Thanks ESPN Seriously (1 Viewer)

[legendman]

For adding the qualifying show on ESPN News at a reasonable hour.

Checked a couple days ago and qualifying was scheduled at 3:30am 9/15

Then they added a 11:30 pm show on ESPN News

 

[Wayne]

If you have ESPN News!!!


At least they're keeping the ESPN2 show.
It's called DVR and then watch Sunday morning!

 

[Leebone]

I think we owe ESPN a debt of gratitude in general. Yes, we have to wait for soccer or little league baseball to end before our show comes on, but at least it DOES come on. Things could be better, but without ESPN, we would have NOTHING!!

 

[Jer]

I think we owe ESPN a debt of gratitude in general. Yes, we have to wait for soccer or little league baseball to end before our show comes on, but at least it DOES come on. Things could be better, but without ESPN, we would have NOTHING!!

There are other networks and if your going to do it,do it RIGHT

 

[Silly Savage]

There are other networks and if your going to do it,do it RIGHT

Name another network that WOULD air drag racing in it's current format? NHRA used to be on TNN. Anyone remember what their main bread and butter was?

 

[legendman]

I take my thanks back, found out I don't have ESPNews, luckily I was able to catch some action on ESPN3

 

[Randy]

Time for MAV or Velocity to take over the show. I wasted time DVR'ing it only to find out it was cut off because the NASCAR countdown is more important.

 

[mick]

if nhra is paying espn large sums annually for low ratings BUT credibility among other american racing series,
then last night should be the example of why nhra should push for live semis & finals, at least live they
have locked into a time slot, weather permitting.

 

[vegasnitro]

if nhra is paying espn large sums annually for low ratings BUT credibility among other american racing series,
then last night should be the example of why nhra should push for live semis & finals, at least live they
have locked into a time slot, weather permitting.

NHRAs credibility amongst other racing series has nothing to do with breaking the bank for ESPN. It is the ONLY way the teams can give their sponsors return on their investment. Every one of you crying to go to MAV or Velocity would instantly devalue the teams sponsorship by more than half, as those channels (good as they may be, I personally love Velocity) get way less than half the eyeballs of ESPN2 ... Not to mention ESPN3s excellent streaming capabilities. MAV is not even an option on Time Warner where I live and you have to have upgraded your package to the highest level to get Velocity. I can get ESPN2/3 by having the most basic cable package. So, on some level, it is economic for the fans too.

The ONLY way starting your own channel can be viable is if you can get that channel on the basic channel lineup (nearly impossible) or the first upgrade tier (tough to do). Providers are wary of adding a channel that may not provide value to a large percentage of their subscribers and then increasing their bill for the privilege. This is why there is a NFL game every Thursday night now. The NFL is strong-arming cable providers to make the NFL Network more readily available. People complain when they can't watch their football, then you can be sure they will complain when their bills go up as they certainly will. I think it would be an economic disaster for NHRA to start their own channel, they certainly can't do it for a less than or equal amount than they are paying ESPN, and it would certainly be cast to the nether regions of your cable/satellite providers lineup ... Are you willing to pay $20-40 more per month to watch?

I do agree with Mr. Larson that live Finals at National Events where it is viable would be a big boon to the teams exposure and for the fans as we get a guaranteed time slot.

 

[JB3]

if nhra is paying espn large sums annually for low ratings BUT credibility among other american racing series,
then last night should be the example of why nhra should push for live semis & finals, at least live they
have locked into a time slot, weather permitting.

Members here are obviously only looking out for their best interests. The Mater makes up such a tiny % of the NHRA fan base. If there were to be live finals and semi-finals, how do you think the overall ratings would be if all that was aired was the Safari cleaning the track or a wreck? If a network were to grant NHRA a slot for that, I would imagine it would have a hard stop / start and if it didn't happen on time ... oh well. Networks are not going to sit around and wait. Time is money. By the way, the average fan isn't gonna sit and watch safety safari cleanups on their TV either.

And, I am pretty sure the Mater diehards would crucify any network if they switched programming before the racing was finished complaining of missing the "live" show even though NHRA missed their time slot. TV is BIG $$ business and no network is gonna just flush it on a whim.

The reason NASCAR went back on TV last night was because ESPN PAID $100's of millions for the exclusive TV rights. They have a vested interest to produce a ROI to their management and also a contractual obligation to NASCAR for a live broadcast. The NHRA check has already been cashed with the agreement the ESPN controls the viewing slots. Its really that simple. Its a no win for NHRA.

Randy - Do you think MAV or Velocity would allocate unlimited hours just in case there are disruptions in the days racing? Nope ... wasted TV time cost money, and even Forrest Lucas is not gonna waste money throwing it down a rat hole.

Robert - Taking back your thank you to ESPN was unfair, you not being able to watch ESPN News is not an ESPN problem, your problem is with your cable provider.

 

[JB3]

NHRAs credibility amongst other racing series has nothing to do with breaking the bank for ESPN. It is the ONLY way the teams can give their sponsors return on their investment. Every one of you crying to go to MAV or Velocity would instantly devalue the teams sponsorship by more than half, as those channels (good as they may be, I personally love Velocity) get way less than half the eyeballs of ESPN2 ... Not to mention ESPN3s excellent streaming capabilities. MAV is not even an option on Time Warner where I live and you have to have upgraded your package to the highest level to get Velocity. I can get ESPN2/3 by having the most basic cable package. So, on some level, it is economic for the fans too.

The ONLY way starting your own channel can be viable is if you can get that channel on the basic channel lineup (nearly impossible) or the first upgrade tier (tough to do). Providers are wary of adding a channel that may not provide value to a large percentage of their subscribers and then increasing their bill for the privilege. This is why there is a NFL game every Thursday night now. The NFL is strong-arming cable providers to make the NFL Network more readily available. People complain when they can't watch their football, then you can be sure they will complain when their bills go up as they certainly will. I think it would be an economic disaster for NHRA to start their own channel, they certainly can't do it for a less than or equal amount than they are paying ESPN, and it would certainly be cast to the nether regions of your cable/satellite providers lineup ... Are you willing to pay $20-40 more per month to watch?

I do agree with Mr. Larson that live Finals at National Events where it is viable would be a big boon to the teams exposure and for the fans as we get a guaranteed time slot.

Excellent post Chris ... EXACTLY. You said what I wanted to much better

 

[vegasnitro]

Excellent post Chris ... EXACTLY. You said what I wanted to much better

Thank you ... In a past life I was an engineer for a cable company out West ... I guess I did learn something LOL.

 

[mick]

chris & jim, thanks for your responses.
i agree (and should have elaborated more when i said 'credibility') that espn provides the widest coverage
on basic or near-basic cable plans for sponsors involved with the nhra.....bar none.
my self serving interests have previously led me to support the same-day tape delayed coverage aired mostly
sunday evenings; i think it is good time slot for the repeat hardcore viewers that IMO make up 80-90% of
each event's ratings, although understanding it is 'instant' world we live in.
but....
last nite nhra was airing it's first 'playoff' race at arguably it's premiere facility yet still was susceptible to espn's
manipulation as they are 'pay to play' vs. nascar's 'play and get paid'.
if i am an nhra sponsor (geico, schumacher electronics, rocky boots, AAA insurance, summit, jegs) and my team
was active thru all rounds of racing, yet my exposure was potentially abbreviated due to circumstances??

paid live programming is susceptible to oil downs, accidents, weather and most importantly the end of the time slot,
but in the ideal world the results are live and instant, like most other major sporting events.

tape delay offers the payer (nhra) extra time for potential afternoon delays to produce a seamless show providing
coverage of the day's events including all rounds of racing and multiple driver interviews.

which is the best? i honestly don't know, but am leaning towards live semis and finals with quick video synopsis of 1st & 2nd rounds,

 

[Randy]

Since SPEED went away the TV is tuned to Velocity or the house flipping channel. The only time I ever watch ESPN (including ESPN2, News, etc). is when the drag races are on.

EDIT: Forgot to mention the FOOD Channel. I need my "Diner's, Drive-In's and Dive's" fix.

 

[Baron]

Chris and Jim Bowen,
What you are saying amounts to this: ESPN and the cable companies can do their jobs as poorly as they want and we may not complain nor seek alternatives because we don't know how tough their jobs are.
Hogwash.
Ed Arcuri

 

[cdag]

Forgot to mention the FOOD Channel. I need my "Diner's, Drive-In's and Dive's" fix.

Man, that show makes me hungry, I don't care what time it's on!

 

[d'kid]

I think by the end of the season, I'll be cured of my forty five addiction to drag racing... I'll still be around... but I really need to get a life besides "this thing of ours"

d'kid (59... really?)

 

[vegasnitro]

Chris and Jim Bowen,
What you are saying amounts to this: ESPN and the cable companies can do their jobs as poorly as they want and we may not complain nor seek alternatives because we don't know how tough their jobs are.
Hogwash.
Ed Arcuri

No, I actually encourage you to make any noise by any means necessary ... At least they will know NHRA has fans. I was just trying to provide the background on the business of the channels you watch coupled with why it is better for NHRA to pay to be on ESPN rather than be on other channels for no fee or get paid.

You, as a NHRA fan may think ESPN did their job poorly last night, but the facts are these: the weather is out of EVERYONE's control, and their first priority is to NASCAR, whom they have a much larger viewership to satisfy.

 

[JC]

Someone has started a Facebook page to show ESPN how rude it was to stop in the middle of our race to satisfy their big money sponsors. Go to Facebook and search NHRA Fans against ESPN's treatment of drag racing and like the page!!

 

[JB3]

Someone has started a Facebook page to show ESPN how rude it was to stop in the middle of our race to satisfy their big money sponsors. Go to Facebook and search NHRA Fans against ESPN's treatment of drag racing and like the page!!

I have a lot of problems with this ...

1. Do any of you not think that this TV format may have been something NHRA agreed to in the contract with ESPN?
   
   
2. It would be stuff like this where the old saying "He doth protest too much" comes into play. ESPN (Disney) certainly does not need NHRA's money. At some point, the nonsense could become more than ESPN wants to be bothered with, and they just don't renew. Where would we be then without any coverage?