Going through the ESPN TV Listings for the next couple months and a few things jumped out at me.
Firstly, the lack of Qualifying shows. I know I went over this before and I won't repeat it but this definelty a missed opportunity for IRL exposrue, namely the drivers. The excuse Jask Arute told me was that ABC/ESPN wanted to put more into the race broadcasts. I could believe that is the time slots were longer, but they are not! we will be lucky just to get a winner interview again. Seems the only thing ABC has added to the broadcasts this year is more announcers!
Hopefully the daily reports at Indy and Pole/Bump will not be effected.
Secondly, no race re-broadcasts this year. It was nice to know that if you somehow missed an event or if your VCR screwed up that you could get the race again later in the week. I know this is not across the board because the CTS is having re-broadcasts.
I am really beginning to quesiton ABC/ESPN's level of commitment to the IRL. When ESPN had all four series (IRL,CART, WC,NHRA) there was certainly more coverage, the was qualifiyng and for WC even Happy Hour. I can't understand the reduction in coverage. With only two of those series gone, the costs certainly have gone down. There are less number of announcers to shuttle and places to send them. How can ABC say they are upping their commitment to the IRL but reduce the coverage?
I would rather have qualifying than the IRL2Day show, it ususally is on too far in advacne of the race to watch. If it was on 30 min before the race it would be a nice lead in, but to have it at Noon (in the caase of the Phoenix 4 PM race) in some instances doesn't make sense.
I do not expect ESPN to have numerous shows about the IRL, but decent race weekend coverage is expected to be of qualifying & the race broadcast, this standard was set by themselves, not the fans.
I am happy and give ESPN credit for the Pit Pass show, but I would gladly swap it for qualifying or even have qualifying replace the IRL2Day show.
I wonder if TG realizes how much the IRL coverage has been reduced this year? And I have made my commments known to all I could: Fred Nation, Jack Arute, JohnK, and ABC sports. Unfortunately, I think it all fell on deaf ears.
Firstly, the lack of Qualifying shows. I know I went over this before and I won't repeat it but this definelty a missed opportunity for IRL exposrue, namely the drivers. The excuse Jask Arute told me was that ABC/ESPN wanted to put more into the race broadcasts. I could believe that is the time slots were longer, but they are not! we will be lucky just to get a winner interview again. Seems the only thing ABC has added to the broadcasts this year is more announcers!
Hopefully the daily reports at Indy and Pole/Bump will not be effected.
Secondly, no race re-broadcasts this year. It was nice to know that if you somehow missed an event or if your VCR screwed up that you could get the race again later in the week. I know this is not across the board because the CTS is having re-broadcasts.
I am really beginning to quesiton ABC/ESPN's level of commitment to the IRL. When ESPN had all four series (IRL,CART, WC,NHRA) there was certainly more coverage, the was qualifiyng and for WC even Happy Hour. I can't understand the reduction in coverage. With only two of those series gone, the costs certainly have gone down. There are less number of announcers to shuttle and places to send them. How can ABC say they are upping their commitment to the IRL but reduce the coverage?
I would rather have qualifying than the IRL2Day show, it ususally is on too far in advacne of the race to watch. If it was on 30 min before the race it would be a nice lead in, but to have it at Noon (in the caase of the Phoenix 4 PM race) in some instances doesn't make sense.
I do not expect ESPN to have numerous shows about the IRL, but decent race weekend coverage is expected to be of qualifying & the race broadcast, this standard was set by themselves, not the fans.
I am happy and give ESPN credit for the Pit Pass show, but I would gladly swap it for qualifying or even have qualifying replace the IRL2Day show.
I wonder if TG realizes how much the IRL coverage has been reduced this year? And I have made my commments known to all I could: Fred Nation, Jack Arute, JohnK, and ABC sports. Unfortunately, I think it all fell on deaf ears.
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