Hey
Did you see the TV coverage of the America's cup? If not, check out this link and forward to around 15 mins and watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHdmviq1kyg
This is sailing, possibly the worst spectator sport in the world, and they've transformed it into a fantastic TV spectacle. They've put cameras on top of masts and all over the boat. They've put a microphone on all of the sailors. They've got cool graphics showing how fast the boats are going and how far ahead the leading boat is. They even show the wind speed and direction.
Wow - wouldn't that be cool if they could do that for cycling? How difficult can it be? What reason is there that it can't be done at least for the Tour de France, but ideally for all major races. Hey - I've had a thought - maybe SKY could think about incorporating into their coverage?!?!?!?
If we could have the following, wouldn't it make TV coverage of cycling 100 times better - and so much easier for commentators:
1. A wind speed and direction graphic at all times.
2. Speed of the leading group and of the chasing peloton.
3. Footage from the bikes (camera pointing backwards and forwards on every bike)
4. An audio stream of race radio (anyone who's been in a team car or race car will tell you how fascinating race radio can be).
5. Distance between the break and the peloton.
These are just five things that other sports incorporate into their coverage - why can't we have this in cycling? If we did then I would be willing to bet that TV audiences will be up, which would attract more sponsors, allow teams to charge sponsors more, allow broadcasters to charge more to advertisers and generally bring more money into the sport.
Can it be done? Surely it can.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Trouble with professional racing in the UK
It's quite apparent at the moment that the professional cycling racing scene in Britain is at a crossroads. Never has the sport been in such rude health in terms of popularity, with Team Sky at the forefront, and our top cyclists more succesful than ever. So if this is the case, then why are there only 6 Premier Calendar races in the pipeline for 2013, and our only UCI one day race, the Melton CiCLE Classic, under serious threat due to lack of funds?
Funding is always going to be main reason. And here's the problem that cycling has - no gate revenue. As cycling events are free to attend and spectate, then the sources of revenue are limited. One assumes that the host council stump up some cash, but sponsors and broradcast revenue are key.
All three of these sources of revenue rely on spectators and viewers - and without these then it's going to be hard to convince broadcasters and sponsors to invest in an event if noone's going to watch it.
Here are a few thoughts on how we can get more people waching our races - both live and on TV
1 - The teams themselves need to build more of a following and support. Team Sky do this well.
2 - Event promoters need to work with the councils more to promote the event and to offer familes a good day out.
3 - Run a sportive on the same route (or part of it) on the morning of the event - this guarantees you an audience at the finish (plus rider's families who will come to support).
4 - Broadcasters need to make the coverage more 'newbie' friendly.
5 - Package the races to make the competition more interesting (team and individual competitions running throughout the series).
6 - Give some kind of ownership of the race to the teams - if the teams and the riders benefit (financially) from the success of the race, then they will work hard to attract spectators.
Funding is always going to be main reason. And here's the problem that cycling has - no gate revenue. As cycling events are free to attend and spectate, then the sources of revenue are limited. One assumes that the host council stump up some cash, but sponsors and broradcast revenue are key.
All three of these sources of revenue rely on spectators and viewers - and without these then it's going to be hard to convince broadcasters and sponsors to invest in an event if noone's going to watch it.
Here are a few thoughts on how we can get more people waching our races - both live and on TV
1 - The teams themselves need to build more of a following and support. Team Sky do this well.
2 - Event promoters need to work with the councils more to promote the event and to offer familes a good day out.
3 - Run a sportive on the same route (or part of it) on the morning of the event - this guarantees you an audience at the finish (plus rider's families who will come to support).
4 - Broadcasters need to make the coverage more 'newbie' friendly.
5 - Package the races to make the competition more interesting (team and individual competitions running throughout the series).
6 - Give some kind of ownership of the race to the teams - if the teams and the riders benefit (financially) from the success of the race, then they will work hard to attract spectators.
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