Some good news about ABC and Homestead

[Fueler]

I just did a quick review of TV listings for ABC and the Homestead race, and based on what I can find on the net, it appears that the race will be broadcast either live or same day tape delayed in 17 of the top 20 ADI markets in the country.

I realize it doesn't help much if your market isn't one of those 17, but it does insure that the IRL product will have some wide reach and get some good national ratings.

In some cases, especially the western markets, the tape delay may actually benefit the numbers, as delaying the broadcast to later in the day will move it closer to "prime time" and a larger number of potential viewers.

It is also important to note that both Phoenix and the L.A. markets appear to be running the event live, which should serve as good advance PR for the next two IRL events.

[dream69]

thanks fueler.

a little silver lining.

[Guest]

Which are the other two besides Detroit?

[Polecat]

In the Phoenix market they are already running a great looking commercial for the race out here. I saw it twice on the NBC affiliate yesterday. It looks like a commercial put out by the IRL, not the race track.

[JoeBob]

Here's the list of the top 20 TV Markets:
The market rankings came from: http://tv.zap2it.com/resources/stati...rket_2001.html
I then took the listed affiliate for that city from http://abc.abcnews.go.com/abc/utilit...lstations.html
And got the listings from http://XXXX.titantv.com/apg/APG_Grid.asp (substitute the station call letters for XXXX to get that station's listings.)

I only did the top 20 markets, since thats what the original post was for, and because its a royal pain in the butt! If somebody wants to go through the rest of the list, all the tools you need are listed above!

Rank City TV Homes % of US Race Status
1 New York 6,935,610 6.787 LIVE
2 Los Angeles 5,354,150 5.240 TAPE (3PM Local)
3 Chicago 3,244,850 3.175 LIVE
4 Philadelphia 2,703,480 2.646 LIVE
5 San Francisco-Oak-San Jose 2,431,720 2.380 TAPE (3PM Local)
6 Boston (Manchester) 2,242,240 2.194 LIVE
7 Dallas-Ft. Worth 2,069,010 2.025 LIVE
8 Washington, DC (Hagrstwn) 2,047,340 2.004 JIP (2-3PM)
9 Detroit 1,873,620 1.834 NO
10 Atlanta 1,857,220 1.817 LIVE
11 Houston 1,747,350 1.710 JIP (12:30-2PM)
12 Seattle-Tacoma 1,605,900 1.572 TAPE (3PM)
13 Minneapolis-St. Paul 1,510,130 1.478 NO
14 Tampa-St. Pete (Sarasota) 1,507,790 1.476 LIVE
15 Cleveland 1,488,270 1.456 LIVE
16 Miami-Ft. Lauderdale 1,468,630 1.437 LIVE
17 Phoenix 1,441,660 1.411 LIVE
18 Denver 1,312,300 1.284 LIVE
19 Sacramnto-Stktn-Modesto 1,187,000 1.162 TAPE (3PM)
20 Pittsburgh 1,128,810 1.105 JIP (2-3PM)

JIP = "Joined In Progress"

[Defender]

Doesn't look as bad as it could. I suggest we keep the cards and letters flowing to ensure 100% coverage, as it should be.

[Truth Detector]

Originally posted by Polecat:
<STRONG>In the Phoenix market they are already running a great looking commercial for the race out here. I saw it twice on the NBC affiliate yesterday. It looks like a commercial put out by the IRL, not the race track.</STRONG>

I saw it last night on the FoxSportsArizona channel during a Nascar show.

Great ad.

[500 fan first]

thats 45% of the top 20 markets either not showing, tape delaying, or joining in progress. 45% of the top 20!!!!!! keep telling yourselves its ok. if ABC took deFenders advice they would have a smaller audience than speedvision by saturday.

[ February 26, 2002: Message edited by: 500 fan first ]

[CamKing]

So out of the top 20. 3.312% of the U.S. households won't get the race, and another 4.819% will only get part of the race.

I don't think this is any reason to look at leaving ABC.

TG said this was because of a late change in race dates. Nothing is perfect, things like this are always going to happen.

BTW, matt if you still want to have your IRL race party, you can order DirecTV and have installed in time to watch the race on either the Live NY affiliate or @ 6:00pm on the LA affiliate.

[Perkolater]

Originally posted by CamKing:
<STRONG> you can order DirecTV and have installed in time to watch the race on either the Live NY affiliate or @ 6:00pm on the LA affiliate.</STRONG>

No you can't. Unless you live out in the boonies somewhere that is not covered by a local affiliate. You get local channels on DirecTv.. They cracked down on the rest.

[Guest]

Originally posted by Perkolater:
<STRONG>

No you can't. Unless you live out in the boonies somewhere that is not covered by a local affiliate. You get local channels on DirecTv.. They cracked down on the rest. </STRONG>

Yep, same with dish network. Once your area signs up - you get the local affiliate feed. Most majot TV markets had the local affiliates sign up instead of holding out because it meant more revenue. Hmm - revenue - there is that word.

[CamKing]

Originally posted by 500 fan first:
<STRONG>thats 45% of the top 20 markets either not showing, tape delaying, or joining in progress. 45% of the top 20!!!!!!

</STRONG>

Last, do you actually think Tape delaying the race hurts the viewership? The olimpics were tape delayed on the west coast, and it seems to have not hurt the figure skating #'s very much. I would almost think that you added the tape delayed #'s just to make the percentage look like a big number, but that would be trolling, and we all know you wouldn't do that.

Fact: Around 90% of U.S. households will be able to watch the whole race on Saturday.

Fact: Another 5% of U.S. households will be able to watch some of the race on Saturday.

[500 fan first]

Originally posted by CamKing:
<STRONG>
Last, do you actually think Tape delaying the race hurts the viewership? The olimpics were tape delayed on the west coast, and it seems to have not hurt the figure skating #'s very much. I would almost think that you added the tape delayed #'s just to make the percentage look like a big number, but that would be trolling, and we all know you wouldn't do that.
</STRONG>

tape delaying will kill the already barely measurable #s in that market, because the IRL is a niche sport. comparing it to the olympics is downright funny. at least the olympics, when tape delayed, played when they were supposed to according to the network. i included the tape delayed #s because deHooter was calling for anyone not showing it live to lose their affiliation. thats 45% of the top 20 markets ABC wouldnt broadcast in anymore. over a race that will draw a .5.

[ February 26, 2002: Message edited by: 500 fan first ]

[500 fan first]

Originally posted by CamKing:
<STRONG>


Fact: Around 90% of U.S. households will be able to watch the whole race on Saturday.

Fact: Another 5% of U.S. households will be able to watch some of the race on Saturday.</STRONG>

hardly, you are applying the #s for the top 20 to the entire country. there are many more secondary markets that arent showing it, so you really have no idea what those #s are.

[Defender]

Frankly, I don't understand the need some members have to visit the fine folks here at TrackForum to tell us all how bad it's going to be this weekend.

It's not going to be bad.

Most of us are in agreement that a handful of ABC affiliates who have chosen not to air the race or tape delay it is a bad thing. The reasonable among us have taken the advice to:

-Write to the local stations.

-Write to the IRL offices.

-Write to ABC's Affiliate Relations management and ABC Sports management to express displeasure that a handful of affiliates are preempting network programming.

We have dealt with this little setback and moved forward.

The IRL is preparing to kick off another season, as always bigger and better than the last.

We'll get to see the vast majority of the races live on ABC television and its 110,000,000+ households. The others will be broadcast on a top-3 cable channel.

Homestead has sold a lot of tickets.

What, exactly, is wrong with the picture, kids? We're preparing to begin the most exciting season of our history!

Why not enjoy it?