PRIME broadcast: now that’s a winner!

Conover

Conover

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Whomever it was that constructed the teams and concepts for the PRIME NASCAR presentation deserves major kudos. From the great video quality, to the announcers, the extended post race, I thought it was the best broadcast race presentation in a very long time. What’s everyone’s take?

The primary announcing team of Alexander, Junior and Steve worked very well together. Adam has a great way of leading the “play by play” without dominating, adds moments of genuine excitement without using forced gimmicks, and gives space to let others cook. Earnhardt was right back in his saddle, bringing us his “fan’s commentary” that sounds just like everyday folks watching and reacting to events on the track. Letarte can often get too whiny and shrill, but he seemed more relaxed and natural in this group. The pit announcers good, with solid reporting. I thought the prerace group of Danielle Trotta, Carl Edwards and Corey Lajoie were refreshing, although the crowd behind them were a bit rowdy loud (reminded me of the college football pregame setup. Edwards debut was very good. He was well spoken, genuinely excited. Corey has grown on us via his fine podcasts, and his enthusiasm revs up these presentations. Danielle is a consummate pro, and was an excellent choice for managing these segments.

My wife (also big race fan) stayed up to watch the extended post race show, and loved every minute of it. Said it was like being let into a party with these announcers and the drivers they interviewed. Great segment with Ross and his owner, with everyone enjoying Busch beer!

Also…the “no ties, no blazers” look is much better for racing.

A welcome high standard being set by PRIME.
 
80s and 90s means nothing as a comparison. We gotta compare to the available options today, and between fewer commercials and actually knowledgeble commentators, NASCAR needed this
 
I should also mention one other big plus: the last (I think) 50 laps of the racing broadcast commercial free courtesy of PRIME. If there had been a caution, not sure if they would have gone split screen during portions of the yellow, but that would have been fine.
 
Jimbo Slice said:
They actually had a post-race show. What a concept!
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Well, that was cut from the replay I just watched. No melon smash for me. :mad:

But that's my only issue. The broadcast combined the best features of Fox (commentary) and NBC (production) and then exceeded both. I enjoyed Jr's 'stream of consciousness' style, it sounded like what a driver would be thinking. If NASCAR moved the entire season to Prime, I'd gleefully sign up.
 
I mean, that's certainly true, but I feel like the people who might have just casually checked it out might be tempted to come back even if not die hards.
 
Once the cheapskates figure out they can watch the races for free, with a trial subscription, the ratings will go up.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Well, that was cut from the replay I just watched. No melon smash for me. :mad:

But that's my only issue. The broadcast combined the best features of Fox (commentary) and NBC (production) and then exceeded both. I enjoyed Jr's 'stream of consciousness' style, it sounded like what a driver would be thinking. If NASCAR moved the entire season to Prime, I'd gleefully sign up.
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If you watch the race replay it won't have the post race because that is a separate video you would have to watch, but it is there.
 
I thought Prime had 2 times more subscribers than cable?
Indy had it's largest audience in years and this is the lowest 600 in years. Even the rain out in 23 pulled almost 3.4 million the next day.
Sorry, no way to sugar coat losing at least a half a million viewers first shot out of the box with ample advertising and even free for viewing. On to next week, maybe it will get better.
 
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StandOnIt said:
I thought Prime had 2 times more subscribers than cable?
Indy had it's largest audience in years and this is the lowest 600 in years. Even the rain out in 23 pulled almost 3.4 million the next day.
Sorry, no way to sugar coat losing at least a half a million viewers first shot out of the box with ample advertising and even free for viewing. On to next week, maybe it will get better.
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You’re such a shill for FOX that I expect this to go in one ear and out the other…





This race delivered far more viewers than it would have on FS1 or ESPN.

There are races on broadcast not even pulling in 2.72 million viewers.

This is the trend too.

Broadcast is king. Streaming has dramatically surpassed cable though and sports leagues realize it.

It’s why everyone but NASCAR wants their events on broadcast or streaming and are bailing on cable.

NASCAR literally gave FOX and NBC room for other sports by agreeing to put the majority of their races exclusively on cable. And other sports, such as INDYCAR, are reaping the benefits from this breathtakingly stupid decision.
 
HoneyBadger said:
Broadcast is king
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Broadcast sucks like Denny Hamlin's fuel pump.

Too many conflicts with affiliates jerking the schedule around to accommodate local teams. Too many local news shows overriding when the race runs long. In the CW's case, there isn't even an sister cable network or stream to move to when it rains.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Broadcast sucks like Denny Hamlin's fuel pump.

Too many conflicts with affiliates jerking the schedule around to accommodate local teams. Too many local news shows overriding when the race runs long. In the CW's case, there isn't even an sister cable network or stream to move to when it rains.
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Broadcast is fine. The CW is NOT.

That broken promise about streaming ... granted, I've heard that NASCAR pulled the plug on that because of Xfinity.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Broadcast sucks like Denny Hamlin's fuel pump.

Too many conflicts with affiliates jerking the schedule around to accommodate local teams. Too many local news shows overriding when the race runs long. In the CW's case, there isn't even an sister cable network or stream to move to when it rains.
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Denny's fuel pump did NOT suck, and thanks to Prime coverage we all know why
 
StandOnIt said:
I thought Prime had 2 times more subscribers than cable?
Indy had it's largest audience in years and this is the lowest 600 in years. Even the rain out in 23 pulled almost 3.4 million the next day.
Sorry, no way to sugar coat losing at least a half a million viewers first shot out of the box with ample advertising and even free for viewing. On to next week, maybe it will get better.
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It had a bigger total audience than all but two events on FS1 so far this year, so it was much better than the average cable race. As the year goes on, these five races will probably prove to have bigger audiences than the races on TNT and USA as well.

Having the best performance in at least three years in the 18-34, 18-49, and 25-54 demographics relative to all cable races is a huge deal as well. It’s already turning into a win in building a younger fan base. And it probably won’t be that long before it does get into the territory of what NASCAR usually gets on broadcast TV.
 
FLRacingFan said:
It had a bigger total audience than all but two events on FS1 so far this year, so it was much better than the average cable race. As the year goes on, these five races will probably prove to have bigger audiences than the races on TNT and USA as well.

Having the best performance in at least three years in the 18-34, 18-49, and 25-54 demographics relative to all cable races is a huge deal as well. It’s already turning into a win in building a younger fan base. And it probably won’t be that long before it does get into the territory of what NASCAR usually gets on broadcast TV.
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To keep from repeating yourself once again, I listed three statements that I had concerns about. I do not care about the age groups and how well the billionaires are doing. My concern when it was first announced of yet another race carrier was not only the hassle and potential expenses involved, but a concern that there could be a lessening of viewership for Cup races.
So far with twice as many subscribers, one of the crown jewels of Nascar, the 600, had the lowest viewership in years...period.
Again, I don't care about how wonderful others think it is that this group or the other is better than the other. I haven't absolutely a care how much money is made from commercials like some have a misshapen like for. My concern was what happened. Less fans watched the racing. Will it get better? Lets hope so.
Now, you guys can get back to picture qualities, graphics and what the gerbils were wearing.
 
800,000 viewers in the 18-49 trumps all of SOI's concerns. This is almost as good as F1.

The trend with Prime Sports holds: Overall viewers down vs. broadcast but up vs. cable, more younger viewers. No matter what concerns older fans have, if NASCAR had resigned themselves to the fate of only having older fans and staying on the cable TV deathbed, the sport would die a quick death.

It's also worth nothing in this discussion that the Indianapolis 500 had more viewers than the Daytona 500 for the first time in generations. SOI's shilling for FOX is funny when they're suffocating NASCAR to prop up IndyCar. That damn TV contract with FOX needs to be ripped up.
 
HoneyBadger said:
800,000 viewers in the 18-49 trumps all of SOI's concerns. This is almost as good as F1.

The trend with Prime Sports holds: Overall viewers down vs. broadcast but up vs. cable, more younger viewers. No matter what concerns older fans have, if NASCAR had resigned themselves to the fate of only having older fans and staying on the cable TV deathbed, the sport would die a quick death.

It's also worth nothing in this discussion that the Indianapolis 500 had more viewers than the Daytona 500 for the first time in generations. SOI's shilling for FOX is funny when they're suffocating NASCAR to prop up IndyCar. That damn TV contract with FOX needs to be ripped up.
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I understand your concern for billionaires doing well. But once again I was concerned with the loss of viewership that yet another media provider would entail. So far that is what happened. Maybe next week it will be better.
 
StandOnIt said:
I understand your concern for billionaires doing well. But once again I was concerned with the loss of viewership that yet another media provider would entail. So far that is what happened. Maybe next week it will be better.
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The loss of total viewers is offset by the gains in young viewers.

Overall viewers will be up YoY for the rest of the Prime season.
 
StandOnIt said:
I understand your concern for billionaires doing well. But once again I was concerned with the loss of viewership that yet another media provider would entail. So far that is what happened. Maybe next week it will be better.
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The alternative for these races would’ve been cable channels. FOX and NBC each moved a bunch of races to FS1 and USA with this contract. TNT came on board. If there is anything to be ‘concerned’ about, it’s NASCAR going heavier on a medium that is long past its best days. Prime actually plenty of room for growth.
 
FLRacingFan said:
The alternative for these races would’ve been cable channels. FOX and NBC each moved a bunch of races to FS1 and USA with this contract. TNT came on board. If there is anything to be ‘concerned’ about, it’s NASCAR going heavier on a medium that is long past its best days. Prime actually plenty of room for growth.
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I understand your concern for billionaires doing well. But once again I was concerned with the loss of viewership that yet another media provider would entail. So far that is what happened. Maybe next week it will be better.
 
StandOnIt said:
I can do the math Herbie. Less viewers is less viewers. Your butt hurt is optional. The figures don't lie.
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All advertisers care about is the P18-49 demographic, because that's who most ads are aimed at, that got 800,000 viewers, which is more than any race since 2022. Where it got less viewers overall than last years 600, which yes I understand can be a bad thing, the viewers that people that any company cares about for ads, that was up. Which means Prime overtime will be able to sell that ad space for a higher price.
 
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