The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

re: The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

Racingfan — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:13:28 GMT

The baby boomer age group should love to see racing on tv since they were at the tracks back when racing was a big deal! Somebody should focus on that for sure! Where were all the preps on tv this year? If not for TVG I wouldn't have seen a one and many of those were tape delay from HRTV which I don't get. Hank Goldberg needs to go. He is just too irritating--my mute button comes in handy when he is on. And personally I don't like the fashion stuff they show so much of now. I tape the pre-race so I can fast forward thru all that junk. I would like to see a lot more horses and industry people profiled in the pre-race coverage! Local tracks should attract fans to the track for a "triple crown like" celebration and it should be ADVERTISED all over for a period of time prior to grab attention. That way people who can't actually be there can still experience it to some degree. Just my thoughts......

re: The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

MD Reynolds — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:00:08 GMT

I was very disappointed to see that NBC has failed to show any of the derby prep races! Also,

P L E A S E lose Hank!

re: The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

Oldie — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:12:07 GMT

LauraJ I agree wholeheartedly - I am a female who has watched sporting events since I was a small child, and in the case of horse racing, I think auto racing coverage provides important lessons along with some coverage of dog shows. Between the two, one should be able to arrive at appropriate coverage for horse racing, no? It is a contest of speed between animals many viewers either own or have had contact with. It isn't a fashion show, a "reality" show, an awards show or an Entertainment Tonight type show, so I fail to understand why NBC and Bravo try to make it into some conglomeration of those things. Watch a Formula One race sometime - you learn about the cars, the drivers, the team principals and owners, the rules, what it takes to reach the point each team and team-member is at, and even some industry gossip. If a celeb is present they get a few seconds on camera, then back to the event. Believe it or not, no one seems to miss the garbage that Network Honchos think serves as entertainment. Just my two cents.

re: The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

LauraJ — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:47:49 GMT

Quote:

"As far as sponsors, with the Kentucky Derby as the center piece, focus on fashion and lifestyle would appeal to the masses and media. The high life and celebrity engagements flow into mainstream news broadcasts regularly now."

Please no. My main objection to NBC's sports coverage (HATE their Olympic broadcasts) is that they focus way too much on such fluff. I remember last year's Oaks Day coverage on Bravo, featuring the Real Housewives of somewhere-or-other. The host was Bravo's Andy Cohen, who knows nothing about horse racing. (He called jockeys "little fellas" and was surprised that they have agents.) Very little was said about horseracing. Maybe they are using the fluff to attract women, but most female sports fans I know are actually interested in sports. Anyway, there are plenty of interesting women (and men too)--trainers. jockeys, owners, etc.---that could be the subject of relevant human interest stories. I don't need to hear more about Paris Hilton and her ilk, no matter how fancy their hats. Can we please hear about, say, Rosie Napravnik instead?

I think the idea of following the offspring of famous horses is great.

re: The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

Monica — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:14:25 GMT

I agree with Fran! True that most horses, especially colts, have short careers. Here today gone (to "the shed") tomorrow! This can discourage fans from following the sport year after year. But through their offspring, their careers continue. Therefore, the angle suggested by Fran for pre-race stories is a good one! I, for one, follow the offspring of my favorites- Smarty and Alex being two.

re: The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

Lee — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 04:39:57 GMT

I also miss Jim McKay!

I thoroughly enjoy Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss but they are on ABC/ESPN not NBC....

re: The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

Merry — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:27 GMT

I can't believe there were only 4 comments - this is an important blog. What's the deal - it was too nuts and bolts?!?!

re: The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

Fran Loszynski — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 15:28:43 GMT

I still can't forget the Kentucky Derby when Afleet Alex's son and Smarty Jones son walked down the turf to race. They also by coincidence had side by side post positions! what were the chances of that? Little was said. Both sires had remarkable stories and "there were their sons, side by side!" The channel that plays these races NBC I hope elaborates on these things in the Derby.

re: The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

Slew — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:27:41 GMT

I still miss ABC coverage with Jim McKay...there has been none better.

re: The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

Merry — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:17:17 GMT

PLEASE take off Hank the looser - that guy is a total turn off to racing. Jerry Baily and Randy Mosss are what are needed for MCs. Gary Stevens is insightful too.

re: The Skinny on NBC hosting all three...consistency

Kathryn — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:41:11 GMT

I completely agree! Though the camera work is artistic and fun, it is not exactly the best way to view a horse race. Even through following the race call, it is sometimes difficult to visually figure out what horse is leading. I really do not see the necessity of having the "artsy" view, instead of the most accessible and the view that is most easily followed. However, NBC does a fantastic job covering each horse's story, each trainer's background, and the strugles and/or triumphs of each competitor. This helps un-regular racing fans be pulled directly into the race, become more involved, and therefore, possibly a new racing fan. Racing needs fans, and overall, NBC has the ability to pull them in. But there is still work for them to do to perfect the viewing and enjoyment of horse racing for the direhard and occasional fan.