Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days???

[Bret Kepner]

More answers:

Originally Posted by Jeff Kempton

As far as Inside Drag Racing goes, unfortunately here in Canada we do not get that show (I say this through gritted teeth). We also do not get the full ESPN race coverage; instead for each event we only get a single condensed show on TSN of about 2-2.5 hours' duration, usually aired only once and at the most inconvenient time possible.

While I knew IDR was not aired in Canada, I'll admit I had no idea the NHRA shows were condensed up there, Jeff. That sucks!

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

I would think that the amount paid to air the show would be determined by what day and time it would be aired at, say, Sat night 8PM EST as opposed to Thurs morning 1PM EST.

Well…yes and no. All weekend time slots are considered “prime time” so it costs the same, (the highest rate possible), no matter when a show airs between 11:59 PM Friday until 5:59 AM Monday. During weekdays, most networks have three different tiers of time slots, (morning, afternoon, and overnight), with prime time from 6:00 PM to midnight. However, the sole determining factor of airtime for sale is whatever time slot the network has not already filled. With major cable networks like ESPN or SPEED, timeslots only become available after shows for which the networks really do pay, (i.e., NASCAR, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, PGA and most all college sports). The time is sold on a flat rate basis no matter what the time of day. If you want it, you pay the rate. If you don't, it's of no concern to the network because folks are lined up to pay for the slot at the going rate.

Most folks don't consider the NHRA's partnership with ESPN much of a "deal" but the main benefit to NHRA was the ability to gain better airtimes for their shows. In other words, NHRA's agreement is more than a straight purchase of time. They pay a fairly standard rate but get access to prime time slots when they're available. However, the NHRA shows are still secondary programming to the network's main financial concerns. If an event for which ESPN is paying runs longer than its predicted duration, everything else gets bumped. This often creates a chain reaction among the "bought" shows which can disrupt NHRA's scheduled airings even though the show which "went long" aired hours earlier.

When folks complain of a cheerleading show pre-empting NHRA coverage, it's almost always because a stick/ball game "went long" and the entire evening schedule was bumped. It wasn't the cheerleading competition getting preference or special consideration.

Originally Posted by Jeff Kempton

If I understand you correctly, then the lawn mower racers/demo derbies/snowmobile racers pay up to $60,000 (less the revenue from the commercial time) to have their event produced and televised? I must say I'm shocked that some of these organizations can afford that much money.

If you look closely, you'll note almost all of these events, (not the shows but the events), have at least one major sponsor to whom rights were sold in promise of major television coverage. That's how they cover the majority of expense.

To avoid getting long-winded in my previous response, (HA!), I did not detail production cost choices. Using Inside Drag Racing as an example, coverage can be purchased for a little as $15,000 for a one-camera "shoot" with a commentator. However, you'll only get about twelve minutes of coverage in a twenty-three minute show, too. Coverage, (and cost), can be increased with more cameras and more airtime within the show. I'll point out shows like On the Edge offer fewer production choices and, therefore, tend to hang around those $2,000-per minute figures I mentioned earlier. The NHRA's Full Throttle coverage actually costs more than $2,000 per minute to produce and air but they also get a few (small) breaks due to their partnership with ESPN.

Originally Posted by Jason Oldfield

If you can catch IDR, their shows are decent when they're not 30 minute long commercials (which they typically do in the off-season around SEMA and PRI), but they typically only have one camera filming so you're not going to get the type of production that you get from an NHRA race.

Technically, every episode of Inside Drag Racing is a “thirty-minute commercial” because every show has been purchased by somebody…in its entirety. The same goes for On The Edge and dozens of other shows. The broadcasts from PRI/SEMA are a bit different; manufacturers are sold the time to showcase their products on a minute-by-minute basis. The cost to the manufacturer is much cheaper than the price of an actual commercial and, since the feature is within the confines of the show, it gains more attention.

Originally Posted by Jeff Kempton

…less the revenue from the commercial time…

Originally Posted by SS Engine Guy

So who gets the money for the commercials? The production company? Since it owns the air time?

I’ll address both questions concerning commercial revenue. Virtually all networks retain a percentage of commercial time for their own sale. It varies depending on the size of the network but, in rough numbers, they keep one quarter of the spots for their own sale.

Originally Posted by Jason Oldfield

I've noticed that recently the guide on my DVR has said IDR, but it ends up being Two Guys Garage!

That was a weird deal; Masters Entertainment Group took over the Two Guys Garage, (now Motorhead Garage), and FOX wanted to experiment with time slots so the normal season schedule of IDR was interrupted for a few weeks. Unfortunately, FOX failed to note this change in their posted schedule and all DVRs picked it up as an episode of IDR.

Originally Posted by Jeff Kempton

Were the Diamond P shows financed the same way, or was that "another era" in Motorsports TV?

Not only was it a different era, it was a different century. One needs to remember the NHRA didn't begin airing on ESPN until the late 1990s. Prior to that, ESPN carried IHRA exclusively and many of the NHRA shows were sydicated. The Nashville Network shows were first produced by Opryland Productions and later by Diamond P motorsports. When CBS purchased TNN in 1996, the NHRA began courting ESPN for exclusive coverage. At the same time, a critical political error was made by the IHRA which caused ESPN to drop them like a rock. I should mention I was already out of the IHRA coverage by that time.

In the early 1980s, cable networks, (including ESPN), were begging for shows simply to fill the daily schedule. The major networks had a lock on stick/ball coverage deals so the cable gang was willing to put nearly anything on the air. Through the ‘80s and most of the ‘90s, the cable networks would offer to air the show at no (cash) charge but would retain all but a few of the commercial slots for their own sale. In rare instances, (including the early IHRA shows beginning in ‘83), the network offered production support as well. In other words, they came to race and covered it with their own equipment and personnel.

As cable ratings grew and access to the cable system became widespread, that business model changed drastically. When the last of the original cable executives left the industry, the “new deal” became a simple sale of airtime to all but the sports for which the networks paid broadcast rights. By the way, airtime is for sale on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, too…at prices you simply wouldn’t believe.

When discussing NHRA races on TNN, it's important to remember we're talking about shows which aired a quarter-century ago. It's ancient history. As Travis noted, the world has changed and those who refuse to accept that fact get left behind.

A100 made a huge point, by the way. Coverage by “live stream” has become huge and the ADRL, (for whom I’m a contractor), has experienced incredible success with its InterNet shows. Commercial time is sold for the feeds and, for all intents and purposes, the “stream” has become a television show which does not need to rely on a hosting television network. Unfortunately, most viewers do not yet view InterNet content on their living room television but, when they do, the entire world of televised events will change.

Toby, I remember well your trip to Shreveport; we were flattered to have you in attendance that weekend and it was no surprise when you won.

As for Jim Bailey…luckily, we were able to make him a global television personality while he was still good-looking.