Side by Side TV coverage and NASCAR?

A

ajk112802

Guest
I am a fan of all types of car racing and I know some others who post here are also. If you have watched IRL coverage you will have seen the "side-by-side" commercial breaks. Quick explanation for those who haven't--instead of completely cutting away for commercials, ABC/ESPN will shrink the race video feed to a smaller box on the left hand side (think "picture in picture" size) and show the comercial with audio in a larger box on the right hand side. You truly never miss racing action (I think ABC may cut away for local commercials). Now the easy question is why aren't FOX and NBC doing this with NASCAR but I'm sure it has to do with money. Does anyone have any information about this? Is it that much more to do side-by-side instead of regular commercial breaks? If you haven't seen it, flip to the IRL Pikes Peak race on ABC today during a NASCAR commercial break, perhaps you'll catch the side-by-side feature. Once you've watched a race that way, you'll be hooked, too.
 
^ lol i know what you mean when you say "hooked" i too have seen it and i too wonder why NBC/TNT doesn't do the same..perhaps they dont want to imitate their rival?
 
You must understand the reason for commercials. It is to get your attention to the product that is being advertised. We all know that we don't like commercials and wish that we could do without them, but if they didn't exist, we'd have to pay for what we watched. They pay a lot for those commercials and don't wish for them to be ignored. Having something going on that is more of an interest to the potential customer at the same time is taking money away from the spot. I'm sure they don't charge as much for that spot as well. NBC does what I like in that they totally cut away from a commercial when something goes wrong on the track...albeit a commercial that is national.
 
TNT tried it at the end of one year 2 or 3 years ago. Allen B. was all pumped up about it and hoped it would be the way they would show the races from then on, but it seems the sposors didn't like it so it never took off. However it also appears (to me) that no one at the networks are really trying to sell it, because , and for obveious reasons it appears it can be sold.
But to give credit where credit is due, TNT was the first to try it. Now that it's proven it can be sold to sponsors maybe they should get back to pushing it.
 
buckaroo said:
You must understand the reason for commercials. It is to get your attention to the product that is being advertised. We all know that we don't like commercials and wish that we could do without them, but if they didn't exist, we'd have to pay for what we watched. They pay a lot for those commercials and don't wish for them to be ignored. Having something going on that is more of an interest to the potential customer at the same time is taking money away from the spot. I'm sure they don't charge as much for that spot as well. NBC does what I like in that they totally cut away from a commercial when something goes wrong on the track...albeit a commercial that is national.
Click to expand...
Commercials use to be one minute long. They are about 3 to 4 minutes long now and they lose my attention. :AHHHH:
 
buckaroo said:
You must understand the reason for commercials. It is to get your attention to the product that is being advertised. We all know that we don't like commercials and wish that we could do without them, but if they didn't exist, we'd have to pay for what we watched.
Click to expand...

if you are watching TNT you are paying for what you watch. :D
 
Bucky Badger said:
if you are watching TNT you are paying for what you watch. :D
Click to expand...
You are right about that, but one thing for certain, it doesn't cost me 100 bucks to watch the races on TNT. BTW, for me to watch the Speed Channel, I'd have to pay more than what I'm paying now and I don't so the Speed Channel is not something that I am able to enjoy. I do have my limits. :)
 
It seemed there were more commercials during the IRL race but I still like the side by side commercials. What really gets me is that NBC sucks when they take over NASCAR they show 1 race a month and the rest in on TNT, which I don't have. Plus they had Tennis, Gymnastics and skateboarding today instead of a race. AAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!
 
Ok, I brought up this old thread to ask if anyone knows if now that ABC/ESPN will have NASCAR, will they be doing side-by-side?
 
buckaroo said:
You must understand the reason for commercials. It is to get your attention to the product that is being advertised. We all know that we don't like commercials and wish that we could do without them, but if they didn't exist, we'd have to pay for what we watched. They pay a lot for those commercials and don't wish for them to be ignored. Having something going on that is more of an interest to the potential customer at the same time is taking money away from the spot. I'm sure they don't charge as much for that spot as well. NBC does what I like in that they totally cut away from a commercial when something goes wrong on the track...albeit a commercial that is national.
Click to expand...

They get my attention just long enough to flip channels. I guess they're helping out the battery companies. But I do understand that they are there for a reason.
 
ajk112802 said:
Ok, I brought up this old thread to ask if anyone knows if now that ABC/ESPN will have NASCAR, will they be doing side-by-side?
Click to expand...
I bet they won't. The rights for NASCAR races is probably 10 times the amount for the rights for IRL. Since they have to get more money in return for the amount paid, they have more commercials and charge a lot more for commercials. For the amount being charged for a 30-second commercial, I don't think those companies will want a split screen. They'll want to most for their money.

I wish they would and could do it. But I don't think they will.
 
Patrick9999 said:
They get my attention just long enough to flip channels. I guess they're helping out the battery companies. But I do understand that they are there for a reason.
Click to expand...


I'm getting good enough that I don't actually see any of the commercial.
 
just read this on Jayski's

Splitscreen option? No says NASCAR: Fans hoping that NASCAR’s move to ABC/ESPN next year would improve their viewing experience may be in for a rude awakening. Although the networks employ a “Side-By-Side” split-screen feature for its Indy Racing League coverage that allows viewers to continue watching the action while commercials play, NASCAR has forbidden ABC/ESPN or any of its other TV partners from marketing that kind of advertising. “We’ve looked at a lot of options to enhance the fan/viewer experience but feel that a split-screen presentation of ads and racing serves neither the fan nor advertiser,” says Ramsey Poston, NASCAR’s managing director of corporate communications. “Our TV partners do an excellent job of immediately returning to significant track action when it happens during commercials. With replays and other technology, the networks make sure NASCAR fans get the best, most comprehensive race coverage anywhere.” But according to George McNeilly, senior director of communications for ESPN/ABC Sports, the networks would be interested in exploring the split-screen option. “We are engaging focus groups and other research in an effort to quantify the positive feedback we’ve received from people who’ve enjoyed the viewing experience,” McNeilly says. “[Allowing the split screen] would be a NASCAR decision. We’re in discussions about that and many other things.”(Long Island Press)(7-20-2006)

---------------------
ummm, how would side-by-side not serve the fans? :confused:
 
if its split screen it will probably have more commercials.. i personally would rather they leave it as it is, not go with split screen..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom