Ratings

[backmarker]

What would you expect the average tv ratings per race to be?
Is a 2.0 share possible?

[Dr. Russell]

What would you expect the average tv ratings per race to be?
Is a 2.0 share possible?

I would think if they pulled a 0.75 they would be thrilled!

[dreamracer]

I don't see consistent 2's for a couple years, after some significant investment in marketing.

[sabin_24]

Do we have to start the ratings threads before we even get to the first race?

[Z28]

Do we have to start the ratings threads before we even get to the first race?

At least nobody is posting photos of grandstands for attendance comparisons.

But. This year anything topping 1.0 on Sunday will be a noticeable gain most places. The Saturday night races will have to fight to 1.0. 2009 could see 2.0 be commonplace IF and only IF the marketing and promotion really steps up.

[Vasserfan]

I don't know, while it was a good press conference, i don't think it will get a 2.0. Maybe a 1.5 or something, but a 2.0 for a press conference is a bit much, don't you think.

[Cole Trickle]

What makes you think ratings are going to increase?

[The JP]

I have to agree with ol' Cole here. While the series is now unified, which will help dispell the "brand confusion", there are still a large number of problems which need to be overcome before there will be any significant increases in ratings. Other than Indianapolis, open wheel racing on a national scale is largely irrelevant in the U.S. today. Unless a large number of NASCAR drivers come over to the IRL it will remain that way. The only way to make a difference in any significant way is to spend a dump truck full of money on maketing the series. The budget must be doubled or even tripled. People must be beaten over the head that this is the best racing on the planet and they are going to hell if they miss it. Kick the "production partner" (ESPN) in the ass and get them to actually be a partner. The broadcast airwaves must be flooded with promotions of races, drivers, race tracks, etc. And not just during IRL races for heavens sake! Place ads in prime time popular shows, place ads during NASCAR races, place ads during golf tournements, and anything else that can be thought of. Do it early and do it often! The buzz over "unification" is only going to last so long and then, when ratings go back to barely readable, what will be the excuse?

[dog-ring]

Gone to Biz...................

[markinsand]

What makes you think ratings are going to increase?

Phase 1- underpants

Phase 2- ???

Phase 3- profits



we are in phase 2 right now

[RacerX]

Thats what i was thinking!

:tg :kk

[irloyal]

Will we have pictures of the stands and ratings comparsons for the LB/Motegi double header?

[Craigar1]

What would you expect the average tv ratings per race to be?
Is a 2.0 share possible?

Most of them a tick higher than last year, but not a lot.

I would assume that Motegi will get its usual ghost town numbers, and LB will depend on the TV package/competition. (Still tape delay, ESPN2?)

As I recall, the Vegas CC race had nearly double the viewers of LB (although still small).

[skypigeon]

Will we have pictures of the stands and ratings comparsons for the LB/Motegi double header?

For old times' sake, right? The Grand Finale?

[Indyknut]

I have to agree with ol' Cole here. While the series is now unified, which will help dispell the "brand confusion", there are still a large number of problems which need to be overcome before there will be any significant increases in ratings. Other than Indianapolis, open wheel racing on a national scale is largely irrelevant in the U.S. today. Unless a large number of NASCAR drivers come over to the IRL it will remain that way. The only way to make a difference in any significant way is to spend a dump truck full of money on maketing the series. The budget must be doubled or even tripled. People must be beaten over the head that this is the best racing on the planet and they are going to hell if they miss it. Kick the "production partner" (ESPN) in the ass and get them to actually be a partner. The broadcast airwaves must be flooded with promotions of races, drivers, race tracks, etc. And not just during IRL races for heavens sake! Place ads in prime time popular shows, place ads during NASCAR races, place ads during golf tournements, and anything else that can be thought of. Do it early and do it often! The buzz over "unification" is only going to last so long and then, when ratings go back to barely readable, what will be the excuse?

Just dumping tons of money into marketing is a waste of money. If you don't know who the audience is you're trying to reach you're spending gobs of money in-effectively by shotgunning large masses of people, many of whom won't be interested in your product.

It seems from the comments so far, TG is going to go with the Ultimate racing challenge of multiple disciplines of race venues. If he decides to go with higher tech equipment than what is run now he's narrowed the demograph even tighter.

Then you spend money on a very good marketing group that knows how to identify your audience best suited for your product and how to most prudently spend money to reach them. Advertising and marketing costs are extremely expensive. No point in wasting it on groups of people who probably won't be interested in your product regardless of how cleverly you try and sell it.