4 replies to this topic

[Berner]

Dieter Recken has an interesting take on why F1 shouldn't fixate on America. While I agree with most of his argument, I would also like to draw readers to Gordon Kirby's recent column on the overall state of racing in the U.S. For those who don't know him, Mr. Kirby is a veteran reporter and writer of several motorsport-related books. View his column here: http://www.gordonkir...t_is_no552.html. Thanks.

[Prost1997T]

Nascar still rules the roost there as evidenced by its media saturation and solid (albeit relatively diminshed compared to its heyday) TV ratings. No amount of bleating about technology is changing that at this point.

Edited by Prost1997T, 30 September 2016 - 20:53.

[loki]

Racing is doing just fine in the US.  It's not the ratings powerhouse it once was back in Kirby's day but it's still respectable.  Chicago has always been a ratings and attendance clunker.  The only reason they are there is to serve the Chicago media market for sponsors.  There hasn't been mainstream support of either sports cars or Indycars for 20 years or so and even then sports cars petered out back in the Trans Am days.   The ratings system doesn't accurately reflect set top boxes, other digital streans or DVR viewings.  While they won't bring the numbers back to where they were, they do add to those viewing.    It's rare I watch an event live on traditional television and I watch a great deal of racing.

 

Just because a market is large from a viewer standpoint doesn't mean it can't be profitable or be used effectively as a marketing vehicle.  It's not so much how many you capture it's the demographic you capture.  F1 won't be nearly as large in the US as Nascar or as it is in the rest of the world but there is still some room for growth.

[jonpollak]

I for one hope our new overlords promote the **** out of it. Every person I meet in bars here go ape **** when they see F1 on TV... Saying things like "Dude that's SO much cooler than NASCAR"

[tokengator82]

Ratings in general have taken a hit across the board for 'most' things. The DVR has changed things draftically..streaming has changed things drastically..channel choices has changed things..and people pulling the plug (i guess this goes with straming) 

 

So you have to keep things in the proper context. 

 

Hell espn is getting absolutely crushed and is almost single handily hurting Disney's stock...pulling the plug/less scrips is hurting them, going full social justice warrior has hurt them...and their insane sports contracts are becoming a massive drag with all the other stuff going on. 

 

while a lot of TV is suffering live sports is still doing better than most....so if F1 can drum up interest there is still money to get as live product. 

 

F1 doesn't need to beat nascar to make a killing in the US, it is doing so poorly that there is plenty room for growth and every inch it gains will be a windfall relative to where it was. This is the largest and richest consumer market in the world -- you don't have to be the top to make a killing. You dont even have to be 2nd or 3rd to make a killing. There is A LOT of money to be had. It can definitely carve out a very nice and sustainable niche at the very least..and who knows, with the right marketing, the right exposure, the right plan...americans might even embrace F1. The Indy500 is still popular and it is single seater open wheel cars...there is a history of success with this form of racing..there is something to grab onto if you tickle the right spot and exploit it. Indycar hasn't quite done it but it could just be that it is the product or crappy plan/marketingt -- of course F1 is a better product at its best anyway....But there has to be a plan and willingness to stick with the plan. it can't just be sticking the toes in the water and quickly pulling out if things dont go exactly as planned initially. F1 has a lot to offer, especially if a few of the competitive issues can be worked out..it is a great freaking product. 

 

We were told for years that european football just doesn't work in the US but the EPL were persistent and determined to crack this market and their ratings have grown each of the last few years and the popularity is growing. I can now see every single EPL game on TV here in the USA..which would have been unheard of just 5 years ago and i think most people would have laughed you out of the room if you said "one day every single EPL game on saturday and Sunday will air live in the USA, and it will even be on one of the major networks on NFL sundays!" 

Edited by tokengator82, 01 October 2016 - 04:39.