NBC Sports - A waste of time

Jim DeShon · Post by **Jim DeShon** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:37 pm

I tried to watch NBC's coverage of the Montreal champ car race today. That was a waste of time. After they blabbed on about disputes and showed fist fights between drivers for 20 minutes they showed 6 laps of the race until it was called by rain. They then staggered on trying to keep the show alive by showing the rain and chattering ! Show the race or cut to something else for god's sake. TV coverage of racing is getting worse every year. They seem to be following the NASCAR role model of "soap opera and commercials on wheels".
sorry ...just venting.

...J.D.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 5:55 pm

I'd compare NBC/ABC/CBS to GM/Ford/Chrys; all driving away customers as fast as possible. None of them able to figure out what the customer wants, trying to force products on them. Networks sending viewers to cable/satellite, automakers pushing them to imports.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:16 pm

cannot disagree there. I cannot tell you the last time i watched a prime time "network" show except for a few minutes of letterman.

course, i am usually outside in the garage or pushing my spider to its limit.....shut the tube off and go outside!! Now, do i sound like your dad?

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:20 pm

I prefer listening to the races on the radio. Too much mundane talk and not enough of racing action on t.v.

spidernut · Post by **spidernut** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:37 pm

I was a big NASCAR fan...emphasis on the word "was." I have found the networks have apparently decided the same people who love WWF coverage, love NASCAR too. The coverage is based on the same basic broadcast formula.

The networks no longer emphasize the competitive aspect of the race. It is apparently all about the personality conflicts and soap opera antics of the participants. The cheesy commentators with put-on deep voices, the parade of "special interviews", and explanations of how a car brake calipers work is not only condescending, but flat out boring. If I have to see another demonstration of a roof flap deployment or discussion of how a track bar is adjusted, I'll explode.

Last week, I was in a training class that was discussing network television. The newest ratio of television programming to commercials is 17 minutes of programming to 13 minutes of commercials. At a near 50/50 ratio, I have no interest at all. I've found that I'm receiving more information on jock itch, herpes, various brands of beer, Stacker 2, and Girls Gone Wild than I am regarding the actual races.

I feel your pain Jim!

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 9:26 pm

be thankful for Speed channel!

Joe Clemente · Post by **Joe Clemente** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:21 am

So Cal Mark wrote:be thankful for Speed channel!

You mean NASCAR TV, Mark

Personally I think it's the worst. I am glad they do televise some other forms of motorsport as well but watching Speed has for the most part become an exercise in redneck ritual drama. I appreciate the fact that NASCAR is just a giant marketing machine but you gotta ask yourself if they haven't just completely lost sight of the car theme altogether when they force feed us with prime time good ol boy Texas Hold'em...

They even took away that one faint glimmering hope of redemption when they canned Nascar garage. (deemed too technical).

Interestingly, my friend who lives in Munich Germany subscribes to a motorsport channel that is jammed pacted with F1, DTM, WTCC, FIA Rally and the like. Technical anaysis, pre and post race stuff, the actual race itself where, incidentally, he can jump from car to car, different camera angles..

, no commercials...

and the channel makes no mention of Nascar at all.

Where do I sign up?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:31 am

just wait until Nascar next season implements the car of tomorrow

. Basically a spec car class, everyone running the same car. Speed channel at least shows something other than Nascar. I have found network Nascar broadcasts to be a great time to take a nap.

Joe Clemente · Post by **Joe Clemente** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 2:02 am

"Car of tomorrow"... they're gonna mount a wing!

Interesting. Doesn't Nascar do a spec car thing already? Basically a chassis series right now. But what's their rationale for this up and coming formula?

What do you think of the Australian Super v8 series? I would think that's good idea if they want to run a spec car class.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:07 am

Their rationale is to make the cars exactly the same so no one car manufacturer will have an edge over another in terms of aerodynamics. The only way you'll know it's a Chevy is by the grille. Nascar has already taken the personality out of the drivers, might as well take it out of the cars too. There were too many people complaining about certain cars having an advantage over others. It also cuts down on the templates needed at tech. Next year it will be nice sterile racing at its best.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 8:23 am

reduce everything to the lowest common denominator, and what do you get? Seems to be the rally cry of our society. It is done in the schools, in the government, in church, at Wally-World.....why not in NASCAR too?

Take out originality, take out individuality, take out initiative and spunk...this is what you get.

By the way, Joe; SPEED channel is not just Nascar. You forgot NOPI Nation. For some reason, ever since it was created, I stop by SPEED channel- -just to give it one more chance at entertaining me; and it never fails to fail me.

Shut the bugger off, set down the remote and go wrench something.

Joe Clemente · Post by **Joe Clemente** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:23 pm

Nopi... Forgot about that one.

Shut the bugger off, set down the remote and go wrench something.

Good advice!

spidernut · Post by **spidernut** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:36 am

What ever happened to the good old days when NASCAR vehicles had to be production bodies that were unmodified? Part of the fun of NASCAR was the competition between manufacturers. The new format is basically the same as IROC. A bunch of template cars, all equipped the same, and rolling around the track going exactly the same speed. If you can't draft effectively, you're out. What fun is that?

NASCAR removed the competition of body design, regulated weight, regulated tire size and compounds, regulated carb. size, regulated fuel tanks, regulated safety devices, regulate speed in the pits, regulate "racing to the line", regulate freedom of speech about NASCAR officials and decisions, slap the hands of drivers who get emotional on the track, and control just about everything else about racing. Sure, some are for safety and that's good, but I'm trying to figure out how there's much of a sport left in it.

Also, what happened to the "SC" in their name - isn't it supposed to stand for "stock car"? I see nothing stock about them other than the production name assigned to the cars.

I exercised my rights as a private citizen and stopped watching. As the viewership decreases, advertising decreases, revenues decrease and NASCAR may change their ways or die out as a entity.

I have now stepped down from the soapbox. Time will tell if it was a good decision or not for their organization.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:11 am

Ron and I were just talking about that last night while watching the Richmond race. The only thing that will determine the manufacturer is the grille and the engine block. Nothing else will differentiate a Ford from a Chevrolet. It kind of takes the competition of the sport down another peg, doesn't it? They need to change the name to NACOT (National Associaton for Cars Of Tomorrow).

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 12:38 pm

all the criticism from long time fans is well and good, but Nascar is enjoying the most popularity the sport has ever had. Thanks to the most successful sports marketing program ever, Nascar has infiltrated every day life for nearly everyone.
I'll agree it has become very IROC-like, and the races are mostly boring. The only races I make a point of watching are the road-course races in Somona and NY, the others are like background music; don't really need to pay attention to them.
I'm curious how Nascar will deal with Toyota; since their v8 is an overhead cam motor will they be running a chevy with Toyo valve covers?