ESPN2 screws NHRA again

[vegasnitro]

So when they say no more NHRA on ESPN or ESPN Channels and back to maybe some highlights somewhere. It will be worse.

This.

ESPN monkeys around with NHRA a lot, but there is no where to go but down. A move to any other network will destroy an already comparatively paltry viewership. Ask IndyCar how that move to Versus (now NBCSN) worked out for them. Not to mention moving to a lesser network will seriously mess with the economy of the teams, hard to get a sponsor to pony up money now, ESPN has to be one of the big selling points.

 

[twostep]

Not that it's a big deal, but I'm still trying to figure out why tonight's finals wound up being 3 1/2 hours, when it was scheduled for 3. Maybe ESPN2 felt bad about the 9 minutes.

 

[DrRocket]

I ALMOST let it stand at the original three hours, but added a half hour a the last minute. Lucky move on my part.

My guess is that the championship award ceremonies prompted that additional time.

 

[vern]

I bet all of the sponsors are happy with all the 9 minutes they received.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

I sure do miss the TNN days..........

I'm sure it's been mentioned before, but doesn't Lucas have something to do with MAV? Wouldn't that be a viable alternative? I realize ESPN probably gets a lot more viewers, but not likely for us, especially in light of what continually goes on with getting bumped. Maybe if we went back to a network that was actually for the betterment of the sport, the viewership would follow, and then some.

Sean D

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

Nevermind............. I just saw Guy Kelly's thread about it.

Sean D

 

[Marchboom]

I bet all of the sponsors are happy with all the 9 minutes they received.

I wonder if the car sponsors ever speak up about the constant delays, and in this case, a delay AND a severe reduction in show time?

 

[Dave]

The other perspective is... you're as high as you can go with ESPN, they aren't going to promote the sport any further, in fact possibly less, even though you're footing the bill. Why not take a step back to a different network for the possibility to advance 3 steps forward. How did it work out for IndyCar? Not very well to start with, but now that NBCSN has F1 and trying to sign on many other sports, it is quickly rising. (The other thing to consider is IndyCar is also in a position of NHRA when it comes to a small dedicated fan base and low low ratings due to the product. Oh and the whole IRL/CART split made a lot of people leave and not come back. Kinda like 1,000 feet vs 1,320? Hmm.. but I digress...) NHRA should take a chance with one of the other networks like NBCSN or CBS Sports Network (which airs Lucas Oil Off Road Racing already and Powerboat Racing) and see where they can go. Not to mention NASCAR is headed back to NBC and Fox only. ESPN wanted out of that game too. I really think ESPN is outgrowing even itself to a point. Nothing lasts forever. I leave ESPN2 on at work. Do you know what it is all day? Talk shows. Talk shows in the morning talk shows in the afternoon then sportscenter. It's all the same garbage. It's no better than watching CNN talk about the same story over and over. Same thing with ESPNNEWS, how many times can you replay the same highlights in a row?

How about NHRA going to NBC/NBCSN and even managing to score a few events on the main network. The U.S. Nationals live on Monday on NBC? Why the hell not? Everyone needs to get off the ESPN is the only and best option. Quit hoping that because ESPN is the biggest and the best that some NFL fan might tune in to see a game or leave the channel on and happen to see NHRA and go "Huh.. Can't believe I never followed this sport.. better call my buddies and have them tune in!" The casual viewer is going to keep right on flipping when they see cars instead of stick and ball sports. They've had 13 exclusive years and what have we gotten?

 

[JB3]

The other perspective is... you're as high as you can go with ESPN, they aren't going to promote the sport any further, in fact possibly less, even though you're footing the bill. Why not take a step back to a different network for the possibility to advance 3 steps forward. How did it work out for IndyCar? Not very well to start with, but now that NBCSN has F1 and trying to sign on many other sports, it is quickly rising. (The other thing to consider is IndyCar is also in a position of NHRA when it comes to a small dedicated fan base and low low ratings due to the product. Oh and the whole IRL/CART split made a lot of people leave and not come back. Kinda like 1,000 feet vs 1,320? Hmm.. but I digress...) NHRA should take a chance with one of the other networks like NBCSN or CBS Sports Network (which airs Lucas Oil Off Road Racing already and Powerboat Racing) and see where they can go. Not to mention NASCAR is headed back to NBC and Fox only. ESPN wanted out of that game too. I really think ESPN is outgrowing even itself to a point. Nothing lasts forever. I leave ESPN2 on at work. Do you know what it is all day? Talk shows. Talk shows in the morning talk shows in the afternoon then sportscenter. It's all the same garbage. It's no better than watching CNN talk about the same story over and over. Same thing with ESPNNEWS, how many times can you replay the same highlights in a row?

How about NHRA going to NBC/NBCSN and even managing to score a few events on the main network. The U.S. Nationals live on Monday on NBC? Why the hell not? Everyone needs to get off the ESPN is the only and best option. Quit hoping that because ESPN is the biggest and the best that some NFL fan might tune in to see a game or leave the channel on and happen to see NHRA and go "Huh.. Can't believe I never followed this sport.. better call my buddies and have them tune in!" The casual viewer is going to keep right on flipping when they see cars instead of stick and ball sports. They've had 13 exclusive years and what have we gotten?

I want great coverage as much as anyone .... but,

If NHRA racing is such a promising revenue stream for a TV network, why hasn't some energetic marketing team at any of network approached NHRA and said, "man we like what you are selling and can really take you to the next level"? I do not see anybody paying NHRA to broadcast a very uncertain/unpredicatable product. It is all about a stable schedule. We have downtime where nothing happens, NASCAR does not. And let's face it, our down time is somewhat a turnoff to the sport for the casual fan.

David - I think you are way to optimistic about sports fans suddenly catching their first race on a mainstream network and there being this word of mouth upswell of growth in the NHRA fan base.

Unfortunately, I beleive the best place for NHRA race coverage may be on the Internet. It is just the nature of the beast. For those that say they can't take time to watch ESPN3 coverage live as it happens, the replay is always available for your convenience, and you can skip or fastforward whatever you want. Just don't check the Mater (spoilers) until after you watch.

My $.02 for what its worth

 

[bing]

Just quietly all races are on you tube including the friday sessions. Not sure if this is common knowledge.