Unique Third Party Perspective On SX Broadcast

BikeGuy321
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BikeGuy321 3/25/2019 3:58pm
3/25/2019 3:58pm Edited Date/Time 3/25/2019 4:03pm
I really think they should go back to showing the races on Sunday and do a better job with production. Considering all the effort that teams and riders put in, the broadcast isn't up to par.

When you hear a stadium full of people get excited about something that they're not showing on camera, that's a red flag that the broadcast can't keep up with the action.
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Squirrelings 3/25/2019 4:04pm
3/25/2019 4:04pm
This whole "catering to the average viewer" excuse everybody uses to cover Ralph's ass is a bunch of garbage. No other sport pretends like they're talking to a bunch of imbeciles. This sport needs to go more in depth. People are clueless as to how difficult and dangerous these guys jobs really are. Not to mention the stress of being a top level pro athlete in such a mental sport.
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RichieW13
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RichieW13 3/25/2019 4:11pm
3/25/2019 4:11pm
Squirrelings wrote:
This whole "catering to the average viewer" excuse everybody uses to cover Ralph's ass is a bunch of garbage. No other sport pretends like they're talking...
This whole "catering to the average viewer" excuse everybody uses to cover Ralph's ass is a bunch of garbage. No other sport pretends like they're talking to a bunch of imbeciles. This sport needs to go more in depth. People are clueless as to how difficult and dangerous these guys jobs really are. Not to mention the stress of being a top level pro athlete in such a mental sport.
Those are two different things.

Ralph is under direction to cater to the casual viewer. You can't criticize Ralph for saying "the red Honda" because anybody else in that seat will be directed to say the same thing.
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Squid Williams 3/25/2019 4:11pm
3/25/2019 4:11pm
Squirrelings wrote:
This whole "catering to the average viewer" excuse everybody uses to cover Ralph's ass is a bunch of garbage. No other sport pretends like they're talking...
This whole "catering to the average viewer" excuse everybody uses to cover Ralph's ass is a bunch of garbage. No other sport pretends like they're talking to a bunch of imbeciles. This sport needs to go more in depth. People are clueless as to how difficult and dangerous these guys jobs really are. Not to mention the stress of being a top level pro athlete in such a mental sport.
I agree! Every time I tell someone that these guys are the most fit and ultimate athletes on the planet they laugh in my face. Dumbing it down only makes our sport look stupid.
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plowboy
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plowboy 3/25/2019 4:48pm
3/25/2019 4:48pm
I actually thought they were gonna live feed go-pro footage from the riders during the race. Like close battles for position...so you could feel the intensity. Never happened...don't know why.
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Crush
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Crush 3/25/2019 4:50pm
3/25/2019 4:50pm
At least they know that Kawasaki’s are green though. Lucky.
Tarz483
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Tarz483 3/25/2019 5:05pm
3/25/2019 5:05pm Edited Date/Time 3/26/2019 10:06am
Squirrelings wrote:
This whole "catering to the average viewer" excuse everybody uses to cover Ralph's ass is a bunch of garbage. No other sport pretends like they're talking...
This whole "catering to the average viewer" excuse everybody uses to cover Ralph's ass is a bunch of garbage. No other sport pretends like they're talking to a bunch of imbeciles. This sport needs to go more in depth. People are clueless as to how difficult and dangerous these guys jobs really are. Not to mention the stress of being a top level pro athlete in such a mental sport.
Its True if you try watching any other sport or motor sport they just talk about it in the normal way that they would to someone that knows the sport ,there way and you either adapt to the lingo or you dont but they usually dont try to act as if everyone is a new fan as of today!
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chaseodc
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chaseodc 3/25/2019 5:11pm
3/25/2019 5:11pm
I agree with the op. I like when Ricky says things like " Wilson is setting up the inside here" however for a casual viewer I think they wouldvbe lost.. You need more of the race storyline.. So maybe a " Wilson needs to make the pass here with authority so he's been working the outside line in this section for a few Laps.. NOW HES DIVING TO THE INSIDE!.." blah blah blah.. More emotion needs to be infused for anyone to care about anything done on track....
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plowboy
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plowboy 3/25/2019 5:13pm
3/25/2019 5:13pm
Maybe what we're all forgetting is that SX makes its money off a stadium full of casual fans that really could care less about the sport. It's a night out. The "broadcast" is now basically "pay-per view". Sports coverage depends on viewer demand. At the moment, we don't have a "stand-out" charismatic human interest type star/stars that are engaging to the public. We don't have any McGraths, Carmichaels, Stewarts, Villopotos. I'm not saying that the current crop isn't fast and incredible. I'm saying they aren't the "stars" the public craves. Just some food for thought.
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Tarz483
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Tarz483 3/25/2019 5:19pm
3/25/2019 5:19pm Edited Date/Time 3/25/2019 5:21pm
plowboy wrote:
Maybe what we're all forgetting is that SX makes its money off a stadium full of casual fans that really could care less about the sport...
Maybe what we're all forgetting is that SX makes its money off a stadium full of casual fans that really could care less about the sport. It's a night out. The "broadcast" is now basically "pay-per view". Sports coverage depends on viewer demand. At the moment, we don't have a "stand-out" charismatic human interest type star/stars that are engaging to the public. We don't have any McGraths, Carmichaels, Stewarts, Villopotos. I'm not saying that the current crop isn't fast and incredible. I'm saying they aren't the "stars" the public craves. Just some food for thought.
Personally i Dont think its the one Star Guy McGrath, Carmichael, etc. i think they where just beneficiarys of being there and being the best in the Hay day so to speak, back then when a lot more people where riding Dirtbikes. I think people need to relate they need to see it as something they can do
And they need to have ridden a dirt bike at somepoint to realize these things are heavy and you get tired and your regulating power and just everything if you have Never Ridden a dirt bike even up and down a trail or dirt road , or your neighbors yard or whatever its gonna be tough to relate.
RichieW13
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RichieW13 3/25/2019 5:19pm
3/25/2019 5:19pm
plowboy wrote:
Maybe what we're all forgetting is that SX makes its money off a stadium full of casual fans that really could care less about the sport...
Maybe what we're all forgetting is that SX makes its money off a stadium full of casual fans that really could care less about the sport. It's a night out. The "broadcast" is now basically "pay-per view". Sports coverage depends on viewer demand. At the moment, we don't have a "stand-out" charismatic human interest type star/stars that are engaging to the public. We don't have any McGraths, Carmichaels, Stewarts, Villopotos. I'm not saying that the current crop isn't fast and incredible. I'm saying they aren't the "stars" the public craves. Just some food for thought.
" The "broadcast" is now basically "pay-per view". "

It is?
plowboy
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plowboy 3/25/2019 5:20pm
3/25/2019 5:20pm
plowboy wrote:
Maybe what we're all forgetting is that SX makes its money off a stadium full of casual fans that really could care less about the sport...
Maybe what we're all forgetting is that SX makes its money off a stadium full of casual fans that really could care less about the sport. It's a night out. The "broadcast" is now basically "pay-per view". Sports coverage depends on viewer demand. At the moment, we don't have a "stand-out" charismatic human interest type star/stars that are engaging to the public. We don't have any McGraths, Carmichaels, Stewarts, Villopotos. I'm not saying that the current crop isn't fast and incredible. I'm saying they aren't the "stars" the public craves. Just some food for thought.
Tarz483 wrote:
Personally i Dont think its the one Star Guy McGrath, Carmichael, etc. i think they where just beneficiarys of being there and being the best in...
Personally i Dont think its the one Star Guy McGrath, Carmichael, etc. i think they where just beneficiarys of being there and being the best in the Hay day so to speak, back then when a lot more people where riding Dirtbikes. I think people need to relate they need to see it as something they can do
And they need to have ridden a dirt bike at somepoint to realize these things are heavy and you get tired and your regulating power and just everything if you have Never Ridden a dirt bike even up and down a trail or dirt road , or your neighbors yard or whatever its gonna be tough to relate.
Very true.
bf884
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bf884 3/25/2019 5:35pm
3/25/2019 5:35pm
Best way for them to do it, is call the race like it’s broadcasting over the radio and we can only hear what’s happening. Listen to an old baseball game. You will have a mental view instantly.
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jemcee
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jemcee 3/25/2019 6:19pm
3/25/2019 6:19pm
You really notice the difference in commentating approaches when Emig is in the booth with Malin.. I'm not gonna go in on who I think is better or whatever, but just this past weekend Jeff kept reminding us that Cairoli was a 9 time world champion and he'd go off on long winded explanations about things and Malin kept bringing it to the racing haha..
A couple times they had to go to a replay so Malin could comment on something he noticed while Emig was talking..

But by the end they were bouncing off each other and it seemed Jeff was a lot more comfortable and was giving good insight about what we were actually watching..
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feelit2morrow 3/25/2019 6:59pm
3/25/2019 6:59pm
Nothing pisses me off more than hearing the crowd erupt knowing there was a pass near at the lead, meanwhile I'm watching a battle for 9th place.....,
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brocster
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brocster 3/25/2019 7:14pm
3/25/2019 7:14pm
It takes a really long time to explain to a casual fan the sequence of events and have them have an understanding to follow. They end up asking a million questions cause they don’t understand and lose interest and quit watching either at that moment or ever again. There are no casual fans stopping to watch on NBCSN at primetime Saturday evening or night. There are too many other things to watch with all the technology available. Why would they stop and watch something they know nothing of and can’t figure out over using the search feature on whatever app/device they are using to watch what has their interest. The only “casual” fans, and I use that term very loosely, that are watching are the ones eating out/hanging out watching other sports with the fam at Buffalo Wild Wings and they can’t hear the broadcast anyway. 95% of people watching are actual fans or participants and that is who the announcer should be speaking to. The NASCAR dream is over, our sport can’t support it. Bring back the 90’s and let it be what it is. I am not stuck in the nineties but I know what worked and what isn’t. You can take motocross out the backwoods but you can’t take the backwoods out of motocross...current state is proving that week after week.
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HusqFan3
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HusqFan3 3/25/2019 7:32pm
3/25/2019 7:32pm
cameron96 wrote:
They need tags on screen attached to the riders, showing their name. And position
I think that’d be annoying as heck if they did it the whole race but have been asking for this for years during starts. Especially for outdoors. I’ve never understood, given the importance, why they just pan out to a wide angle for the start without making any effort to highlight where the top riders are lined up in the starting gate let alone during the carnage of the opening moments of the race.

It’s obviously not practical to do for all 40 riders(MX) or 22(SX) but would be nice to see for the top 5-8 guys marked and highlighted. Otherwise unless your guy happens to be in the top 3, you’re completely at the mercy of the announcers to figure out where he ended up during the opening lap of the race:
HusqFan3
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HusqFan3 3/25/2019 7:37pm
3/25/2019 7:37pm
brocster wrote:
It takes a really long time to explain to a casual fan the sequence of events and have them have an understanding to follow. They end...
It takes a really long time to explain to a casual fan the sequence of events and have them have an understanding to follow. They end up asking a million questions cause they don’t understand and lose interest and quit watching either at that moment or ever again. There are no casual fans stopping to watch on NBCSN at primetime Saturday evening or night. There are too many other things to watch with all the technology available. Why would they stop and watch something they know nothing of and can’t figure out over using the search feature on whatever app/device they are using to watch what has their interest. The only “casual” fans, and I use that term very loosely, that are watching are the ones eating out/hanging out watching other sports with the fam at Buffalo Wild Wings and they can’t hear the broadcast anyway. 95% of people watching are actual fans or participants and that is who the announcer should be speaking to. The NASCAR dream is over, our sport can’t support it. Bring back the 90’s and let it be what it is. I am not stuck in the nineties but I know what worked and what isn’t. You can take motocross out the backwoods but you can’t take the backwoods out of motocross...current state is proving that week after week.
Omg, really? Trying to explain football i can see but is it really that hard for the casual fan to grasp racing? I mean, the guy up front is winning and everyone else is trying to catch up to pass him. Done.
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Squid Williams 3/25/2019 7:38pm
3/25/2019 7:38pm
cameron96 wrote:
They need tags on screen attached to the riders, showing their name. And position
HusqFan3 wrote:
I think that’d be annoying as heck if they did it the whole race but have been asking for this for years during starts. Especially for...
I think that’d be annoying as heck if they did it the whole race but have been asking for this for years during starts. Especially for outdoors. I’ve never understood, given the importance, why they just pan out to a wide angle for the start without making any effort to highlight where the top riders are lined up in the starting gate let alone during the carnage of the opening moments of the race.

It’s obviously not practical to do for all 40 riders(MX) or 22(SX) but would be nice to see for the top 5-8 guys marked and highlighted. Otherwise unless your guy happens to be in the top 3, you’re completely at the mercy of the announcers to figure out where he ended up during the opening lap of the race:
Yeah and RC and Ralph both didn't know where Ferrandis was on the line. Audibly saying "uhh . . Where's Ferrandis?". And Ralph has called him David or Daniel multiple times this year. Little things like that make a big difference.

I've always wished they did had a split screen channel. You could watch the same announcing but it's just 4 boxes. The leader(s), and then a couple storylines throughout the pack. Should be an option for Gold.
drt410
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drt410 3/25/2019 11:01pm
3/25/2019 11:01pm Edited Date/Time 3/25/2019 11:02pm
drt410 wrote:
Its a compromise. This sport just doesnt attract casual viewers. So the question is dumb down the broadcast for the minimal ppl who dont kno wtf...
Its a compromise. This sport just doesnt attract casual viewers. So the question is dumb down the broadcast for the minimal ppl who dont kno wtf is going on and tell them every single place and rider on the screen every camera change, or let the die hards see it on the side and talk about other things for the broadcast.

So they try to split down the middle. The reality of it is the broadcasters dont make the sport... if your friends didnt care much for the racing then they didnt like it and wont come back. How do u think it works in person? Exactly.

Either you love the sport or you dont care... no casual viewers, and the broadcasters dont affect if you like the product you see on tv in front of you which is the racing.
Squid Williams wrote:
I can understand why they want to "dumb it down", I just don't see their current approach working very well so something needs to change. As...
I can understand why they want to "dumb it down", I just don't see their current approach working very well so something needs to change.

As far as the broadcasters not affecting the product, I strongly disagree. I enjoy some NFL games much more than others simply because of who is in the booth. And Vital is chalk full of forums saying that people enjoyed SX more when Fro was in the booth. So I could argue that the broadcasters directly affect the product, especially when it comes to casual/new viewers - which you say do not exist.
No Im saying they dont make the sport... they dont. They can enhance it, but if you dont enjoy watching people ride dirtbikes the broadcasters wont change that. You either do or you dont. Same with your football example... you dont watch for the announcer, they enhance something you already enjoy. The sport has to stand on its own... again, in person its just you watching ppl ride dirt bikes. You either enjoy that or you dont. Cant believe I had to explain that more #vital
oldslownewb
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oldslownewb 3/26/2019 9:36am
3/26/2019 9:36am
drt410 wrote:
No Im saying they dont make the sport... they dont. They can enhance it, but if you dont enjoy watching people ride dirtbikes the broadcasters wont...
No Im saying they dont make the sport... they dont. They can enhance it, but if you dont enjoy watching people ride dirtbikes the broadcasters wont change that. You either do or you dont. Same with your football example... you dont watch for the announcer, they enhance something you already enjoy. The sport has to stand on its own... again, in person its just you watching ppl ride dirt bikes. You either enjoy that or you dont. Cant believe I had to explain that more #vital
A bad broadcast can make a sport you enjoy watching less enjoyable. I love football but the only announcer I won't turn off is Tony Romo, love him or hate him he brings you into the sport of football and enhances what is happening on the field. He is at his best when he is talking about what you see happening.

Recounting what some rider told you at track walk this morning while a race is going on takes you completely out of what is going on on the track. There are no whistles in supercross so there shouldn't be any time to recount old racing anecdotes. It seems like they are following a template and at any time they think there is a lull they go to some pre-planned bit to fill time.There seems to be literally no one reacting to what is going on during the race, they are all looking down at their notes.. Why do they have an on track reporter if all they report on was what happened before the race?

They need to have more eyes on the race and find more ways to enhance and react to the race action. They should have someone like JT watching all sector times and report in about what someone is doing different to gain time, or a "New line or Quad alert" when someone is trying to do something different. They need to find a way to better visualize the difference between riders when they aren't in same shot. Why can't we see a visual of the fastest line through a corner, or show how that line has now changed.

What about a suspension tuner chiming in from time to time about what they see? A riding coach?

As someone mentioned before a live gopro from midpack would be way more interesting than what they normally do. Any info they could give "rut depth" even would be better than "he really seems to be gelling with that bike" What about a second audio channel with a couple ex riders talking. Why not experiment?



1
Squirrelings 3/26/2019 9:49am
3/26/2019 9:49am
Squirrelings wrote:
This whole "catering to the average viewer" excuse everybody uses to cover Ralph's ass is a bunch of garbage. No other sport pretends like they're talking...
This whole "catering to the average viewer" excuse everybody uses to cover Ralph's ass is a bunch of garbage. No other sport pretends like they're talking to a bunch of imbeciles. This sport needs to go more in depth. People are clueless as to how difficult and dangerous these guys jobs really are. Not to mention the stress of being a top level pro athlete in such a mental sport.
RichieW13 wrote:
Those are two different things. Ralph is under direction to cater to the casual viewer. You can't criticize Ralph for saying "the red Honda" because anybody...
Those are two different things.

Ralph is under direction to cater to the casual viewer. You can't criticize Ralph for saying "the red Honda" because anybody else in that seat will be directed to say the same thing.
Ralph doesn't bother me, but he's not as knowledgeable about this sport as some people make him out to be.
1
Squid Williams 3/26/2019 10:45am
3/26/2019 10:45am
drt410 wrote:
Its a compromise. This sport just doesnt attract casual viewers. So the question is dumb down the broadcast for the minimal ppl who dont kno wtf...
Its a compromise. This sport just doesnt attract casual viewers. So the question is dumb down the broadcast for the minimal ppl who dont kno wtf is going on and tell them every single place and rider on the screen every camera change, or let the die hards see it on the side and talk about other things for the broadcast.

So they try to split down the middle. The reality of it is the broadcasters dont make the sport... if your friends didnt care much for the racing then they didnt like it and wont come back. How do u think it works in person? Exactly.

Either you love the sport or you dont care... no casual viewers, and the broadcasters dont affect if you like the product you see on tv in front of you which is the racing.
Squid Williams wrote:
I can understand why they want to "dumb it down", I just don't see their current approach working very well so something needs to change. As...
I can understand why they want to "dumb it down", I just don't see their current approach working very well so something needs to change.

As far as the broadcasters not affecting the product, I strongly disagree. I enjoy some NFL games much more than others simply because of who is in the booth. And Vital is chalk full of forums saying that people enjoyed SX more when Fro was in the booth. So I could argue that the broadcasters directly affect the product, especially when it comes to casual/new viewers - which you say do not exist.
drt410 wrote:
No Im saying they dont make the sport... they dont. They can enhance it, but if you dont enjoy watching people ride dirtbikes the broadcasters wont...
No Im saying they dont make the sport... they dont. They can enhance it, but if you dont enjoy watching people ride dirtbikes the broadcasters wont change that. You either do or you dont. Same with your football example... you dont watch for the announcer, they enhance something you already enjoy. The sport has to stand on its own... again, in person its just you watching ppl ride dirt bikes. You either enjoy that or you dont. Cant believe I had to explain that more #vital
I understand what you're saying, I just disagree with you. I think for a newcomer the commentator is the first real tangible experience they will have with the sport. If they do not get something out of them, they will move on.
Tarz483
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Tarz483 3/26/2019 10:53am
3/26/2019 10:53am
Squid Williams wrote:
I can understand why they want to "dumb it down", I just don't see their current approach working very well so something needs to change. As...
I can understand why they want to "dumb it down", I just don't see their current approach working very well so something needs to change.

As far as the broadcasters not affecting the product, I strongly disagree. I enjoy some NFL games much more than others simply because of who is in the booth. And Vital is chalk full of forums saying that people enjoyed SX more when Fro was in the booth. So I could argue that the broadcasters directly affect the product, especially when it comes to casual/new viewers - which you say do not exist.
drt410 wrote:
No Im saying they dont make the sport... they dont. They can enhance it, but if you dont enjoy watching people ride dirtbikes the broadcasters wont...
No Im saying they dont make the sport... they dont. They can enhance it, but if you dont enjoy watching people ride dirtbikes the broadcasters wont change that. You either do or you dont. Same with your football example... you dont watch for the announcer, they enhance something you already enjoy. The sport has to stand on its own... again, in person its just you watching ppl ride dirt bikes. You either enjoy that or you dont. Cant believe I had to explain that more #vital
Squid Williams wrote:
I understand what you're saying, I just disagree with you. I think for a newcomer the commentator is the first real tangible experience they will have...
I understand what you're saying, I just disagree with you. I think for a newcomer the commentator is the first real tangible experience they will have with the sport. If they do not get something out of them, they will move on.
I think its cool if they Explain how the points series works
Before the race starts and throw in some education, and i dont even mind the Color thing , red honda etc , But i dont think there are as many casual fans as they think watching a 3 hour long motorcycle racing program, yeah there are a lot of casual fans going to Supercross for various reasons
, night out with friends or a lot of other reasons, but i just dont think those same casual fans care to watch the races on TV , ive been to Monster Trucks just to get out on a Saturday night but i dont watch it on tv,
On another subject i did see Monster truck show the a couple weeks ago after SX ended it came on , and actually they Dumb down that too Big time. I hadnt seen it for years
And its changed for sure.

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