Pool is dying as is, why make it worse by turning it private?

S

smoochie

NotLikeThis
Some of you may think that I am cheap but I really ain't. I pay loads online for various things but I feel pretty bad about the state of pool and how the viewership keeps declining year after year.

There's no ads from big companies, no sponsors, which in return makes less money for the pro's. I know pro's who are very poor-- I don't blame the companies, why? Because there isn't enough people watching pool, hell even Nintendo games get more views than pool online, yes kids games getting more views. Its really in a bad state.

Which means we need more exposure and more interesting fun games. But what's the solution to accomplish this? Do you think the people who run pool will find a solution? Nop, they instead will make it more private by changing most streams/games into PPV. Yes I think the people who run PPV are contributing to killing pool, they may want money and are satisfied by the 40 ppl viewing their streams, but in the big picture, they are killing pool.

Mosconi cup is now private and probably watched by less than 200 or 300 people, are you stream PPV guys happy with this? Ok get your 12 bucks from 200 people but please know that you're killing pool by reducing exposure from the people who don't usually watch pool.

Even in the stream area here in azbilliards, I keep watching more and more ppl doing these PPVs & I firmly believe it is one of the killers of pool. And don't tell me about "Hey where is your support for this guy who brought equipment & cameras to stream pool for you" -- no I ain't supporting a guy who wants to make a few bucks from a few individuals and on the process, he's making pool private and killing exposure if you can't do it, then don't stream it. I don't want you to bring cameras and then make pool private, sorry.
 
Black-Balled said:
Who gonna pay fa dat?
Click to expand...
Good question but the way it works is that by making it more interesting & aim for exposure, then if they bring enough views then the eyes of the big companies will start to want to place some ads into the program...this will make every change to the world of pool & the money in it, this money from the big company ads will pay "fa dat" - plus some more, maybe add even more money into the pool prize of the pro's.
 
The start gona be rough for sure, until we find a ground & enough views from normal people who don't play pool.
 
The hey day was the 90's for sure...I think the US open purse was bigger back then than today isn't it? I think streaming is great though.
Although why is the mosconi cup US against Europe? Just make it a world cup already....the current format is ridiculous since the US doesn't even have the best players in the world..never did.
 
smoochie said:
Some of you may think that I am cheap but I really ain't. I pay loads online for various things but I feel pretty bad about the state of pool and how the viewership keeps declining year after year.

There's no ads from big companies, no sponsors, which in return makes less money for the pro's. I know pro's who are very poor-- I don't blame the companies, why? Because there isn't enough people watching pool, hell even Nintendo games get more views than pool online, yes kids games getting more views. Its really in a bad state.

Which means we need more exposure and more interesting fun games. But what's the solution to accomplish this? Do you think the people who run pool will find a solution? Nop, they instead will make it more private by changing most streams/games into PPV. Yes I think the people who run PPV are contributing to killing pool, they may want money and are satisfied by the 40 ppl viewing their streams, but in the big picture, they are killing pool.

Mosconi cup is now private and probably watched by less than 200 or 300 people, are you stream PPV guys happy with this? Ok get your 12 bucks from 200 people but please know that you're killing pool by reducing exposure from the people who don't usually watch pool.

Even in the stream area here in azbilliards, I keep watching more and more ppl doing these PPVs & I firmly believe it is one of the killers of pool. And don't tell me about "Hey where is your support for this guy who brought equipment & cameras to stream pool for you" -- no I ain't supporting a guy who wants to make a few bucks from a few individuals and on the process, he's making pool private and killing exposure if you can't do it, then don't stream it. I don't want you to bring cameras and then make pool private, sorry.
Click to expand...
Without streaming, we wouldn't be able to watch anything at all. That's a fact. Pool is not going to be broadcast on ESPN or Fox Sports (which you technically pay for) any time soon. I would rather pay for it than not have the option. I respect your decision to not pay for streaming. I respectfully disagree that PPV is killing pool. There are some indicators showing that pool is making a comeback. It is at the tipping point and can go either way.
 
Let's call this "The Backwards thread" What was there before streaming? Almost nothing for the Public, that's for sure. I believe the US Open was on ESPN one time-the year TK won.
 
First of all the worst thing pool did was alternating breaks. The second worse thing pool did was alternating breaks. The third worse thing pool did....

You get the idea. People love to see 10 packs. NHL did the same thing with trying to even out the league...people love dynasty's and underdogs...not an even field where anybody can win at any time. Pool is turning into tennis where all you have to do is hold your serve..boring.

With the breaks...if someone runs the set on you then you get one turn to do the same to force a tie break. The tie breaker should be a boxing match. You're welcome.
 
thenaturalpoolplayer said:
First of all the worst thing pool did was alternating breaks. The second worse thing pool did was alternating breaks. The third worse thing pool did....

You get the idea. People love to see 10 packs. NHL did the same thing with trying to even out the league...people love dynasty's and underdogs...not an even field where anybody can win at any time. Pool is turning into tennis where all you have to do is hold your serve..boring.

With the breaks...if someone runs the set on you then you get one turn to do the same to force a tie break. The tie breaker should be a boxing match. You're welcome.
Click to expand...
I agree with this 100% but thats another story for another thread as one other contributor to killing pool. But this thread here is about why do you want to make broadcasting pool to be private and only be watched by 100 to 150 people, that's ridiculous. I mean they doing it for 12 bucks per user, that's almost pathetic I'm sorry. Let the public watch mosconi cup for free, maybe someone will tell his friend to tell his friend to tell his friend that this is fun to watch, maybe?
 
smoochie said:
I agree with this 100% but thats another story for another thread as one other contributor to killing pool. But this thread here is about why do you want to make broadcasting pool to be private and only be watched by 100 to 150 people, that's ridiculous. I mean they doing it for 12 bucks per user, that's almost pathetic I'm sorry. Let the public watch mosconi cup for free, maybe someone will tell his friend to tell his friend to tell his friend that this is fun to watch, maybe?
Click to expand...
Oh I totally agree...nobody but the most dedicated pool fans already are going to watch the mosconi cup...nevermind pay for it. The 90's got huge because pool was opened up to the general public...it was on tv...they had big purses, and they had Earl! and Mikaela! and Efren! etc...it was the golden age. Remember there was so much money in pool at the time that professional snooker players Ronnie, Steve Davis, and Jimmy White came over lol.
 
smoochie said:
Some of you may think that I am cheap but I really ain't. I pay loads online for various things but I feel pretty bad about the state of pool and how the viewership keeps declining year after year.

There's no ads from big companies, no sponsors, which in return makes less money for the pro's. I know pro's who are very poor-- I don't blame the companies, why? Because there isn't enough people watching pool, hell even Nintendo games get more views than pool online, yes kids games getting more views. Its really in a bad state.

Which means we need more exposure and more interesting fun games. But what's the solution to accomplish this? Do you think the people who run pool will find a solution? Nop, they instead will make it more private by changing most streams/games into PPV. Yes I think the people who run PPV are contributing to killing pool, they may want money and are satisfied by the 40 ppl viewing their streams, but in the big picture, they are killing pool.

Mosconi cup is now private and probably watched by less than 200 or 300 people, are you stream PPV guys happy with this? Ok get your 12 bucks from 200 people but please know that you're killing pool by reducing exposure from the people who don't usually watch pool.

Even in the stream area here in azbilliards, I keep watching more and more ppl doing these PPVs & I firmly believe it is one of the killers of pool. And don't tell me about "Hey where is your support for this guy who brought equipment & cameras to stream pool for you" -- no I ain't supporting a guy who wants to make a few bucks from a few individuals and on the process, he's making pool private and killing exposure if you can't do it, then don't stream it. I don't want you to bring cameras and then make pool private, sorry.
Click to expand...
Lol. Just pretend there are no PPV's and the match wouldn't be broadcast at all. NOBODY is going to put pool on TV and NOBODY is going to produce these events for a loss.

I don't understand how we have so many people in this world that don't understand how a BUSINESS works.

There's plenty of Socialist/Communist countries, maybe you'd be better suited to living there.
 
thenaturalpoolplayer said:
The hey day was the 90's for sure...I think the US open purse was bigger back then than today isn't it? I think streaming is great though.
Although why is the mosconi cup US against Europe? Just make it a world cup already....the current format is ridiculous since the US doesn't even have the best players in the world..never did.
Click to expand...
What don't you understand about the MC being USA vs Europe? This isn't hard to understand at all.

I can feel by block finger warming up 🤨
 
smoochie said:
Good question but the way it works is that by making it more interesting & aim for exposure, then if they bring enough views then the eyes of the big companies will start to want to place some ads into the program...this will make every change to the world of pool & the money in it, this money from the big company ads will pay "fa dat" - plus some more, maybe add even more money into the pool prize of the pro's.
Click to expand...
You realize your answer regarding the funding source was to pretend somebody is interested enough to fund it, right?

Pool is right where it should be. As are playing the guitar and jogging...at the same time.
 
It’s a subculture. Nothing more. Nothing less. It’s a great sport but it doesn’t necessarily attract the country club set. Non pool players play it infrequently strictly on occasion to occupy their time. They don’t understand the nuances of the sport. The pool table is another piece of furniture in the house. While pool has its sullied reputation there are more criminals in the NBA, NFL and Congress than there are in pool.
 
Black-Balled said:
Wonder who he thinks was better at pool back in the day?
Click to expand...
Yeah, definitely 90s through to early 2000s. It's easier on the eye, and more exciting to watch back then
It would be nice to see it, get back to those levels one day!! If there is one thing we know, change is always around the corner.
 
Last edited:
smoochie said:
Some of you may think that I am cheap but I really ain't. I pay loads online for various things but I feel pretty bad about the state of pool and how the viewership keeps declining year after year.

There's no ads from big companies, no sponsors, which in return makes less money for the pro's. I know pro's who are very poor-- I don't blame the companies, why? Because there isn't enough people watching pool, hell even Nintendo games get more views than pool online, yes kids games getting more views. Its really in a bad state.

Which means we need more exposure and more interesting fun games. But what's the solution to accomplish this? Do you think the people who run pool will find a solution? Nop, they instead will make it more private by changing most streams/games into PPV. Yes I think the people who run PPV are contributing to killing pool, they may want money and are satisfied by the 40 ppl viewing their streams, but in the big picture, they are killing pool.

Mosconi cup is now private and probably watched by less than 200 or 300 people, are you stream PPV guys happy with this? Ok get your 12 bucks from 200 people but please know that you're killing pool by reducing exposure from the people who don't usually watch pool.

Even in the stream area here in azbilliards, I keep watching more and more ppl doing these PPVs & I firmly believe it is one of the killers of pool. And don't tell me about "Hey where is your support for this guy who brought equipment & cameras to stream pool for you" -- no I ain't supporting a guy who wants to make a few bucks from a few individuals and on the process, he's making pool private and killing exposure if you can't do it, then don't stream it. I don't want you to bring cameras and then make pool private, sorry.
Click to expand...
2-300?? WTF. Where do you get your #'s?? Thin air?? Your entire train of thought(????) needs work. BTW, pool is far from dying. More pro-level pool now than in the last 25yrs. PPV streams is one of the things that has kept pool viable/visible. Big difference in private and PAY UP.
 
Last edited:
smoochie said:
Some of you may think that I am cheap but I really ain't. I pay loads online for various things but I feel pretty bad about the state of pool and how the viewership keeps declining year after year.

There's no ads from big companies, no sponsors, which in return makes less money for the pro's. I know pro's who are very poor-- I don't blame the companies, why? Because there isn't enough people watching pool, hell even Nintendo games get more views than pool online, yes kids games getting more views. Its really in a bad state.

Which means we need more exposure and more interesting fun games. But what's the solution to accomplish this? Do you think the people who run pool will find a solution? Nop, they instead will make it more private by changing most streams/games into PPV. Yes I think the people who run PPV are contributing to killing pool, they may want money and are satisfied by the 40 ppl viewing their streams, but in the big picture, they are killing pool.

Mosconi cup is now private and probably watched by less than 200 or 300 people, are you stream PPV guys happy with this? Ok get your 12 bucks from 200 people but please know that you're killing pool by reducing exposure from the people who don't usually watch pool.

Even in the stream area here in azbilliards, I keep watching more and more ppl doing these PPVs & I firmly believe it is one of the killers of pool. And don't tell me about "Hey where is your support for this guy who brought equipment & cameras to stream pool for you" -- no I ain't supporting a guy who wants to make a few bucks from a few individuals and on the process, he's making pool private and killing exposure if you can't do it, then don't stream it. I don't want you to bring cameras and then make pool private, sorry.
Click to expand...
You are paying for everything else you have access to on TV, most of which you don’t watch. There are (in most cases) massive production costs involved with streaming (televising) an event. I have no problem paying for a stream I want to watch. The promoters are not a charitable organization and unlike TV networks, do not have a massive stream of ad revenue to help cover costs and turn a profit. Streaming services have to rely on subscription dollars which they share with the players in the pool streaming world. IMO, PPV has helped pool more than it has hurt. As pool fans, we have more access to content than ever which is a good thing! The Matchroom events are televised for “free” in may other countries around the world via Sky Sports. It is not free for those viewers. Having been in the pay tv business for 20 years, I can tell you, $3-$5 of each customer’s monthly bill is going to Sky Sports, whether they watch it or not. If you don’t want to pay the $20 to DAZN to watch the Mosconi Cup or to Omega TV for a 3 day event that’s your prerogative, but don’t cast your choice as some sort of truth PPV is the devil.
 
smoochie said:
Some of you may think that I am cheap but I really ain't. I pay loads online for various things but I feel pretty bad about the state of pool and how the viewership keeps declining year after year.
Click to expand...
In my experience, if someone is a pool player, they are cheap. Notoriously cheap. And I'm not saying I don't resemble this remark.
smoochie said:
Mosconi cup is now private and probably watched by less than 200 or 300 people, are you stream PPV guys happy with this? Ok get your 12 bucks from 200 people but please know that you're killing pool by reducing exposure from the people who don't usually watch pool.
Click to expand...

Not sure where you are getting data indicated that it is watched by less than 200 or 300 people. That sounds ridiculously low.

smoochie said:
Even in the stream area here in azbilliards, I keep watching more and more ppl doing these PPVs & I firmly believe it is one of the killers of pool. And don't tell me about "Hey where is your support for this guy who brought equipment & cameras to stream pool for you" -- no I ain't supporting a guy who wants to make a few bucks from a few individuals and on the process, he's making pool private and killing exposure if you can't do it, then don't stream it. I don't want you to bring cameras and then make pool private, sorry.
Click to expand...

There is an incredible amount of high quality free pool content. See the How many YouTube "Pool" related Channels are there? for tons of examples. The content from Accustats is a gold mine. Unlike facebook, no paywall or login required.

As far as the streamers, I highly appreciate these folk making pool available to the fans. It wasn't so long ago that you couldn't pay any amount of money to watch pool, live. I don't imagine they are exactly making a killing off of what they are doing, and it appears to be grueling work with not a lot of rewards. They must love pool to do it.

Believe it or not, it costs a LOT of money to stream an event to a non-trivial number of users over the internet. This is why most of these PPV streams are so crappy once they get over 50 or so simultaneous users. In most cases they are streaming from a single shared hosting data center, they oversell the subscriptions to cover the cost, and the quality suffers. The interface that the user gets is barely functional and not user friendly at all. They don't have professional user interface design teams with quality testing. They can't afford it. Nor can they afford to prop up globally load balanced delivery of content.

Now, if they are going to charge over, say, $20 (I'm cheap), it better work, and it better have some basic functionality like fast-forward, rewind, replay of past matches, finding past matches is easy, etc. I would also like to see the players get a cut of streaming revenue, something like a percentage comparable to the payout of the tournament itself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top