are turning off "the most exciting racing on the planet". The IRL network numbers are down dramatically. Last figure I saw was over 15%.
So what?
PBS can put garbage out, and the government picks up the tab.
The IRL doesn't have such an option.
I thought that the Brickyard 400 was bankrolling the IRL.Originally posted by speedvis
PBS can put garbage out, and the government picks up the tab.
The IRL doesn't have such an option.
That what folks on here keep telling me anyway.
And what garbage shows are you thinking of on PBS?
Don't you watch Red Green?
I've never said such a thing... but I do recognize it's all the same checkbook.
PBS.... Can I get the old boring channels on a dish? Took me forever finding a college football game today on "basic" cable.
If it ain't on the dish... I'm usually not watching.
Geez, OK fender. We get the idea.Originally posted by Defender
IF we come to some sort of rationalization that your statement is somehow true, then ABC/ESPN is even more stupid than I have already given them credit for.
The most exciting racing on the planet is in the IRL, race after race. To waste that simply to broadcast the Indy 500 would be, well, idiotic...and that's being kind.
What ABC/ESPN has heaped on the IRL is not 'partnership,' it's abuse.
ESPN lost NASCAR but still stalks it like a groupie, and they have now made their other cash cow, the NFL, angry. It's no wonder the IRL gets treated like badly by Disney.They're failing to promote the most exciting form of racing since Moses tried to beat the pharoah's chariots across the Dead Sea.
SOoooooooo... what are you going to do about it?? You're the guy who supposedly has the expertise in this field.
Why don't you take your case to Tony George himself?? Hmmmm.... I believe he's the one running this league and is also the one with the most to gain by correcting all these deficiences in the Disney family of channels that you seem to love to point out every 5 minutes on this forum.
Last edited by doitagain; 10-04-2003 at 09:48 PM.
Defender,the "Rat"(as they call it in Orlando) upper brass does not see the IRL as you it. I am sure they want it grow,but they are not willing to put much effort into it. Besides,they are probably breaking even on the .7 races and the Indy 500. Look at the number of commercials that are shown,so I am sure they are making money on the IRL. So from Disney's point of view things are just fine.
I have. In person and via written and electronic communication. I have also conducted meaningful dialogue with other personnel involved in the operation of the league about this problem. In most cases, they agree and are working to try and resolve this issue. I suggest others follow that tactic. You would be surprised how open to dialogue the IRL really is. They do care what fans think.Originally posted by trac-champ
Why don't you take your case to Tony George himself?? Hmmmm.... I believe he's the one running this league and is also the one with the most to gain by correcting all these deficiences in the Disney family of channels that you seem to love to point out every 5 minutes on this forum.
I'm sure ABC appreciates your speaking on their behalf. If what you say is true, they should be fired immediately because if true, they would not deserve the rights. Look up the word 'partner' then suggest 'the rat' put it into practice.Originally posted by longhorn
Defender,the "Rat"(as they call it in Orlando) upper brass does not see the IRL as you it. I am sure they want it grow,but they are not willing to put much effort into it.
I am at a loss for why ABC isn't doing a better job of promoting the most popular sport on the planet. They are hosting the World Cup... and the girls are treated like red-headed step children. Game after game, these girls produce the best soccer on the planet. When will the partner step up and market the product to the US audience more effectively?
To waste the broadcast on just the Championship game would be idiotic... and that's being kind.
speedvis, the only fair comparison to the IRL & women's soccer is that the IRL cars frequently run two abreast.
Center Grove Trojans
2008 5A Football State Champs
2011 Track State Champs
...and IRL 'margins of victory' are not that large, either.
If womens soccer had invented the sport as we know it for the rest of the world in 1911, you might have a point.Originally posted by speedvis
I am at a loss for why ABC isn't doing a better job of promoting the most popular sport on the planet. They are hosting the World Cup... and the girls are treated like red-headed step children. Game after game, these girls produce the best soccer on the planet. When will the partner step up and market the product to the US audience more effectively?
To waste the broadcast on just the Championship game would be idiotic... and that's being kind.
If womens soccer had people risking their lives with an unparalleled edge-of-the-seat excitement, you might have a point.
If the Disney company was paying womens soccer over $20 million per year, you might have a point.
But in reality, there is no comparison, and ESPN has even begun peeving their primary cash generation machine, the NFL.
ABC and ESPN no longer provide the best sports coverage anywhere primarily because they have lost their focus, there is no visionary leadership, and they are out of money.
Defender .... PLEASE for the milleniunth time.
If it is such ABUSE and so BLATANTLY obvious that ABC/ESPN are not LIVING UP to their part of the CONTRACT, well then ... the IRL must have the worst lawyers on the planet.
Either that, or Tony and company know they can't do much better on the open market right now. Don't ya think ??
"There are 24 hours in a day, and 24 beers in a case. Coincidence?... I think not." - A wise fisherman
Will ABC/ESPN continue there relationshipwith the IRL when the current contract is up?
The last thing they want is for this deal to go on the open market....Originally posted by mesquite
[BEither that, or Tony and company know they can't do much better on the open market right now. Don't ya think ?? [/B]
"It was actually fun, because you're back fully driving again in these trucks. Ninety percent of the tracks we go to in the IRL, you're flat-out. I was having to lift off the corners some here." - Buddy Rice
Kinda shows some foresight in getting the deal locked down a while back, and the importance of leveraging the manufacturer ads.
Trouble with Disney?
Terminate their contract & re-negociate with other TV Networks!
I don't see what is so bad about ABC/ESPN. Could their coverage be better? Sure it could but I'm happy I get to see all the IndyCar races. I'm glad ABC is paying $28+M/yr to the IRL/IMS because it goes a heck of a long way to keeping my favorite sport running.
So what is the alternative? Should IndyCar racing do like CART and pay millions for TV broadcasting? I think not.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks