It doesn't matter, the subscribers all wander through here. The results of every match will be know well in advance of the airing. Will people pay to see a match they know the outcome of that may even have been uneventful, we will have to wait and see. Where I live they replay the day before sports events, baseball basketball and football. They even edit it down. I pretty much never watch the replays even though I didn't see the game. Once I know who won I don't really care anymore.
Now ESPN years ago commented that pool is an exhibition sport. They commented they could show old matches from even years ago and no one would care, they just want to see the game played. They compared it to a rodeo. No one knows the cowboys or cares who wins, they want to see the guy fall off the bull. Difference is, ESPN is free at least if you are a cable subscriber it comes in the package.
As weak as BB was before, showing old matches played maybe months earlier with the results known can't help.
I was an early "$199 season pass" subscriber, thinking I'd try to help out a new business. Had I known they were not going to play ball with the existing promoters I definitely would not have supported them.
There has been no communication to the PPV subscribers such as myself. I would have appreciated notices regarding schedule changes, cancelled matches etc. If they are planning on doing PPV/on demand matches for the next few years and could keep someone like myself as a multi-year subscriber I would recommend some type of communication.
In truth, the few matches I watched really didn't get my attention and probably wouldn't have watched any more even if it were possible - and I REALLY enjoy watching high level pool.
When prominent people in the pool world such as Jerry F and Mark G speak out regarding something it won't be without very good reason.
After following around 50% of the threads regarding bonus ball, I am of the opinion that they are trying to finish season 1 with the hopes of trying to sell the model to a TV network, most likely in Asia, or possibly and I consider this less likely as programming to a North American sports network. Either way I feel the odds are against a long term paycheck for the current players/teams.
I do see the fallout for the players over the next few years due to tournaments being cancelled, which happened in full or at least in part from bonus ball.
Hopefully bonus ball rights its wrongs and turns out to be something positive for our sport. However, I don't think too many organizations could recover from a first year with so many egregious mistakes. Mistakes which have to shake the confidence of an investor.
The good news is with so many organizations trying things and failing it should be easier for someone to come along and learn from these documented mistakes. I just hope the players aren't too gun shy if and when that happens.
Jason Froehling
:thumbup: JCIN would crap his pants to get that kind of viewership (all the while laughing all the way to the bank...and he deserves every damn dollar!!!).
