What is the deal with skiing and TV?

[Buster Highmen]

Here it is, the height of the ski equipment sales season and there's no priming of the retail pump on TV even now.

What is the deal?

For a media industry that poots out constant droning rodeo a la OLN, or unbelievably shallow and spiteridden "reality" shows, where is the vision for some decent ski porn?

C'mon media clowns, it's almost December. How about some Bode Miller stomping Euro butt in WC races? Surely the Patroit Corporation would back that. This shit has to be able to sell something.

[KQ]

I think it's this country's lazy ways. The media panders to couch potatos who don't want to think or watch anything that might get their heart rates up. Also, I think skiing is seen as an elitest sport out of the reach or concern of the average Amrikun.

C'mon - it's winter and that means Xmas toy and razor ads and heart warming family shows. Don't you know anything?

I'm telling you - Canada knows how to broadcast sporting events. Take equestrian events (outside of rodeo) for example - you'll almost never see a jumping event on US T.V. but in Canada it's a national sport. Same with skiing.

[Keoni]

My uneducated guess:

It's easier to sell ad space for the NFL, NBA and NHL broadcasts to all the beer companies, et al. Who buys air time for World Cup events? The only 2 that come to mind are Visa and Chevy(trucks). The TV / AD market is pretty much driven by viewer share. If some of the industry companies were to step up, purchase airtime(ad space), I'm sure the coverage would increase.

Then again, I know nothing about this industry(TV)

[Blurred Elevens]

There's no money in it. The audience is no where near as broad as say rodeo. Sponsors don't get much bang for their buck, and a very limited pool of possible sponsors anyway. (chapstick,etc)
Budweiser would rather cater to a large audience of shit kicking hicks instead of only a few ski bums. It makes business sense.

[Honc]

You guys have it right, it all comes down to demand. You will notice that only since the Hispanic demographic in this country has become a presence in the TV market has soccer (the most popular sport in the history of the universe by far) started to crawl onto ESPN. (Look out for ESPN Deportes, a Spanish speaking satellite with programming geared toward Hispanics, to debut in January)

If you grow up playing basketball, that is what will show up on your TV. It is adventure sports that will likely make a resurgence in media soon enough. I believe that NBC will be airing a series on Saturdays similar to ABC's "wild world of sports." Look for adventure racing and a good deal of skiing, surfing, kite boarding etc.

I think that the ski racing populace of this country is way too small to support a viewership. I am a huge fan, but I also feel that you do not receive the instant gratification from a dunk or a home run. This country was founded on instant gratification.

[SponsoredByDuctTape]

Originally posted by Honc
(Look out for ESPN Deportes, a Spanish speaking satellite with programming geared toward Hispanics, to debut in January)

Not sure where you live, but ESPN Deportes has been around for a while here in SoCal, and it's actually pretty cool. They've got a lot of boxing (el boxeo), Dodger games, and muy mucho futbol.

It all boils down to choices. We Americans have too many choices when it comes to what sports to watch. Baseball is our national passtime, football is bigger than that, hockey is pretty big, golf and tennis are on a lot - hell, even track and field gets more air time than skiing. There just is not a lot of room left for skiing on TV. We should be happy they broadcast the Winter Xgames. Europe is completely different which is why skiing is so huge over there. No baseball, very little football, some hockey, very little golf - skiing really only competes with soccer, and they take place in different seasons.

[SponsoredByDuctTape]

On a different subject...isn't that kid in Honc's avatar wearing an Aryan Brotherhood robe? I first noticed it when I was checking out the available avatars. I've seen others using it too. I could be wrong. Anyone else notice this?

[char]

I'm pretty sure it is at a football game in England, not a Aryan Brotherhood gathering, but I could be wrong.

[iceman]

No, honc is big into the whole Aryan thing. You didn't know that?

[Honc]

I was going to use Rod Farva but that was already taken. Young Aryan child was my SECOND choice.

EDIT: Deportes is launching nationwide in Jan. It was pre-released in a few select markets with dense hispanic population.

[sea2ski]

Well as someone who sells the adtime on a network that currently has winter related programming running.

1)There really isn't that much of a demand for it on a network basis. Most ski related advertisers buy local markets rather than buying nationally or they buy magazines. This doesn't even factor that probably 80% of all advertising buying decisions are made by a 25 year old (usually a woman) who lives in NYC. I wouldn't consider this demographic a skiing hotbed, so any fluff in the budgets isn't going to be spent on programming they don't watch.


2) The ratings for skiing on TV are about the same as those for HS Cheerleading Competions. Not really a ringing endorsement.

If you think programmers aren't responsive to what the viewers are watching, wait till you see a whole bunch "poker tournament" type shows that will start showing up due to the success of the "World Series of Poker" on ESPN and the "World Poker Tour" on Travel Channel. So much programming is monkey see success, monkey try to copy.

[Buster Highmen]

Originally posted by sea2ski
The ratings for skiing on TV are about the same as those for HS Cheerleading Competions.

So you're saying we're a nation of weak willed fags? I guess the truth hurts, but I'd watch 16 year old jouncing anytime over poker tournaments or rodeo. Unless it's pokeher.

[CaddyDaddy77]

Don't suppose we will be getting any coverage from the Park City races this weekend? Anyone know?

[sea2ski]

Originally posted by Buster Highmen
So you're saying we're a nation of weak willed fags? I guess the truth hurts, but I'd watch 16 year old jouncing anytime over poker tournaments or rodeo. Unless it's pokeher.

I blame it all on the South. After having one of those cheerleader comps scheduled at the same hotel I was staying in for a business conference. I can say there are few things more annoying then a hotel full of perky jailbait cheerleaders.

As for Park City, ESPN usually shows that event on a tape delay the following weekend.

[Woodsy]

it says ESPN/NBC
chec your local network for details, I bet 1 week tape delay, maybe some ESPN 2 if the boys are in the hunt second race.
full schedule
http://www.fis-ski.com/calendar/even...=12464&limit=0

[Buster Highmen]

It just reminds me of one of the finest bar slogans ever, used at the Missoula Stockman's Bar and Cafe': Liquor Up Front. Poker in the rear.

I have the t-shirt somewhere.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Originally posted by sea2ski
I can say there are few things more annoying then a hotel full of perky jailbait cheerleaders.

Denied, huh?

[boarderline]

Seems to be a bit more coverage of snowsports on cable than on network TV. Fox Sports Net has shows such as 54321 that showcase the so-called 'action' sports, including skiing and boarding. Not a bad show if you can stomach Wee Man as a host.

[gonzo]

i think a lot of people who like all the good stuff don't want to watch it on TV, they want be doin stuff.

i know i don't have a tv.

[The Reverend Floater]

Originally posted by gonzo
i think a lot of people who like all the good stuff don't want to watch it on TV, they want be doin stuff.

i know i don't have a tv.

Huh? Oh sorry...I was mesmerized by that gnome in the bushes.