"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Ullrich not credited by Roll and Gum

OLN has given wonderful coverage so far. Phil and Paul are amazing. Frankie A. for the interviews is also very professional and knowledgable. But personally, I think that Roll and Gum go over the top on the Lance thing. As an example, Roll was ridiculing the Bianchi team and saying that Ullrich would not last on the stage where he had to go to the back of the peleton to get his own water. He continually points out the overall superiority of the Postal team_BUT_ he fails to credit Ullrich with keeping up with Lance with such an obvious handicap. If Bianchi is so inferior to Postal, and if team strategy and support is so important for the eventual winner, then how come Ullrich is not given credit for staying in contention even without these advantages?

I think that Roll and Gum are so hyper-American and pro-Armstrong that they may turn off a few viewers. Much more balance is given by Paul and Phil and Frankie.

By the way, I think Lance is great as well, but I like a good competition, not a runnaway coronation, and Lance does not need any help from the studio.

I think you're right. I have not watched one minute of TV coverage of the TDF, but let me ask, Barnaby, has anyone mentioned that USPS is ranked #4 in the teams competition and Bianchi is ranked #5?

just propaganda.

I don't have the US coverage here so I can't say one way or the other, but by what you've said, they could end up looking very stupid if Lance doesn't come away with the win.

I think Lance will hold on for the win but no one can say for sure until Sunday.

If they belittle Ullrich's performance and then he wins it'll make them look like amateurs.

oh yes, they would really look like donkeys.
Either they don´t even mention Ullrich´s win or they find 1001 excuses for Armstrong´s defeat.

Originally posted by Piratello
oh yes, they would really look like donkeys.
Either they don´t even mention Ullrich´s win or they find 1001 excuses for Armstrong´s defeat.

nothing to worry about, since ullrich won't win.

we will see on saturday.

Originally posted by shrimpx
nothing to worry about, since ullrich won't win.

I agree. However, Ulrich does have a better position on the bike. :D

yes, absolutely right !
;)

well, it IS an AMERICAN station. pirate, are the german media gushing about lance as well, or might they be playing up jan's chances? anyone in basque country tell me how much e-e butt they're kissing? bob and kristen (yes, i'm aware that's not her name) are homers, as well they should be. frankly, in a sport with so small a following in this country, some homerism might be exactly what's needed to boost interest.

I think OLN just can't "risk" those "foreigners" interviews. They don't talk clearly or have name recognition. So they figure it's bad TV.....


I'd love to have some pieces on the "average" guys, or a piece on the "Lanterne Rouge" .........

Remember this is bike show for people not cyclists... And it shows........

Well, on german TV, reporters and sports analysists try to be objective, and in almost all cases, the TV coverage is fair. Although they route a little for Ullrich, saying he still has very good chances to win the Tour and that he´s the better TT-rider... but that´s understandable.
They definately do not bash Armstrong.

one thing to remember, cycling is a much less popular sport than it is in a lot of other countries. by playing up the american that has a chance to tie the record for tour wins it will hopefully get more people in this country interested.
next, OLN is sort of a small time station, and there commentators may not be as professional in the traditional sense. Bob Roll in no way can be considered like most commentators. I like him a lot, but i think theres no doubt he was brought in because he's kind of a nut. the fact is he says what he thinks, and he thinks LA is about the greatest cyclist to ever turn a pedal, and he says so.
atleast he has the guts to state his opinion strongly, without hedging. it may bite him in the ass in the end, but you know exactly how he feels.

i don't know that oln has been BASHING big jan. if anything, i think they've been praising him for coming back so strong, so fast. yeah, they're still acting like lance will win, but i haven't heard anything approaching a bash of ullrich. i know i personally have become a fan of jan during this tour. he has earned my respect, and i think that of bob and kristen too, no matter how vigorous they are in their support of lance.

This is just silly.

OLN packaged it's entire tour around Lance Armstrong's "Drive for Five Live" and he's the guy featured in the primary sponsor's ads. As others have noted, OLN is marketing itself to a US audience not just cyclists and while we -- the cyclists -- may recognize all the players Lance Armstrong is the guy who they've seen on the Subaru commercials and the cover of Sports Illustrated as SI's Sportsman of the Year.

It's commentators include Rob Roll and Chris Carmichael who, if you don't know, are Lance's closest friends and the two people responsible for putting Lance back on a racing bike after his cancer treatment. For your reading pleasure: http://www.nytimes.com/library/sports/other/080199bike-armstrong.html

So, why does it come as a surprise that the producers have created a script and storyline for the "pre-race show" that all ties things into Lance's hoped for success? Personally, while they are playing up Lance, I haven't seen nor heard Bob, Phil, or Paul be critical of Jan. You'll recall that Bobkie predicted Jan would beat Lance in the first individual time trial... throughout the event they have reminded viewers that Jan is Lance's prime adversary and as Lance has said, he's the guy he has to beat. In literature, that means Jan is the co-star since every protagonist needs an antagonist.

Bottom Line: If there wasn't a story line to the "show" then non-cyclists wouldn't remain interested. If you want 100% objective televised reporting... well, I have no idea where you can go anymore because all TV reporting and news reports are built around telling stories that support agendas (most of them thinly hidden) and not about bringing people facts because facts require viewers to think for themselves. Spend more time reading ProCycling News, VeloNews and print media if you want objective facts and color stories labeled as such.

Just my .02. Enjoy the "Show" for what it is.... entertainment that rallies the Lance supporters and rials-up anyone who isn't. Either way, they get viewer's juices flowing and that usually makes viewer's tune back in so they can continue to cheer or jeer.

I don't know, Jan seems to be getting a good amount
of air time on OLN, and none of it is negative.
Sure Roll and Gum aren't too high on the Jan Ulrich supporters
list but they have not ignored him either.
I seem to recall alot of Kudo's to Jan for his return, his
weight loss, his recovery from his stomach ailments.
I could go on.
I think that the Jan fans would find alot to complain about
if they are (were) watching OLN.
I think Lance fans would find alot to complain about if
they were watching German Broadcast (what channel? ORT?).
I'm sure that Italian (bettini/Gibo) fans will complain alot
no matter what they are watching :D

just my .02 worth

Marty

Mark-Good reply, but I think I am being misconstrued. I stated that I was very happy with the OLN package, in fact I am greatful that they have undertaken what must be a very difficult undertaking.

I stated that I was very impressed with the commentaries of Phil, Paul and Frankie. I have not noticed any bias from them at all. I have not noticed that they are skewing their comments to conform to some story line, although of course, they understand that the "drive for five" thing does play in the background.

I do not object even to the addition of Kirsten Gum in the mix. She has a contribution to make as well. What I find irksome is when she goes into the "Ooh he's going to win" mantra, and gets the same reaction back from Roll. I do understand the Roll/Armstong relationship.

My central point remains that to the extent that Roll exhaults the power of his old team over the competition teams, to that same extent you must credit Ullrich for staying 67 seconds away from the yellow jersey without the same level of team support.

PGreene-I do understand that OLN is an AMERICAN station as well, but unlike the World Series that is curiously only played in the U.S.A., this event is the Tour de France, and is 100 years old-to which the American presence was not significant until Davis Phinney's stage wins afew short years ago. It is a real world event not a braggard event that pretends to be one.

This does not diminish the fact that Tyler Hamilton, Lemond, Phinney, Hampsen are simply superb, and that the American presence and especially the incredible Lance Armstrong have added to the event immeasurably.

World Series that is curiously only played in the U.S.A

Sorry for the stupid comment! I forgot about Canada.

Originally posted by Barnaby
But personally, I think that Roll and Gum go over the top on the Lance thing. As an example, Roll was ridiculing the Bianchi team and saying that Ullrich would not last on the stage where he had to go to the back of the peleton to get his own water. He continually points out the overall superiority of the Postal team_BUT_ he fails to credit Ullrich with keeping up with Lance with such an obvious handicap. If Bianchi is so inferior to Postal, and if team strategy and support is so important for the eventual winner, then how come Ullrich is not given credit for staying in contention even without these advantages?

Barnaby, help me out here, has anyone mentioned on the coverage that Postal and Bianchi are positioned next to each other in the teams competition? Since you've been watching so closely, surely you've noticed whether any mention has been made of this. I mean, if the teams are that close to each other in the Teams competition, isn't Ullrich in fact getting close to the same level of support, even if the TV coverage is not getting it?

With regards to Livingood's comments that "This is silly.", presumably meaning some of the comments in this thread about OLN's coverage. I do not agree. When I come to this forum, I read posts about the TDF by countless inividuals, some who love cycling only up and down bike paths, who know little about the sporting end of the activity. They often make comments that are inaccurrate or purely emotive, based on their perceptions. This is all part of the learning curve that some apparently forget they went through at one time to. Personally, I don't consider a lack of knowledge as silly. I consider the refusal to learn as silly.

Regarding OLN's responsibilities or role, if OLN understands the potential for this broadcasting opportunity, they will also understand the need to BUILD a market, not just sell to the market that already exists. The building process involves developing a knowledge and understanding of the sport and the participants that will extend BEYOND Lance's participation in the sport. Look at the number of Americans on this forum who never heard of Ullrich 2 years ago who are now cheering for him and hoping he wins. That is the kind of breadth of viewer knowledge OLN needs to work towards.

In the UK, to take just one country as an example, their interest in the international sport of cycling has run through a string of characters spread out over 5 decades, Tom Simpson, Barry Hoban, Phil Bayton, Robert Millar, Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche(I know they're not Brits), David Millar, etc.... While following these athletes they learned and developed relationships with other non-British athletes, strengthening their bond with the sport.

In America, most know only of LeMond and Armstrong. This takes time gents, takes time.

Originally posted by Barnaby
Mark-Good reply, but I think I am being misconstrued.


My apologies, by I was actually responding the the totallity of the thread comments and probably embellilshed a bit more than I would have had I just replied with your original post in mind.


Originally posted by don d.
With regards to Livingood's comments that "This is silly.", presumably meaning some of the comments in this thread about OLN's coverage. I do not agree.

No, it's silly because:
a. You haven't watched the coverage that is being discussed but have commented.
b. The folks who are most displeased by the OLN broadcast that plays to it's US audience are from Australia and Germany and, therefore, aren't the OLN targeted market.
c. The folks who are defending OLN's coverage are from the US and are therefore part of the OLN targeted market.

Not a lot of learning going on here.... this is just good old fashion my dog's bigger than your dog, i.e., this is just silly.

just propaganda.

Kind of like watching Formula Schumacher



:lol:

Originally posted by livngood
My apologies, by I was actually responding the the totallity of the thread comments and probably embellilshed a bit more than I would have had I just replied with your original post in mind.



No, it's silly because:
a. You haven't watched the coverage that is being discussed but have commented... this is just silly.

My comments about OLN's coverage were objective comments that pertain to marketing principles in general. I did not comment on OLN's coverage. Do I need to watch OLN to understand marketing? Please.

I asked for more info about the issue Barnaby raised. Have you offered that info to inform, add something other than criticism to this?

What I think is silly is that you are calling others silly because they are less informed. If this is a forum, let's in-form, not name call. Name calling is the my dog is bigger than your dog debate. Is your dog really bigger, Mark?

I understand that like you said, you embellished a little in your original post. I know it's unlikely, but maybe you embellished again. Just to make sure I'm wrong, (see me scratching my head in consternation like Peter Falk in Colombo), could you please take a moment to point out where I made any specific comment about OLN's current coverage. Thanks, Mark. Appreciate it. Going to feed the Caniche now.

Originally posted by don d.
My comments about OLN's coverage were objective comments that pertain to marketing principles in general. I did not comment on OLN's coverage. Do I need to watch OLN to understand marketing? Please.

This may be a minor detail to you, but your marketing comments didn't get posted until after my "this is just silly" post so it would follow that my explanation of why I thought this was silly would apply to the posts that preceded it.


Originally posted by don d.
I asked for more info about the issue Barnaby raised. Have you offered that info to inform, add something other than criticism to this?

Well, gee, I think I did. Of course, you'd have to read my posting in detail which tried to actually run through a discourse for our non-US friends and those on both sides of both ponds who may not be as familiar with Bob Roll's background, his relationship to Lance (by the way, Bob Roll was never a member of the USPS team) or how the entire OLN programming was packaged for the tour, e.g., the Pre-Race show IS a Lance Armstrong, Go-USA pep-rally.


Originally posted by don d.
If this is a forum, let's in-form, not name call. Name calling is the my dog is bigger than your dog debate. Is your dog really bigger, Mark?

Making a general remark that the direction a thread has gone is "silly" is not name calling; it's an observation and one that I quantified when you decided to take my twist of a phrase personally. It I'd intended to direct my comments at someone I would have quoted the material I was commenting on. Back to in-form, the folks engaged in the thread, IMHO, were not looking for facts as they were entrenched in opinions founded in nationalism so to pursue a debate about a television program -- again noting that more than 1/2 of the contributors had not seen the commentary that Barnaby was talking about -- is pointless and will never be resolved UNTIL Sunday afternoon when Jan and Lance finish the tour in Paris. The race is not over until it's over.


Originally posted by don d.
could you please take a moment to point out where I made any specific comment about OLN's current coverage.

Sure, you wrote in reply to Barnaby's comments about Bob Roll's biased commentary and turning off viewers: "I think you're right. I have not watched one minute of TV coverage of the TDF, but let me ask, Barnaby, has anyone mentioned that USPS is ranked #4 in the teams competition and Bianchi is ranked #5?"

The answer is, Yes. The broadcast team have discussed the team standings several times and opined that Jan would have been even a greater threat if Bianchi had a stronger team. Moreover, at least once someone -- I don't recall who -- threw out the observation about what a different race this would have been if Jan had accepted CSC's offer and had climbers riders like Tyler Hamilton and Carlos Sastre working for him -- noting that CSC IS leading USPS in the overall team classification by over 47 minutes and Bianchi by over 68 minutes.

Originally posted by livngood
The answer is, Yes. The broadcast team have discussed the team standings several times and opined that Jan would have been even a greater threat if Bianchi had a stronger team. Moreover, at least once someone -- I don't recall who -- threw out the observation about what a different race this would have been if Jan had accepted CSC's offer and had climbers riders like Tyler Hamilton and Carlos Sastre working for him -- noting that CSC IS leading USPS in the overall team classification by over 47 minutes and Bianchi by over 68 minutes.

Thanks Mark, that's the positive contribution I've been looking for. I think this thread is finally back on track. Welcome aboard! By the way, I knew when my marketing comments were posted. Also, saying I think something and following that up with a question qbout what I "think", is generally considered a concession that one needs more info. Once again, thanks for the info. That's what I was looking for.

Barnaby, help me out here, has anyone mentioned on the coverage that Postal and Bianchi are positioned next to each other in the teams competition? Since you've been watching so closely, surely you've noticed whether any mention has been made of this. I mean, if the teams are that close to each other in the Teams competition, isn't Ullrich in fact getting close to the same level of support, even if the TV coverage is not getting it?

Yes! you are correct in this. The level of support is closer than what Gum and Roll are suggesting, and therefore Ullrich is getting almost the same assistance as Armstrong. Didn't mean to start a negative thread. This is the best athletic event in the world baring the summer Olympics,and maybe the World Cup, and Armstrong may be the most remarkable athlete of the last five years.

The counterpoint of the expressionless German from the East German system, with the crushing high-gear power cycling, versus the reformed Lance with the super-spin is great theatre. I am going to have severe withdrawl symptons starting Sunday. Thanks OLN!

Originally posted by Barnaby
I am going to have severe withdrawl symptons starting Sunday. When you have "severe withdrawl" symptoms, does this mean you lose the accent or is it the other way around?

does this mean you lose the accent or is it the other way around?

What accent do you detect SteveE?

The Brits have been more supportive for Jan. The American commentators are naturally very pro American riders. It is the way we are. OLN is very US Postal supportive as a whole. They dont have a Team Bianchi update. USPS has obviously spent alot of money with OLN. There are tons of USPS commercials, as well as Subaru. Im sure OLN is pushing LA and the team a bit to thank for the support. Im glad the tour is coming down to a fair fight between Jan and LA. Id hate to see it decided by a crash or injury. This is the best way. The best man will win. It wont matter who Bob and Kirsten think that is.

We all speak with drawl here in Texas!:D

Barnaby,

Well, most drawls that I'm aware of are Southern!

SteveE

Originally posted by ~LongRider~
The Brits have been more supportive for Jan...

...The best man will win. It wont matter who Bob and Kirsten think that is.

A brilliant 'in a nutshell' post.

Well, most drawls that I'm aware of are Southern

I set myself up for that one. I can't believe how bad my spelling is-2 in one sentance. Better get off the bike and into the dictionary.

I like Bob Roll. He's a very unique, funny guy with plenty of cycling knowledge. I'm afraid one of the major networks will offer him more money and steal him away from OLN. Gum is obviously there partially for her good looks, but I think she does a good job keeping the banter focused and interesting. OLN is doing an outstanding job covering the Tour. I don't know how they get the great close-up shots of the riders, but it sure does make it interesting. This year's spectacular Tour will surely encourage many people to buy a bike and hit the road.

Not that anyone cares, but here are some thoughts...


Originally posted by trmcgeehan
I like Bob Roll. He's a very unique, funny guy with plenty of cycling knowledge. I'm afraid one of the major networks will offer him more money and steal him away from OLN.

For those who love Bobkie, it sounds good but isn't likely; who else besides OLN is covering US cycling? On the bright side, he has been given the co-host/expert slot on OLN's weekly cycling show. Bob Roll's appeal isn't universal. Me, I enjoy his warped, overly candid views and appreciate what he's accomplished as a cyclist and done to promote to US cycling BUT it drives me nuts when he does the "spider on a mirror" thing with his hands in between his other ubiquitous hand gestures. To others, Phil & Paul are the "model" for what cycling commentators should look and sound like and Bob will always be a "freak" (Frankie Andreau's word, not mine). However, I think it's important to note that Phil & Paul have been more glib, candid and generally more entertaining themselves during this year's tour coverage than in any previous. I believe that is a direct result of working along side of Bob Roll for the past three years (an ever available butt of many jokes by Paul & Phil) and -- whether you like her or not -- to a great extent the chemistry provided by adding Kirsten Gum as the moderator.


Originally posted by trmcgeehan
Gum is obviously there partially for her good looks, but I think she does a good job keeping the banter focused and interesting.

Again, whether you like her or if she drives you nuts, Kirsten Gum has stepped into the role that Bill Patrick and Bob Varsha have filled in the past several years of OLN's Tour coverage and the producers made the right call. Varsha was OK, Patrick was awful, but neither of them could flirt or get away with being just a ditzy broadcaster helping viewers who are just as in the dark about professional bicycle racing as she is get something out of the broadcast. For those who haven't checked, she's a former Charlotte, North Carolina news reporter. Charlotte considers itself "ground zero" for NASCAR here in the Southeastern United States for anyone not familiar with US Geography. She moved over to the cable networks some time back and was hugely successful as a roving reporter in the NASCAR circuit (Red-blooded, good-old-boys liked her a lot) for ESPN and hosted a variety of different shows, e.g., ESPY preview show, OLN's dog enthusiast's show, OLN's horse enthusiasts show, etc... Some correctly suspect she may be feed lines from the producer via the ear piece, but I would note that her "novice" observations seem genuine. For example, Jan going back to get his own water. At the time, Bob, Paul & Phil couldn't explain why a rider like Jan would fall back to his team car late on a major climb to "get water" which to a great extent prompted Bobkie's comments about the strength of the Bianchi Team (hey, it was better than saying I don't know why he's dropped back). If you hadn't read about it, the answer to the question turns out to be that Jan had to take a #2 and needed to consult with his team manager on how to accomplish that act on a bike. I have not been able to find out how he "solved" that problem but I'm reminded that Joseba Beloki's mechanic had to give him a pedacure early in the Tour so one can only imagine....


Originally posted by trmcgeehan
OLN is doing an outstanding job covering the Tour. I don't know how they get the great close-up shots of the riders, but it sure does make it interesting.

They buy the feed from the only source of live video -- French TV. 1/2 of the close-up shots you see are from the helicopter and the other 1/2 come from the moto units who are just a few feet from the riders. Imagine if you will, piloting a motorcycle with a 180lb cameraman juggling a 30lb camera around jumping around on the back of your moto and it's your job to keep him mere feet from the riders in the peloton, all the while trying not to hit the other still-photo moto units, Tour & Team cars or spectators along the route. It is simply amazing. You may recall that early in the Tour a Credit Argicole rider leading a break-away with several other riders had a cameraman so close that a cable from the camera hooked his brake lever/handlebar and caused him to crash.


Originally posted by trmcgeehan
This year's spectacular Tour will surely encourage many people to buy a bike and hit the road.

We can only hope, or perhaps if they don't get on a bike appreciate why many of us do ride a bike on the road and give us a wave instead of the finger when they pass.

Is OLN that "Outdoors Sports" something channel? Last night Dutch television reporters in the tour talked with this blonde woman (Kristin?) and a former US cycling pro who competed in the tour in the mid 80's and is now a reporter in the Tour. Seemed to be quite nice people who know their stuff. Apart from indeed (usual) American chauvinism, but who can blame them? One minor comment: they should try to pronounce the names of the foreign competitors better :)

BTW, one of Armstrongs best friends among foreign reporters is Dutchman Mart Smeets. This goes back to Lance's Motorola days when former Dutch cycling star Hennie Kuipers was one of his team managers and he dated Dutch woman cyclist and model Danielle Overgaag. Smeets and Kuipers were still very involved in Lance's recovery from cancer and this evolved in a friendship.

Originally posted by trmcgeehan
Gum is obviously there partially for her good looks, but I think she does a good job keeping the banter focused and interesting.

She drove me CRAZY during the Giro but it wasn't her fault. All I wanted to do was watch that day's Stage, but I had to sit through 5-10 minutes of Mt. Everest coverage!

Now the TdF is over.
*sigh*
Only two months 'till the Veulta....??

yeah i think that gum and roll are a bit partial to lance but the fact that lance is the center of attention isnt just cuz he's an american and they want to play it up for the american public. it could be that he is number one int he tour and is expected to win. lets face it the news isnt about the race for 101st place, its for number one. and since lance is number one of course most of the conversation is going to revolve around hima nd what his chances are. sorry if this was already stated. i wouldnt know since i skipped page two.

I haven't seen any of the American Tour coverage but I see no problem in trying to build the audience, with informative asides and a professional newbie commentator (even if she is easy on the eye). It also makes sense for the British commentators to take the oppositional stance and champion the cause of the non-american challenger; someone has to, if the show isn't to degenerate into cheerleading.

Phil and Paul also do commentary for mainstream British TV. Again the coverage is erudite, without assuming a great deal of prior tactical or historical knowledge from it's audience. The slant has been pretty pro-Lance, although recognising the defensive style he has had to adopt, relative to previous tours, and praising the extent of Ullrich's comeback. They have remained unconvinced by the depth of the challenges posed to the incumbent champion, without playing up any nationalist angle, or the "english-speaking" versus "continentals" thing which was popular in the eighties and early nineties.

The coverage features lots of gorgeous landscape and chateau shots, to attract the casual viewer and human interest drama, like Tyler Hamilton's epic efforts, have been given lots of space. Stephen Roche has been offering potted summaries and occasional retro-grouches, from his unique Franco-Irish perspective (which riled a lot of posters the other week)!

I hope the coverage you've had has been sufficiently attractive to non-riders, otherwise you'll really be struggling for pictures when the present generation retires- unless there's another Lance or Greg on the way up! Both these guys had a story which exceeded the sport, which I think is needed to get the attention of a public who often seem more interested in football training camps and college drafts, than overseas or "new" sports.

Lance wasnt the only Postal rider to get some air time. They chatted with George several times. He deserved some air time. He rode his ass off this year to get that 5th yellow jersey for Lance.

@ lotek:

in Germany, the Tour is broadcasted by the two channels under public law. I´m not sure if there is an american equivalent.
ARD and ZDF (which is short for the First and Second German TV Channel) are broadcasting daily without commercial breaks from the Tour (but only when it´s TDF-time), just the "News" and then back to France.
The other broadcasting channel is EUROSPORT, a private european sports channel. Eurosport is the only channel which provides broadcasting for the whole pro cycling season (but a lot of commercial breaks....:mad: and some lousy commentators.

OLN coverage is trying to mimic the american hype machine. this broadcast is all about how to make cycling interesting to americans while trying to remain true to its core audience.

I don't know why it's suprising that the US broadcast of a non-popular sport (in the US) is concentrating so heavily on the US rider on the US team who just made a big mark in tour history ;) Next year will be even worse...

Even Paul and Phil were very pro-Lance in their speaking of the event, although they were a bit more hesitant, but were still rooting for him. Granted we know that Paul and Lance are old friends, not sure about Phil.

I thought the coverage was excellent again this year, the pre-race shows were good for helping the newbies out with talking about strategy and give a little bit of insight into why certain things were happening. Bobke is certainly an aquired taste, but he's also very knowledgable about what is going on in the race and can bring a little humor to it all. Gum, well I don't think we are giving her enough credit, she seemed like she knows what's going on, but she has to play it down and ask all the "newbie" type questions.

Hmmm, I wonder what kind of ratings the tour got, I have to go look that up.

Andrew

Hmmm, actually the ratings aren't as bad as I thought, from a press release;

OLN Scores Yet Higher Ratings on Sunday
More than Million Watch Primetime Coverage of Alpe d'Huez

STAMFORD, Conn. (July 15, 2003) - Outdoor Life Network (OLN) announced today that on average one million forty thousand viewers tuned into OLN's five daily broadcasts of the Tour de France during the first nine days of coverage, an increase of 173 percent over the first nine days of last year's coverage.

According to the Nielsen NHI ratings, OLN's Tour de France coverage reached an all-time high, 1.2 HH rating, during the network's prime time coverage on Sunday July 13. OLN's prime-time coverage of the Tour de France was the fifth highest rated program on ad-supported cable television in prime time among men aged 25-54.

OLN's live coverage was seen in an average of 213,000 homes, an increase of 142 percent over the first nine days of last year's coverage. OLN's prime time coverage was seen in an average of 275,000 homes, an increase of 224 percent over the first nine days of last year's coverage.

"We are extremely excited about the ratings for the 2003 Tour de France," said E. Roger Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Outdoor Life Network. "With more than a million viewers watching OLN's five daily telecasts of the 2003 Tour de France, we are on track for this to be OLN's highest rated month in primetime in the history of the network."

The leader in adventure TV, Outdoor Life Network (www.OLNTV.com) offers more outdoor recreation programming than any other network. The 24-hour cable network, now available in over 52 million homes, is the leading source for television coverage of outdoor adventure sports and outdoor leisure recreation.

and

OLN's Tour de France Viewership Skyrockets
Connecticut-based Network Scores a 1.3 Rating, Up 144 Percent


STAMFORD, Conn. (July 11, 2003) - Outdoor Life Network announced this week that the Nielsen ratings hit a gross household audience of 1.3 for the first four days of coverage of the 2003 Tour de France. OLN's live coverage was seen in an average 199,000 homes, an increase of 103 percent over the first dour days of last year's average. OLN's primetime coverage was seen in an average of 218,000 homes, an increase of 163 percent over the first four days of last year's coverage.

Nielsen ratings are counts not of actually people, but of households. When factoring in that several people can be watching the show, the number of people watching the show is considerably greater than the number of households.

"We are extremely excited about the rating for the 2003 Tour de France," said E. Roger Williams, president and chief executive officer of OLN. "With almost a million viewers watching OLN's five daily telecasts of the 2003 Tour de France, we are on track for this to be OLN's highest rated month in primetime in the history of the network."

Certainly not going to make it's way to prime time network TV, but still pretty respectable, and very good growth numbers.

Andrew

There is an article on a german cycling site, saying OLN had an average of about 2.5 Billion peole watching the TDF this year.
That´s almost nobody compared to the size of the US (~ 250 Billion inhabitans).
In Germany almost every stage (especially the mountain stages) had about 20 Billion people watching... (~ 80 Billion inhabitants).

You have to keep in mind that the United States has 1000's of TV stations. No matter where you live, you have access to at least 100. You can find shows about anything that interests you. Im glad to see that the ratings have increased. At least the interest in the sport is growing.

Well I think you mean Millions and not Billions... ;)

But the rub with 250 Million in the US doesn't mean much. Nielson estimates there are 105 million TV houseolds in the US. Even the most popular TV show during the one week only gathers 10 million households (Baseball All-Star game), the 2nd most popular is Law and Order with 9 Million households. So for the tour to gather 300,000 households a day is pretty good considering the popularity (the lack of it) in the US.

Andrew

yes, I always get confused with big numbers...:)
Those little things are often not that easy.

Originally posted by Piratello
There is an article on a german cycling site, saying OLN had an average of about 2.5 Billion peole watching the TDF this year.
That´s almost nobody compared to the size of the US (~ 250 Billion inhabitans).
In Germany almost every stage (especially the mountain stages) had about 20 Billion people watching... (~ 80 Billion inhabitants).

So you're saying that cycling is more popular in Germany? What a surprise!

No, we originally talked about OLN and its viewers of the TDF.