What Happens Next?

[Chaparral66]

It's called marketing. You really think the quality of the on-track product can be judged by looking at the tv ratings? What world are you living in? It's a catch 22, you need ratings to get the sponsors to get the marketing. I do not think the IRL is going to be getting better ratings on VS, but who knows by 2011? If VS markets their product and has longer airtimes, then perhaps the series can grow. No guarantees, but I think everyone would agree that it got lost on the various ESPN channels and certainly did not get much promotion there.

Not to speak for Ken, but I don't think he was equating the quality of the on-track product with the TV ratings. He was just talking about the VS deal. One has nothing to do with the other, at least not all the time.

ESPN is the larger network with a wider audience. But if VS is hungry enough, and can focus its marketing efforts to get the word out, maybe it can work. But that is a double barreled challenge. They have to get out the word not only about Indy Cars, but about VS itself.

[NickFalzone]

Not to speak for Ken, but I don't think he was equating the quality of the on-track product with the TV ratings. He was just talking about the VS deal. One has nothing to do with the other, at least not all the time.

ESPN is the larger network with a wider audience. But if VS is hungry enough, and can focus its marketing efforts to get the word out, maybe it can work. But that is a double barreled challenge. They have to get out the word not only about Indy Cars, but about VS itself.

Well, to use a favoriate Curt Cavin phrase, "the reality is" that the IRL audience is a .5 to 1.0, and that size audience generally follows the races wherever and whenever they're on. I do not think there are a lot of casual IndyCar fans left. They generally find the channel when it comes race time. Realistically, we can expect that to drop by about a third at least at the start of next season unless VS really markets the hell out of the opener. If they're doing ESPN #'s by season's end, that will be a real accomplishment. If they're doing better, that would be a huge success. As a viewer, I'm just glad that they're guaranteeing much larger blocks of time than ESPN, along with no runovers from earlier sports programming. I don't know how this deal will work out in the long run for the series, but I can say that as a TV viewer of the series, I'm definitely looking forward to next season.

[weeflyonthewall]

Everyone seems to have forgotten that the "merger" is only 8 months old. It absolutely will need a full year and a half to start seeing some results. Look at it again at this time next year. If it's just as bad or worse, then I'll agree with you.

Everyone has forgotten this all came down 8 months ago?
Usually results are normally the effect of good planning and execution are they not? We had two competing series with two different business objectives. Is it so difficult to acknowledge that Champ Car got a few things right?

[indycool]

What would those be that you're referring to?

[-Helix-]

promising TV contract?

that seriosly remains to be seen....

cable ratings for AOWR racing have averaged below 1.0 for four seasons......that's test pattern range..


yes as an established fan we will get improved extended coverage.... but there is ZERO evidence that VS is going to create better ratings, improved ROI for sponsors and created more funding for teams

What the ***** do ratings have to do with the product?

I guess I should be watching NASCAR with that logic because they obviously have the best "racing".

Extended and better coverage on a network that will actually put effort into promoting the sport sounds good to me. How is it NOT promising? All the reports about sponsorships have said that the new deal has been POSITIVE for sponsors if anything. More air time = more exposure.

[-Helix-]

increased popularity=9 of the first 16 races down in TV ratings

huh?

Well what do you expect being stranded and forgotten on ESPN where NASCAR is the only form of racing that actually matters?

Attendance is up. Media coverage is up. Interest is up. Popularity is up. TV coverage still sucks. Though hopefully that will change next year.

[Miatanut]

Which direction is that? The increased car counts

Car counts are up because one of the two series went out of business shortly before the season started and those teams were faces with a choice between the IRL and closing down. Some closed down, the rest chose the IRL. I would be shocked of none of those that chose the IRL choose to do ALMS or GrandAm next year instead.

[Rex Monaco]

Attendance is up. Media coverage is up. Interest is up. Popularity is up.

Well I guess the IRL doesn't need Viagra as a sponor then.

[Marbles]

Well I guess the IRL doesn't need Viagra as a sponor then.

Buh doop pah!

You guys have worked together before, I can't remember where though. Catskills?

[-Helix-]

Car counts are up because one of the two series went out of business shortly before the season started and those teams were faces with a choice between the IRL and closing down. Some closed down, the rest chose the IRL. I would be shocked of none of those that chose the IRL choose to do ALMS or GrandAm next year instead.

ALMS or GrandAM? Maybe in addition to. But instead of IndyCar? Uhh.. Doubt it.

And I was talking about next season, not this one.

We probably won't see a single entry list with under 28 cars next year.

And it's only going to get better as the sport re-grows and a new (and hopefully cheaper) formula comes out in a few years.