Cable Only, Over The Air, IPTV

[dj4monie]

I believe the ALMS is at a sort of a crossroads when it comes to growing its market share and satisfying its fan base. I am not going to talk about the production companies already involved with the series (Wheeler and Intersport) but where you already get the races.

Coming out of the 2011 discussion, it seems more than half of ALMS' races next season will be shared events with Indy Car.

So this would beg the question, should ALMS move to Versus?

[old man]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

I believe the ALMS is at a sort of a crossroads when it comes to growing its market share and satisfying its fan base. I am not going to talk about the production companies already involved with the series (Wheeler and Intersport) but where you already get the races.

Coming out of the 2011 discussion, it seems more than half of ALMS' races next season will be shared events with Indy Car.

So this would beg the question, should ALMS move to Versus?

What is Versus?

[porman]

A cable channel that I can't watch because I got tired of being screwed by my cable company. Do yourself a favor and never add up what you pay for the entire year. Don't you get taxed for BBC?

[picchiofan]

If it wants to continue its death spiral, then yes, a move to Versus would be appropriate.

Versus' Indycar coverage is actually quite good, they provide good pre & post race coverage, the "keep the camera on screen during commercials" technique is great, however the channel itself is a mess. It's a top-tier channel that is a "premium" on most networks, it never advertises, and is primarily a home to low rated stuff like UFC lightweight fights, bull riding, NBA d-league, Rocky IV reruns, and even lower rated non-factors like the NHL.

Given that the ALMS already does an atrocious job of promotion, a move to VS would render them invisible. Most cable companies have Speed grouped with ESPN in the channel range. Want to look for racing on a Sunday? Flip to fox, flip to ABC, flip to ESPN and Speed. You'll find it. Versus? Well, it's another 40 channels down, and it's not like you saw any ads for the race, so it's pretty easy to forget.

Also, factor in that the ALMS is talking about 1 hour tape delayed chopped up coverage, pretty much what World Challenge is doing now. That works fine for WC as that series will most likely be dead in a year, but for any promotion that's at least pretending that it will be around, it's suicide.

[Jonerz]

I'm not sure the ALMS is talking about anything on Versus, but that was the rumor certainly. I agree 100% though picchio, the ALMS needs exposure desperately and Versus isn't the way to get it.

Chris

[ptclaus98]

Discovery Channel.

[brico]

ALMS has always been "Marketing Challenged." I've never seen one of their events advertised in advance and if you tally the number of ad spots for the LeMans 24 hours for this past June, the number would be threefold the number of ad spots ALMS has run during thier entire 10+ year existence.

I'm sure what it is about sportscar racing, there has always been a "people will find it and will come" attitude. Which they always have had - as I found it during the IMSA GTP hey-day in the early to mid-1980's. Unfortuately, this old approach doesn't work in a society bombarded with the most current.

What makes the ALMS's laxed approach even more dishartening is they have a decent product (granted is was better in years past (2007-2008)) that can build its message around family oriented (or perhaps father and son), with easy access to the padock, drivers, teams, mechanics, and the occational celebrity (try getting this access without VIP credentials at a F1 or tin top event). This coupled with their green racing initiative should make their branding effort easy.

Unless the future of ALMS is to compete with the solar car races entered by various colleges and universities - which for the record, I did see an ad spot for on the Discovery Channel.

Regarding Versus, I do have access. However, I have heard that the only way to actually find the channel was to pass out after a hard night of drinking and hope that your forehead hits the remote and enters the correct channel number (or advances the channels to the upper echelon of one's program guide).

[old man]

Originally Posted by porman

A cable channel that I can't watch because I got tired of being screwed by my cable company. Do yourself a favor and never add up what you pay for the entire year. Don't you get taxed for BBC?

There is a licence fee of £147.50 to have a TV in the UK, it is not exactly a tax but the money goes to the BBC and they are not allowed to show advertising at all, this covers as many sets in the home as you want and if you have a portable in your caravan or motorhome that is included. The result is we get advert free TV from the BBC on about 6/8 channels (never actually counted the number of BBC channels!)

Then we have terrestrial commercial TV paid for by advertising only and satellite TV paid for by monthly subscription and a number of free digital channels called Freeview, adds up to hundreds of channels and if you get the full satellite package you can end up paying over £800 per year for your TV and still find there is nothing to watch!!!!

Anyone not happy with any of these can select one of a few cable TV networks either as well or instead but will always pay the livence fee which I personally think is good value in itself, having travelled extensively over the last 40 years I consider the BBC the best there is overall but nothing is perfect.

[porman]

Thank you for taking the time for an explanation. I was looking at getting a proxy so I could view the BBC's excellent coverage of F1 some time ago but felt guilty and decided not to.

My problem is with what free channels here in the good old US of A think we want to watch sporting wise. Rather, what the majority of people here are interested in. Nascar has never been my cup of tea, and I don't enjoy watching the well dressed hit balls on grassy fields either. At least the B shows racing. I had been paying cable for as long as I could remember and realized that I was paying close to $1,300 a year.

Sorry for my ramble! It would be wonderful if CBS ( a local channel) aired more than two ALMS races. Don't even get me started on what FOX does to the few F1 races it airs.

[duke_toaster]

Originally Posted by porman

A cable channel that I can't watch because I got tired of being screwed by my cable company. Do yourself a favor and never add up what you pay for the entire year. Don't you get taxed for BBC?

Off topic comment alert I have to type this or my brain will explode! There are licence fees in most European countries. As old man said, the licence fee in the UK is £147.50, which is €179 (using Euros because I'm comparing it to others in Euros). The licence fee in Germany is €204.36 and their public television has adverts and gets government grants. It's around €350 in Iceland! Thanks for reading, you've been a wonderful audience. Don't forget to try the veal and tip your waitress. We now return you to the topic

Originally Posted by old man

The result is we get advert free TV from the BBC on about 6/8 channels (never actually counted the number of BBC channels!)

Off topic comment alert I have to type this or my brain will explode! Depends how you count them. There are the two terrestrial ones, BBC1 and BBC2 (with more regional optouts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). BBC3 (the only channel that shows documentaries aimed at 18-30s) and BBC4 (an arts and documentaries channel that shows some foreign drama and good comedy, search on YouTube for Newswipe if you're not offended by strong language, it's so funny it should come with a heath warning) share time with the two children's channels (CBBC and CBeebies), then there's the BBC News channel (the only British alternative to what's the nearest thing to FOX "News" that's allowed under British broadcasting rules, from the same people as FOX "News"), a British equivalent of C-SPAN, and a channel that shows things in Scots Gaelic for a few hours a day (which is partially funded by the devolved Scottish government). The licence fee also funds S4C (the Welsh language channel) to a lesser extent, and Channel 4 a little bit of money (like S4C, they carry adverts but that doesn't manage to cover their costs) EDIT : Forgot BBC HD, a channel that shows a mix of programmes from the other BBC channels in HD. The BBC were the first broadcaster to show things in the UK in HD. A full time HD (in most things worth watching but not F1 actual HD, someupscaled) simulcast of BBC1 will start later this year. Thanks for reading, you've been a wonderful audience. Don't forget to try the veal and tip your waitress. We now return you to the topic

Then we have terrestrial commercial TV paid for by advertising only and satellite TV paid for by monthly subscription and a number of free digital channels called Freeview, adds up to hundreds of channels and if you get the full satellite package you can end up paying over £800 per year for your TV and still find there is nothing to watch!!!!

Off topic comment alert I have to type this or my brain will explode! Freeview (digital terrestrial television) has about 30 or so channels, not that many are worth watching though. Many of them share time. EDIT : A number of channels (about 100) are also available free to air on satellite, some are worth watching - some are included in a platform called Freesat, which includes the main channels, all the BBC ones (obviously), all ITV's extra ones, most of Channel 4's, Channel 5 (the fifth terrestrial channel which no-one ever watches and has been bought by of the UK's biggest celebrity magazine and porn magnates) and a plethora of other things, many crap, but for some reason most news channels worth watching are available for free on satellite - CNN, Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, CNBC ... Thanks for reading, you've been a wonderful audience. Don't forget to try the veal and tip your waitress. We now return you to the topic

Anyone not happy with any of these can select one of a few cable TV networks either as well or instead but will always pay the livence fee which I personally think is good value in itself, having travelled extensively over the last 40 years I consider the BBC the best there is overall but nothing is perfect.

Off topic comment alert I have to type this or my brain will explode! Irrespective of if it's the best in the world, it's the best in the UK - the commercial broadcasters in the UK are generally atrocious. EDIT2 : There is of course a different culture in UK and US broadcasting - for example there is no chance in the US that someone would propose a UK style "crown jewels" list of sporting events that have to be shown on free television. Thanks for reading, you've been a wonderful audience. Don't forget to try the veal and tip your waitress. We now return you to the topic

ALMS simply need exposure, by that it's a simple case of going to where they will get the most viewers.

[JAG]

The ALMS's future fanbase is the videogame audience.

Only F1 in Europe and NASCAR in the US receives anything like mainstream coverage but neither are taken seriously by people who actually buy performance cars.

There's an audience of ALMS/Le Mans fans out there that is not being picked up by traditional TV ratings orgnaisations.

For example the Nissan GT-R now has a fanbase that matches the Porshe 911, Ferrari etc, yet before Gran Turismo the car was virtually unknown.

Le Mans, the ALMS/LMS, Nurburgring 24hr, they are events that have credibility with young car enthusiasts.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by Jonerz

I'm not sure the ALMS is talking about anything on Versus, but that was the rumor certainly. I agree 100% though picchio, the ALMS needs exposure desperately and Versus isn't the way to get it.

Chris

I don't think it would be bad on Versus if they promote and coddle it, unlike Speed who kinda promote it for this own media buys (adverts). As has been explained by TWK, Speed and ALMS are almost equal share holders in the ALMS being shown on Speed. Both have to bring money to the table to pay for production cost.

Fortunes have improved for the NHL on Versus so don't round-file that idea just yet.

SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Tripp Mickle reports national and local NHL TV ratings have improved this season compared with the midway mark in ’07-08. Versus this season has seen total viewers increase to an average of 310,732 through 31 games, up from 265,314 over the same period last year (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/19 issue). Davis said, “We’re up 16% in households. But what’s really exciting is what we’re seeing in the key demographics. The men 18-34 were up a whopping 64% over last year, and in men 18-49, (up) 43%. Hockey’s on a roll and it plays a big cornerstone in the Versus strategy, so we’re real excited” (“NHL Live!” NHL Network, 1/22).

More stories - http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puc...urn=nhl-245558

I think Indy Car is in such a tail spin because the Top 2 teams keep winning and fans (mostly ex-CART/CCWS) hate the IRL based car.

It does worst on Versus than it does on OTA, but its not by a huge margin. (.2-.4 vs .8-1.0 as of 2010)

ALMS doesn't have such problems and the whole stock and barrel fan base would move with the series to a new channel. Sure you would have some moaning from those that don't have Versus on their cable system its on both popular Sat systems in the States. I wish people would stop mentioning Comcast/NBC/Universal deal it has not been approved by the FCC or Congress and frankly because of our polarized politics and media choices we don't need even less choice and more consolidation which is what this would mean.

[rdt012237]

Dj4monie said-" I don't think it would be bad on Versus if they promote and coddle it, unlike Speed who kinda promote it for this own media buys (adverts). As has been explained by TWK, Speed and ALMS are almost equal share holders in the ALMS being shown on Speed. Both have to bring money to the table to pay for production cost.

Fortunes have improved for the NHL on Versus so don't round-file that idea just yet."
Versus is for most a upper premium subscription on Cable or Sat. systems so I'm worried that that would have a negative rather than a positive effect on viewership due to having a lower availability in households percentage wise. I realize the TV delivery systems would make it available to all for a price but.. How many households out of all the Satellite and cable subscribers have gone to a package that includes that Versus how many have a package that only includes Speed. Dj4monie you seem to be in the Biz and have access to the #'s Fact and Figures so I'd like to hear this from you,if possible. Cause to me [while I'm too cheap for even basic cable!] Speed seems to be a sort of beer and brats and wine and cheese sort of level Versus could raise the level to a champagne and caviar pricing and when your trying to raise consumer awareness of your product raising your pricing and limiting its availability is a risky strategy. [Its has been known to work I'll grant you but its one of the more risky ways to go]

[HORNDAWG]

Since the mention of the rumor I actually did something I have not done in a while and watched something other than the 500, the Sears Point race. The production was good and the director did a good job of keeping the whole field in the race. Picture quality was perfect the commentary team was adequate, all in all a good show!
I usually watch the Tour on VS and was curious if the auto racing was in the same caliber of production, it was!




L.P.

[Jacques Rabbit]

It depends what we're talking about with VERSUS.

The races, live, in their entirety on VERSUS? Or the rumor of doing the Intersport Productions one-hour docu-dramas on VERSUS?

The former, it makes no difference if it's that or SPEED. The latter, well, it would be the first time I lost sleep over a sport. ALMS is too good to be treated like that, and I'm not watching a race on my computer. It's uncomfortable, hard on the eyes, and anti-social.

Just get all the rounds on TV, broadcast as races and not docu-dramas, and I'm completely content, regardless of network. ALMS is never going to be a huge draw; it's a niche sport. But with the right niche (a well-educated group of passionate individuals with a lot of disposable income), it can and will survive.

The Discovery Channel suggestion, for the record, is a damned good one. That would be a nice way to cater to the people who would be interested if exposed. Exploit the niche.

[Canada ALMS fan]

No Versus in Canada, bad idea.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by Jacques Rabbit

It depends what we're talking about with VERSUS.

The races, live, in their entirety on VERSUS? Or the rumor of doing the Intersport Productions one-hour docu-dramas on VERSUS?

The former, it makes no difference if it's that or SPEED. The latter, well, it would be the first time I lost sleep over a sport. ALMS is too good to be treated like that, and I'm not watching a race on my computer. It's uncomfortable, hard on the eyes, and anti-social.

Just get all the rounds on TV, broadcast as races and not docu-dramas, and I'm completely content, regardless of network. ALMS is never going to be a huge draw; it's a niche sport. But with the right niche (a well-educated group of passionate individuals with a lot of disposable income), it can and will survive.

The Discovery Channel suggestion, for the record, is a damned good one. That would be a nice way to cater to the people who would be interested if exposed. Exploit the niche.

Here we go again...

Who's sitting in front of their 15.6 LCD laptop or 20" Desktop LCD?

If you ask I would show you how for a meager investment you can put the stream on your TV. By season's end Logitech Revue will be out which has Google TV built-into it. If you have Dish Network, you'll be able to get a new Dish DVR with Google TV software sometime before Christmas I would think. They are taking surveys now.

In any case I don't have a standard TV, I use Windows Media Center.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

No Versus in Canada, bad idea.

Can you watch Indy Car in Canada? If you can why can't you watch ALMS in Canada?

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Since the mention of the rumor I actually did something I have not done in a while and watched something other than the 500, the Sears Point race. The production was good and the director did a good job of keeping the whole field in the race. Picture quality was perfect the commentary team was adequate, all in all a good show!
I usually watch the Tour on VS and was curious if the auto racing was in the same caliber of production, it was!

L.P.

At least on Versus you wouldn't be fighting with NASCAR or have a direct rival on the same channel. I would say Speed in HD and Versus in HD are about equal in terms of PQ.

[HORNDAWG]

My preference, since getting all races live in their entirety on Speed will not happen, is for the race to be streamed live and a docudrama produced to place on niche market outlets to grow the fan base. I would also target multiple networks (outlets) for every 'show' to be aired on. With multiple networks airing the shows it will be much easier to reach into the segmented 'cable' markets.

Streaming it to my tv is easy, and should be for all! So the not being on 'tv' does not float.




L.P.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

My preference, since getting all races live in their entirety on Speed will not happen, is for the race to be streamed live and a docudrama produced to place on niche market outlets to grow the fan base. I would also target multiple networks (outlets) for every 'show' to be aired on. With multiple networks airing the shows it will be much easier to reach into the segmented 'cable' markets.

Streaming it to my tv is easy, and should be for all! So the not being on 'tv' does not float.




L.P.

You could show the Docu-dramas on more channels for promotional use, I'm all for that. Why not run it late at night too for insomniacs? It would be much cheaper to run it at 2AM PST/5AM EST on Discovery or even a broadcast channel.

Here's what I don't understand, how come there's never any discussion of sub-channels? Since the digital switch over most UHF and VHF channels have 2 or 3 sub-channels. NBC's Universal Sports is run on sub-channels around the country but its billed as the Outdoor Sports Channel and to show Olympic Sports that still have competitions in non-Olympic years. Versus was the Outdoor Network that started to feature more Motorsports so they changed their name and also picked up College Football along with NHL.

But the NBC sub channel is available in most markets, its in HD (1080i) and its a buys station as well. Everybody can get it, there's no excuse and its not on the main channel. It has to be cheaper to put it on a sub-channel?

Sub Channels show up on most EPG's -