With all due respect to posters on this board, implying that "Speedvision" was all about racing simply isn't true ... having been part of the team here since the Speedvision days and thru the transition to SPEED, there always has been an element of "non-racing" programming ... in fact Roger Werner's original plan was simply to mirror the magazine racks filled with all kinds of vehicle enthusiast programming ... Speedvision had shows about everything from fixing up old boats to vintage airplane shows to old movies (with loose connections to cars or motorcycles)to NASA launches ...
In fact, the largest percentage of racing on the network came AFTER the purchase by FOX when it jumped from 30 percent to 70 percent following deals with Champ Car and several other series never before seen on Speedvision ...
After signing new deals with the World of Outlaws and the Knoxville Nationals this year, SPEED also is working on a deal to offer coverage of the TranSyberia Rally and several other new or extended deals with sanctioning bodies are in the works ... while racing certainly is a hallmark of the network, we will always be looking for new ideas ... it will constantly be in a state of change ...
Another fact is that Speedvision was never Nielsen Rated and no one had any idea how large the audiences for its shows were for years ... once the network subscribed to the national ratings system (however flawed it may be), it became painfully obvious that showing old race replays throughout the week was not a strategy that made any sense at all ... thus the introduction of more lifestyle programming midweek in prime time ...
It's always a bit funny to see people say "I hate all the lifestyle shows on SPEED except (fill in the blank) ... which simply means people watch what they like and change the channel if they don't ... the network is not programmed with the expectation that any one person will like it all ... we hope you find shows you enjoy and sample some of the new offerings -- both racing and non-racing ... then make the choice for yourself without being bullied into a position on the message boards ...
Believe me, SPEED appreciates the passion of its viewers and pays close attention to how shows perform under multiple criteria ... including message board rants ... so keep 'em coming ...
EARNESON, it's the plethora of "lifestyle shows" (as you call them) which the viewers are having a problem with. Personally, unless the show is actually showing how to build or repair something, then having a bunch of guys yelling at each other over silly timelines and the such is just filler TV and I don't remember Speedvision being full of that. A rocket launch would be preferred, thank you.
Let's take yesterday. I turn on Speed at 4:30ET and I see the next few hours filled with Pinks... Hmmm? Does Pinks classify as racing in the Speed boardroom. If it does, then yes, Speed shows waaaaaaaaay more racing than SV did.
Personally, I'd like to see Speed get away from ALL the shows with setup situations made to look like drama. We all know the type of show I'm talking about... Wrecked falls into that area.
EARNESON, it's the plethora of "lifestyle shows" (as you call them) which the viewers are having a problem with.
EARNESON, this is the main thing you should take out of this thread. SPEED has turned into "MTV." The reason a lot of us are here and will tune into SPEED because we are racing/car enthusiast. We are gearheads. We are asking for racing. Not just repeats of racing, but other forms of racing as well. Why isn't there SCCA rally or even WRC or SPEED anymore? Why not show the Supercrosses from earlier this year instead of "MONSTER JAM?" How about some Superbike races, or MX5 cup races? Racing/Racing highlight shows, tech shows, not contrived "reality" shows like every other mindless station has.
There is so much junk on speed right now that what it seems like during the week is filler until when the weekend comes with the racing.
I wouldn't object to the sprinkling of these so called "reality" shows in the SPEED programing, but when your schedule is made up of 90% reality fluf and 10% racing...well...it turns me off to why I wanted the SPEED channel in the first place.
I don't disagree with you, but painting a blanket statement that assumes that somehow a viewer who likes ALMS racing can't possibly enjoy PINKS or Wrecked or Livin' the Low Life just isn't accurate ... there has been and always will be a steady diet of "how to' type shows like Chop Cut Rebuild or Truck U on SPEED (they are most heavily watched on weekend mornings, which is probably the only time the guys have complete control of the household remote) ... and if that's what you like, it's here ... that doesn't mean it should ALL be racing and "how to" ... for example, we are setting attendance records all over the country when PINKS All Out tapes at a race track ... topping out near 30,000 and beating NHRA and IHRA attendance numbers ... now, someone here on the message boards may absolutely hate PAO (yet somehow they can give you a ton of show specifics which means they watch it) ... but because a handful of people come on the message boards and scream "I hate PAO," should we discount the 2.5 million viewers a week that tune in and enjoy the show, the thousands of people who attend the shoots and proudly wear the PAO gear ... weekdays are more geared toward broader audience ... it's definitely working as the network continues to grow and profit ... I'm not a big reality fan, but personally, I have enjoyed Livin' the Low Life -- because it was a culture I didn't know anything about and I've enjoyed seeing the passion these guys put into their cars ... it's a well-done show ... do I like ALL our shows? certainly not ... and I don't expect anyone else to either ... watch the ones you like ... and have fun on the boards ... keep blasting away ... sometimes you'll be right on the mark, and a show won't work and it will be gone the next season ... in television, it's simple ... majority rules ... I used to spend a lot of time on the boards, but it became repetitive and I got worn out trying to "correct" people posting misinformation based on ignorance or their own agenda (you'd be surprised how many posters are television producers whose show was canceled on SPEED, etc) ... this is a great place for us to get feedback, so keep it coming ... have a good weekend
I got worn out trying to "correct" people posting misinformation based on ignorance or their own agenda (you'd be surprised how many posters are television producers whose show was canceled on SPEED, etc) ... this is a great place for us to get feedback, so keep it coming ... have a good weekend
Yes, we're all former freaking SPEED producers or simply too stupid to grasp the subtle entertaining nuances of "the modern TV show". Yeah, great way to reply there bud.
No, we couldn't possibly be simple race/car fans and general motorheads, with an understanding that there's a whole big world out there & it's not being covered. No, we have to be stupid or have an agenda or maybe both.
That's OK. I don't know when it will happen but the "lifestyle shows" will eventually destroy themselves. Can't happen quick enough.
Question: What has been the growth of SPEED over the last twelve months, in terms of new households and average ratings?
Based on the amount of replaying of the very few shows which have gotten any traction (Pinks, Unique Wimps etc) and the continued "throw (low budget) stuff at the wall and see what sticks" type of approach to new programming, I'm guessing that there have been quite a few more strike outs than base hits, never mind "home runs", in the original programming area. The response is to get even farther away from core values with stuff like "Wrecked"?
I see an enterprise that has already experienced the easy growth, with the initial FOX based service provider relationships and business model, and is now not only struggling with it's identity, but also with determining how it can acheive further growth...my suggestion would be to feature more semi naked women and people hitting each other...hey, you might as well take this path to it's ultimate conclusion
Question: What has been the growth of SPEED over the last twelve months, in terms of new households and average ratings?
Based on the amount of replaying of the very few shows which have gotten any traction (Pinks, Unique Wimps etc) and the continued "throw (low budget) stuff at the wall and see what sticks" type of approach to new programming, I'm guessing that there have been quite a few more strike outs than base hits, never mind "home runs", in the original programming area. The response is to get even farther away from core values with stuff like "Wrecked"?
I see an enterprise that has already experienced the easy growth, with the initial FOX based service provider relationships and business model, and is now not only struggling with it's identity, but also with determining how it can acheive further growth...my suggestion would be to feature more semi naked women and people hitting each other...hey, you might as well take this path to it's ultimate conclusion
To answer a few questions while resisting the baiting ...
1) Never said all of the posters were former TV people ... just that some were ... certainly aware that most posters are fans of some form of racing or programming ... just warning people to be aware that "some" posters have agendas and purposely post inaccurate and often inflammatory information, while most are simply sharing their feelings ...
2) About growth, SPEED is now in nearly 73 million US households and more than 5 million in Canada ... we added nearly 400,000 homes in June and 1.5 million over a year ago ... also picking up a lot of traction for HD carriage, with Cablevision in NY adding SPEED HD ... Speedvision was at 30 million households in 2000 and had just turned its first profit, so there has been and continues to be substantial growth ... and with ratings, May 2008 was highest rated month in network history
3) I don't agree with the MTV analogy ... SPEED carries quite a bit of quality racing and has mutliple major relationships with NASCAR, F1, Grand Am, ALMS, WoO, World Superbike, Supercross, etc ... because we don't do as much of the low-rated Euro-centric racing that has had its turn on SPEED, doesn't mean we don't have racing ... it doesn't mean its not quality racing, because it is probably better pure racing than some series we do carry ... simply means the fan base doesn't match the cost to carry it ... also means advertisers weren't interested in supporting it
I think I answered the questions ... except for the issue of the dead rat and all the "junk" on SPEED ... message board bullies are a fun bunch ...
2) About growth, SPEED is now in nearly 73 million US households and more than 5 million in Canada ... we added nearly 400,000 homes in June and 1.5 million over a year ago ... ... and with ratings, May 2008 was highest rated month in network history
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I'm reading this is that you've had 1.5mm year over year growth in households, to a total of approx. 78mm (including Canada)? Unless my math is wrong, that is only about 2% growth in eyeballs...not too robust, compared to the huge gains that were acheived when service bundling was becoming prevalent...
Congrats on the higher ratings, though...you guys know your market much better than I do, obviously!
I would guess, with SPEED's higher ratings, but slowing in household growth and a weak general economy, advertising revenue is doing ok, but not great? The reason I ask is not to try to "slam" SPEED...I'm rooting for you guys to make enough money to have the latitude to do some high quality programming to build brand, even if it isn't profitable.
As you climber higher in network reach, the growth rate slows for everyone (I think the NFL network might actually have started going the other way already)... so, going from 30 to 50 million homes was easier than it will be to go from 70 to 90 million ... Hitting 80 million U.S. homes is the next magic number and is most likely a few years away unless we develop a true crossover hit TV show that makes the network a "must have" ... it will be fun to be here when that happens
And I really don't mind people taking their shots ... it simply means they give a #### and that's a big deal ... viewers feel a real sense of ownership in SPEED and other networks would kill for that kind of following ...
As long as its an honest critique with honest information, all is fair and welcome --
Eareson, please indulge us. Who are the former Speed producers with underhanded agenda? Out them.
Again, though, I guess we mere mortals just don't get it.
OK... fine, I'm clueless. May I make a suggestion? If "lifestyle programs" are going to be Speed's bread 'n butter, why not try something with a bit more imagination? How about the 80 mile/gallon challenge? Teams made up of engineering students, motorheads, retired engineers, universities etc... compete against each other to see who can squeeze the most performance out a family car with the smallest amount of energy. Speed will probably even get some yelling. Pam Anderson hosts... (hey gotta have a hook). Prize has to be good... maybe GM or Ford would want a piece of that.
Whole new demographic will watch. 'Speed Greens' or whatever.
BTW, on my sattelite provider, Speed comes in the same theme pack as 7 different sports stations I would simply not do without. At this point, Speed comes by default. Knowing I once had a superior product is a bit annoying though. The Outdoor Life Network & the NFL Network are also in that package... I don't watch them at all. Problem is, I love racing but hate football & havn't been able to hunt in years. So what those other networks do doesn't concern me.
Ah, you're right. The programs are just right. Any critism is a misunderstanding of the business & viewing preferences of the average viewer.
I think I answered the questions ... except for the issue of the dead rat and all the "junk" on SPEED ... message board bullies are a fun bunch ...
In seriousness, I do appreciate you coming out to face the horde. I own a business so I definitely respect the need to make money and that not all the things I like make money for SPEED. I'm just bummed at some of the places that SPEED is going in search of those profits. I literally don't even look to see what's on SPEED during the weekdays anymore -- whereas it used to be the first channel I turned on no matter what day or hour, and if something even half decent was on I didn't explore the competing alternatives.
BUT. If you ever take away F1... there will be blood
Serious question -- what is market research telling you is SPEED's "customer" or maybe more accurately "various customer segments"? For instance, is it possible that while some racing shows might have lower total people watching them, that audience is actually quite affluent (like F1? ALMS?) and therefore a very attractive segment? And that maybe some of the highly rated shows have audiences that are all unemployed or imprisoned? Okay, just kidding about the last part.
Craigmbo8 -- Never said the "programs were just right" ... simply said we'd keep trying new things ... some will work, some won't ... you guys will decide ... I'm just trying to give you honest information ... your "GreenSpeed" is already in the works ... SPEED is in talks with multiple groups about this line of programming
Randomname -- SPEED audience breaks into several audiences, some with crossover, some that don't -- some are NASCAR fans, non-NASCAR race fans, auto enthusiast, adrenaline junkies and DIYers ... you are right about some small groups being valuable (which is why we have had F1 since the network began ... despite no US event, F1 is seeing some growth this year in younger audiences as well) ... one thing we look at is which of these groups has the most growth potential ...
