Were's the audience?
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2013/Feb/130221teevee.htm
Bad coverage, slavish devotion to advertising, and unwilling to "Think Different" regarding show format (advertisers need to fix their thinking on this as well). Online streaming, what could be the "business model"?
Whether you count yourself as a "Biker", "Rider", or "Motorcyclist" we are a "cheap" bunch where our money is concerned. Where is the happy middle ground between content providers and the fan/consumer? It's really all about the money, right? Do our numbers and money count? For example, beyond the usual advertisers (usually motor sport centric), couldn't "new" ad support be found in the travel and leisure industry. Thinking outside the box, what other industries can be tapped. When you ride, where do you go, what do you do? When you are destination oriented what do you plan to spend on?
I'm sure somewhere, someone has tried to expand the ad base for the sport. There's got to be good market research to show the audience is not there and doesn't spend enough to warrant investment. Certainly there are minds that know exactly what "we" want. It isn't a NASCAR style of series, but we still want our heros on the best technology possible. Where does the "change" need to happen?
My gut tells me that we have had such poor coverage over the years that we just don't care anymore. The rights holders to the racing still think "traditional" media, but MotgGP's online does show hope for racing overall. Fans need to demand, in numbers, better coverage. Proper show formatting. Rights holders and content providers need to begin leveraging affordable production techniques to feed online streaming and traditional media. In this day and age a big traditional media production isn't necessary. The hitch here is that most race venues are out in the middle of nowhere, no fat commercial pipe to the internet. Satellite links are still the best bet here.
I don't think my approach is new, growth and building on two fronts. Fans need to get out there and show how we "do" spend, and proper content produced right that grows audience and support from non-traditional advertisers.
I'm sure there's more.
Cheers!
