TV coverage thoughts

HoneyBadger

HoneyBadger

I love short track racing (Taylor's Version)
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Since a few posters think I'm the only person who thinks ESPN sucks (even though ESPN is ahead of David Gilliland and Sideways Sam in the bonehead thread:rolleyes:), share your thoughts here.

What networks do you like? Why?

What networks do you dislike? Why?

I just want to get a gauge of where race fans stand three years in to the new TV package.
 
Andy, we've beat this dead horse several times, so let this be the last. OK

I have the feeling that changes will be made when the contracts run out. I'm hoping it doesn't return to the days of each track setting their own TV package because that was totally confusing.
All networks have their problems.

My biggest complaint about ESPN is the nauseating camera hopping --- roof cam, bumper cam, driver cam, window cam. Just when you get a good wide shot of the racing the director switches to a single car cam and you lose all perspective.

FOX, the only thing I detest is Digger and the constant promotion of the rodent.

TNT, their problem? --- they don't have enough races.
 
If people think you are the only one that can't stand ESPN's coverage, they need to read the Daly Planet.

Other than the Digger crap, I really like Fox's coverage. A number of people don't like DW, but I like how he approaches most subjects and how he explains things. Mike Joy is the best in the business and Larry Mac can call better race strategy from the booth than half the current crew chiefs. The three of them make a great team.

TNT's coverage greatly improved when they added Kyle Petty. He and Wally mesh well together. Their directing is probably the best.

ESPN's coverage is just okay. Jerry Punch is a bore and a PxP guy. They sorely need to swap Punch with Bestwick. Marty Reid would be an improvement. Petree and Jarrett make a pretty good team, but they are third to Petty and Dallenbach and DW and Larry Mac. The directing is terrible at times. The pit reporters stink.
 
FOX -- Too much use of specialty cameras and too many commercials at the end of the race. But their pit reporters are awesome, and Mike Joy is a great announcer. I could live without DW or LarryMac, but their enthusiasm and excitement in the booth makes the races more entertaining.

TNT -- Not enough races. Their coverage improved greatly when they got rid of Weber and put Ralph in the booth. Awesome commentary all race, they keep me entertained and their "Wide Open Coverage" from Daytona was the best NASCAR broadcast in 8 years IMO.

Everyone knows what I think of ESPN. They've only had one decent broadcast this year, imo.
 
My problem with ESPN is that they take too much time away from the track, what with their commerical breaks, and recaps, and all that stuff. I just want to watch the race, not watch the Viagra commerical for the 100th time or to hear about what happened in the last 10 laps.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Since a few posters think I'm the only person who thinks ESPN sucks
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No, they don't think you are the only person who thinks that ESPN sucks. BUT, you are the only one who goes on and on incessantly. Enough is enough......we get the picture. And, I agree with TRL. Let this be the last thread on this subject. Thanks.
 
Bucky Badger said:
I'm just glad to have all the races on the tube.
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Amen to that! :beerbang:

If I was going to complain about anything it would be the start times. And the darn Saturday night races get in the way of my short track racing.
 
Smoke14 said:
Amen to that! :beerbang:

If I was going to complain about anything it would be the start times. And the darn Saturday night races get in the way of my short track racing.
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Hopefully the common start times on Sunday will make it easier. I kept getting lost.

Sorry about messing with your Saturday night short track racing.
 
Smoke14 said:
Amen to that! :beerbang:

If I was going to complain about anything it would be the start times. And the darn Saturday night races get in the way of my short track racing.
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I'm with ya on that one. I've also got a problem with them telling you to go lookup your local Nascar track, and then adding more Saturday night races. Urgh.:mad:
 
You want to see what a high-quality motorsports television broadcast looks like? Check out the IndyCar Series on Versus.

THAT is how races should be covered.
 
VaDirt said:
I'm with ya on that one. I've also got a problem with them telling you to go lookup your local Nascar track, and then adding more Saturday night races. Urgh.:mad:
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I agree to a point. But I'll say this much -- a good track will fill the stands with or without a Cup race on TV. Langley Speedway doesn't have problems drawing massive crowds. Virginia Motor Speedway doesn't have problems drawing decent crowds. Potomac Speedway draws great crowds even when it was up against the Coca Cola 600. Motor Mile? Hickory? Bowman-Gray? Thunder Road? Irwindale? They all draw great crowds.

If a local track isn't good enough to compete with a television program, then maybe they should rethink things. And there are some tracks that this applies to. :cough:OldDominion:cough:
 
TexasRaceLady said:
Except there is no Versus on DirecTV. *sigh*
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I just posted my thoughts on Versus' coverage in the Open Wheel thread. I've got my gripes about open wheel racing, but it's entertaining to watch on Versus because they don't treat the viewers like complete idiots and they actually show racing (when there is decent racing). They were able to keep me entertained through the Richmond race even though the race was boring as hell from start to finish.

Then again, we all ready know Bob Jenkins is one of the greatest announcers of all time.
 
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