How to Increase Pool's Television Ratings

[StevenPWaldon]

I think American audiences have to develop an attention span beyond that of a gnat; then perhaps pool will become popular.

Everyone keeps comparing UK snooker and US pool. Arguably, UK snooker is slower and less "entertaining" to watch. Regardless, the ratings and money is so much higher as everyone knows. It's got nothing to do with anything other than the audience. Euros can appreciate a good sport, Americans need to see topless babes and 300 lb gorillas crashing into each other on astro turf.

So I agree that people need to stop trying to change pool. Instead, we just need to change all of America!

 

[macguy]

I think American audiences have to develop an attention span beyond that of a gnat; then perhaps pool will become popular.

Everyone keeps comparing UK snooker and US pool. Arguably, UK snooker is slower and less "entertaining" to watch. Regardless, the ratings and money is so much higher as everyone knows. It's got nothing to do with anything other than the audience. Euros can appreciate a good sport, Americans need to see topless babes and 300 lb gorillas crashing into each other on astro turf.

So I agree that people need to stop trying to change pool. Instead, we just need to change all of America!

They have open betting on snooker. Bookies right at the tournaments.

 

[misterpoole]

"Everyone keeps comparing UK snooker and US pool. Arguably, UK snooker is slower and less "entertaining" to watch. Regardless, the ratings and money is so much higher as everyone knows. It's got nothing to do with anything other than the audience."

A maximum snooker break is very entertaining. There is no equal in 9-ball, especially with alternate break. Even horse racing has the triple crown which is the one time I will watch a horse race on the TV (unless I am in a sports book).
Also, with snooker the major participants are media stars. They have known personalities, whether liked or disliked.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

One of the big reasons certain sports have gained in popularity is statistics. People who don't watch baseball will tune-in if there someone going after Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak. Really, statistics makes the game interesting. It places value on it and forces you to focus on a single performer. That's how fan interest is created.

If you want to have something like that for pool, you're going to have to switch to straight-pool and get 9-ball off tv. I mean, imagine the suspense of wondering when or if the shooter will miss. You want appreciation or understanding? Give them a game where you don't need television balls or a constant explanation of the rules. Give them a game with a statistics bar, showing the current run and the game high run. Show them statistics about the player such as career high-run and average throughout the tournament.

Honestly, what the original post failed to mention is that although people might enjoy watching pool, they don't give a hoot about 9-ball. Breaks are rarely shown. Sometimes they even omit the breaks! People don't know the rules. They just like watching balls go in and the last thing they want to see is someone miss. Put a game on television that can be statistically analysed like straight pool and you'll have a television audience counting along with the referee. Seriously, does it get any better than that?

 

[Cue of Fury]

You're right Jude, straight pool is the best game in terms of giving non-pool playing people statistics to drool over.

 

[Splinterhands]

And then you have those sports figures who started from the bottom and climbed their way to the top and triumphed in all their glory, the Williams Sisters in tennis, Tiger Woods and Esteban Toledo in golf.
JAM

Esteban Toledo? Now there's an everyday household name. I agree with CaptainJR's assessment of the 8-ball/9-ball games. Other than the serious players who have a passion for the game, your typical casual player won't sit through a televised match of nine-ball. How about a televised match of bar-box 8-ball? You could include showing the players putting the quarters in the table, side-betting, woofing...etc. This would be more interesting to a majority of recreational players because they can relate to this. And, 8-ball played on a bar box wouldn't be too slow for television. As it is right now, players wear these microphones and you never hear a peep out of them. There also needs to be some sex appeal during the matches, whether it's a busty women racking the balls or serving drinks during the match. Oh, last but not least...Adios Mitch.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Esteban Toledo? Now there's an everyday household name. I agree with CaptainJR's assessment of the 8-ball/9-ball games. Other than the serious players who have a passion for the game, your typical casual player won't sit through a televised match of nine-ball. How about a televised match of bar-box 8-ball? You could include showing the players putting the quarters in the table, side-betting, woofing...etc. This would be more interesting to a majority of recreational players because they can relate to this. And, 8-ball played on a bar box wouldn't be too slow for television. As it is right now, players wear these microphones and you never hear a peep out of them. There also needs to be some sex appeal during the matches, whether it's a busty women racking the balls or serving drinks during the match. Oh, last but not least...Adios Mitch.

My problem with this idea is that it ends up looking more like "reality" tv than a sports event.

 

[landshark77]

how many pool players do you know that make 50 dimes a year?

VAP

12 in 2004 This is just reported prizes money though, not sponsorships, endorsements, or gambling proceeds. Granted, the pay out is not even comparable to those in the top of other sports. Also, the there is is ALOT of players that do take a loss because as JAM pointed out the expenses don't even touch the payouts...especially if you don't win. But then again...as I said before....tourneys offer 1st place payouts that equal more than half of what I make in a year working 40+ hours with a college degree. IF I won just two tourneys a year I would be equal to what I get paid now....too bad I suck at pool.

 

[pete lafond]

...

Honestly, what the original post failed to mention is that although people might enjoy watching pool, they don't give a hoot about 9-ball. Breaks are rarely shown. Sometimes they even omit the breaks! People don't know the rules. They just like watching balls go in and the last thing they want to see is someone miss. Put a game on television that can be statistically analysed like straight pool and you'll have a television audience counting along with the referee. Seriously, does it get any better than that?

You hit it. My mom, 84 years old, enjoys watching pool on TV though she never really played that much in her youth. She gets annoyed that they miss some of the breaks, jump games ahead and skip portions of games. She's right, how can you follow something and stay interested if you can not see the entire match?

So if she gets frustrated, what about those that are not familiar at all? You can not follow a complete match, so why watch.

 

[vapoolplayer]

One of the big reasons certain sports have gained in popularity is statistics. People who don't watch baseball will tune-in if there someone going after Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak. Really, statistics makes the game interesting. It places value on it and forces you to focus on a single performer. That's how fan interest is created.

If you want to have something like that for pool, you're going to have to switch to straight-pool and get 9-ball off tv. I mean, imagine the suspense of wondering when or if the shooter will miss. You want appreciation or understanding? Give them a game where you don't need television balls or a constant explanation of the rules. Give them a game with a statistics bar, showing the current run and the game high run. Show them statistics about the player such as career high-run and average throughout the tournament.

Honestly, what the original post failed to mention is that although people might enjoy watching pool, they don't give a hoot about 9-ball. Breaks are rarely shown. Sometimes they even omit the breaks! People don't know the rules. They just like watching balls go in and the last thing they want to see is someone miss. Put a game on television that can be statistically analysed like straight pool and you'll have a television audience counting along with the referee. Seriously, does it get any better than that?

i can see it now............danny basavich at the table......he has a 64 degree cut angle.........he's shooting .790 with this shot, during the 5th round of the loser bracket, with the room temperature at 68 degrees............but only .670 when the room temperature is 74.......LMAO

VAP

 

[CaptainJR]

let me answer that question with a question. When is the last time you saw 5 consecutive 9 ball break and runs, on tv? I know I never have. I've seen players win multiple games in a row, but never multiple break and runs. There is plenty of player involvement in 9ball.

I saw Shawn Putnam do at least 4 in a row just last month in the finals of PP event.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

i can see it now............danny basavich at the table......he has a 64 degree cut angle.........he's shooting .790 with this shot, during the 5th round of the loser bracket, with the room temperature at 68 degrees............but only .670 when the room temperature is 74.......LMAO

VAP

Okay, seriously I would be curious about these statistics:

1. How often breaker successfully gets back to the table after executing opening safety.

2. Both Players' high runs for the match, event & career

3. Inning # and Average run for the match

4. Current run

5. Score


I mean, 4 & 5 should be on-screen ALL THE TIME. All the rest is filler that can be provided throughout the match. Unless Danny Barouty is playing, straight pool can be a rather long affair. It's important that no matter who does the commentary, they have something more than just the shot-at-hand to talk about.

Like I said, the objective is to add significance to what they're doing by showing something that is statistically unusual. Baseball even has something called The Cycle which really has no bearing on the outcome of the game whatsoever. Basketball has The Triple-Double which is also a meaningless statistic when you really think about it.

Pool can be just as statistical as anything else. Accu-Stats is merely the beginning of it. What can be provided to a viewer is really mind-boggling when you think about it.

 

[pete lafond]

i can see it now............danny basavich at the table......he has a 64 degree cut angle.........he's shooting .790 with this shot, during the 5th round of the loser bracket, with the room temperature at 68 degrees............but only .670 when the room temperature is 74.......LMAO

VAP

I can definitely see that too much stats just will not work with billiards. But if they ever get enough money to start showing entire matches, it would help the audience to stay interested.

 

[Splinterhands]

My problem with this idea is that it ends up looking more like "reality" tv than a sports event.

Perhaps, but if we're talking about appealing to mass audiences, reality TV is the hot ticket right now. ESPN might not carry it, but FOX might if it's nasty enough. Imagine McCready flirting with the bar maid and downing Budweisers while his girlfriend is stewing in the audience. Let's face it, televised 9-ball is boring to most people and I think straight pool would be worse.

 

[AceHigh]

I saw Shawn Putnam do at least 4 in a row just last month in the finals of PP event.

Was it on TV? No. Will it ever be on TV? No. Show me one match that has been broadcast on ESPN in the past 2-3 years where a player (male or female) has put a 5 pack on someone.

I must agree with Splinterhands, straight pool is not the answer for televised pool. While it is my fav. game, it is too long and the viewer will become bored.

I would like to see an all billiard channel that shows straight pool matches, along with 8 ball, one pocket, and other various games.

 

[pete lafond]

Perhaps, but if we're talking about appealing to mass audiences, reality TV is the hot ticket right now. ESPN might not carry it, but FOX might if it's nasty enough. Imagine McCready flirting with the bar maid and downing Budweisers while his girlfriend is stewing in the audience. Let's face it, televised 9-ball is boring to most people and I think straight pool would be worse.

Sometimes you just do not know if something will work until you've tried it. Just maybe Earls offensive 14.1 would work. I think it should start with a break first like in 8 ball though. If you scratch on the break, your innings done. They should do a test on this one.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Perhaps, but if we're talking about appealing to mass audiences, reality TV is the hot ticket right now. ESPN might not carry it, but FOX might if it's nasty enough. Imagine McCready flirting with the bar maid and downing Budweisers while his girlfriend is stewing in the audience. Let's face it, televised 9-ball is boring to most people and I think straight pool would be worse.

If that were the case, it'd be a product I (and most pool players) would end up having zero interest in. Personally, I feel pool's television success will rest in how bar-friendly it is. So long as people can watch it without having to listen, it'll be successful. Keith McCready flirting with a bartender while JAM gets pissed is soap-opera drama I'd care not devote any of my time to. That's just junkfood for your brain.

I think we need to take a good look at snooker and its popularity in England and try to Americanize their approach. Also the World Championship is another event that has had incredible world acclaim.

What you fail to realize is that pool and billiards HAVE had incredible success on television. There's no need to bastardize the game in order to appeal to the perversion of the masses. Keep pool intact. Focus on what it is that people enjoy about pool and sports and exploit it. Personally, I think statistical analysis is an integral part of most fanatics and needs to be better utilized. If 9-ball isn't the game to do it with, they should strongly consider a game that's more friendly to such analysis. Personally, I think that's straight pool but that's my humble opinion.

 

[pete lafond]

If that were the case, it'd be a product I (and most pool players) would end up having zero interest in. Personally, I feel pool's television success will rest in how bar-friendly it is. So long as people can watch it without having to listen, it'll be successful. Keith McCready flirting with a bartender while JAM gets pissed is soap-opera drama I'd care not devote any of my time to. That's just junkfood for your brain.

.

Hey, who knows, Keith and Jennie might become famous. Most TV personalities are boring, add the cuts, re-takes, drowning outs, voice pitch changes, side views and all.. anyone can be an actor, you just have to be part of the close nit Hollywood group.

Now Keith and Jam, they do not need to act, their natural. Actually famous in the pool community. Who knows.

 

[Rackin_Zack]

Was it on TV? No. Will it ever be on TV? No. Show me one match that has been broadcast on ESPN in the past 2-3 years where a player (male or female) has put a 5 pack on someone.

I must agree with Splinterhands, straight pool is not the answer for televised pool. While it is my fav. game, it is too long and the viewer will become bored.

I would like to see an all billiard channel that shows straight pool matches, along with 8 ball, one pocket, and other various games.

You'll see it when they air the WPBA event from Alpine, CA! Kelly Fisher essentially broke and ran 7 or 8 racks in a row! Although this spanned two different people. She played lights out. Had they been playing winner breaks she could have very well run out one or both of the sets.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Sometimes you just do not know if something will work until you've tried it. Just maybe Earls offensive 14.1 would work. I think it should start with a break first like in 8 ball though. If you scratch on the break, your innings done. They should do a test on this one.

I agree. If not straight pool then Earl Strickland's suggestion of "Offensive Straight Pool" would be my other choice. Without having seen the game played or reviewed anything resembling the rules, it'd be difficult for me to give a full opinion but the concept I saw in another thread sounds exciting and VERY television friendly. Without the option of saftey play, players would be FORCED to take extremely unusual shots with severe consequences. Also, unlike 7-ball (which is rotation's version of offense-only play), offensive solutions would not always be obvious. Combinations and caroms within the stack will surely baffle the television audience. Lastly, since there appears to be little difference between Strickland's version and traditional straight pool, high run records could be challenged under the new format.