my reply to the 49.99 to watch the US open

[!Smorgass Bored]

Watch Your Pennies And Your Dollars Will Take Care Of Themselves... imo

I'm going to wait and catch it for Free on youtube.com or buy a bootleg DVD copy....... maybe from "Short Bus" Russ.

Doug
( in my book, $50 is a 'raise' or an 'all in'.....)



I think Danny Harriman should get paid before I spend $50 on the U.S. Open




.

 

[TATE]

I waited to see what the vote was gonna be and its 70% no, Streaming video is the best thing to happen to pool since chalk was invented, ESPN etc hasnt done us many favors and this gets pool into alot of peoples houses LIVE-it dosent get any better,

However $49.99 is too much $$$ for streaming video, They are pricing themselfs out of alot of viewers, $20 is the sweet spot IMO, I'm a marketer and I go by my instincts and if they charged less they would leave some $$$ on the table any more than $20 or $25 they are driving away potential buys,


The Actionreport guys have it priced right, and will succeed in time as we get accustomed to watchings more content on our computers and not TV.


I'm not knocking the US Open guys, hell I dont know who's doing it, I applaude their efforts. But with 70% of the people saying no-myself included(I can afford it) they are just over pricing the event. I hope they are successful, and encourage the fans to buy it but....."Its just too F$&@^%# high!!!!!". I believe everyone should make $$$ but I know they would do better if they dropped the price a bit.

Well, we all want quality, but are we willing to pay for it? In terms of business, I would probably not have made this large of a price jump at once myself. At one time they were giving these web-casts away. So now the mentality is comparing the huge content we were getting at give-away prices like $10.

BUT.. stand back and look at it for a minute. A quality broadcast, our favorite commentators, the best players in the world, tough equipment (not a JOKE like ESPN), and long enough races to matter. Hook that PC up to your big LCD and kick back for the week - I guarantee you it will be the best 50 bucks you spent in a long time.

It's nice to have the upgraded technology and a choice of full week coverage or day passes. The full week coverage allows archived viewing up until October 27. Basically, it's $7 per day with a chance to watch each days action until 7 days after the event.

To me, it's a no brainer. I missed it a few years ago when Keith was contending. I missed John Schmidt's win. How many joke $50 boxing matches have I bought until I finally quit buying them?

I am not going to be a cheap ass and I know you're not. Life is too short. There is a lot of value here - it's just the way it needs to be presented and offered that could have been better.

Chris

 

[TATE]

That's the problem with today's society. We just accept what they give us. We need to all stick together on this. I wouldn't be so quick to sign up for this event after the streaming problems with the Derby City finals last January.

By the way... I can't get the demo to work on the BCN site. All I see on the screen is some text, is that supposed to be the demo? Has anyone seen an actual demo?

If you're using Explorer check your pop-up blocker - you have to accept an active X control download. Macs are not supported on this broadcast either.

The quality was pretty good full screen. Not as good as a tape or TV broadcast but a whole lot better than the pixelized web casts or tiny screen we've been getting.

Chris

 

[9baller]

Is there a way to copy it to dvd if you subscribe, or to save it to your comp? I would rather save it than just watch it live.

 

[Johnnyt]

I did watch the demo full screen and it looked good. Question is will it be the same quality when there are 1000 or more on it. Johnnyt

 

[Johnnyt]

Is there a way to copy it to dvd if you subscribe, or to save it to your comp? I would rather save it than just watch it live.

I believe your question was answered on the 1st thread for the open coverage. Johnnyt

 

[John Barton]

Sorry John, your entire argument on how to value and price a product is totally flawed.

Whether this programming, or any other product, is worth a particiliar price is not determined by dividing it's customer base by it's costs and then adding a reasonable profit to that number.

That was not my premise. I was only explaining one possible economic scenario as relates to pricing.

What a product is worth to the consumer is for the consumer to decide. What a product should be offered for sale at is determined by the costs incurred to bring it to market vs. expected sales life cycle. Obviously the higher the cost and the shorter the sales cycle means a higher price.

That would mean that the less desirable your product is, and the less customers you attract, the more you should charge. That is exactly the reverse way of developing a successful, profitable business model.

I don't believe I said that. I think everyone agrees that the US Open broadcast is desirable. Of course the price point of $50 is not as attractive as a price point of $20 but then again my point remains that at $50 they need to attract a LOT less people to make a profit than they do at $20. A lesson on the economics of low prices might be worthwhile.


A viable startup business first finds a need not being filled within a particiliar industry, develops a quality, marketable product that fills that need, and prices that product according to it's estimated value to it's potential customer base. Most business developers know that the more you charge for your product the less customers you will attract, and intentially try to keep their initial pricing low, sometimes even losing money until a large enough, loyal customer base is established. They continue to improve their product and incrementally raise prices as they establish themselves.

Yes, and another often overlooked stat by people who think that business actually runs like business theory is the FACT than most small businesses FAIL within the first year of being in business. Perhaps they have miscalculated the timeframe in which they could LOSE money building that large "loyal" customer base. You know those "loyal" customers who were attracted by the low prices and won't jump to the next supplier when the prices are raised to profitable levels. I think that perhaps you may want to interject some reality into your theory. Mine comes from 20 years of practice.

Why should it be that the pool community be the only industry where the customers are asked to accept and subsidize any overpriced, poorly planned and run business?

I am sorry but what part of BCN's US Open and Derby City Classic broadcasts have been overpriced, poorly planned or poorly run? To me Rob Sykora has been a pioneer in the field of broadcasting pool over the web and on cable. He has had glitches that were the fault of the provider which I think is an issue that all internet broadcasters face in this infantile age of the internet. I don't recall that anyone has asked the pool community to support a poorly run business just because it's a pool-related endeavor. However to complain that a week of full access to the world's greatest players is overpriced at $50 is truly ignorant in the face of all the things of far and clear lesser value that we as Americans throw money away on. And to characterize BCN as you did is also pretty insulting to someone who has worked tirelessly for many years to try and bring pool to another level.

Other industries are required to supply a good product at a fair price to their customers and their customers are always allowed to criticize, or not patronize, any business that does not properly serve their needs. That is how business works, as it should be. Why should we be expected to accept a second class status and relinquish our consumer rights in order to support poorly planned, or priced, business models? To do so will only mean that the pool industry will forever be relegated to a second class, subculture status. I absolutely refuse to accept that as the future of pool.

And no one has said that the BCN consumers should give up their rights. Perhaps you should at least BECOME a consumer of BCN's products before categorizing them in the do. When you DON'T receive what you paid for THEN you can complain. Until then this theorizing about what a business SHOULD do and how and why they SHOULD price their products a certain way is all academic.

I'm not stating that I believe that this particiliar company and product falls into the above scenario, but if it does, we certainly have the right to not support it.
Jim

Yes, as a matter of fact you are effectively stating that BCN falls into the above scenario as you outlined it. Your disclaimer at the end of the rant doesn't absolve you of the de facto accusation. This is not business theory class here. If you love pool and want to see it grow and want to DO SOMETHING about it then supporting BCN's efforts by purchasing their VALUE PACKED PPV is one way to do it.

 

[John Barton]

Is there a way to copy it to dvd if you subscribe, or to save it to your comp? I would rather save it than just watch it live.

You can find plenty of programs on the web that allow you to record streaming video.

google search

 

[asbani]

is it possible to watch US Open online? Since i don't have a ESPN channel + I can't go to america now, my work didn't give me a holiday vacation

 

[Blackjack]

The price is totally in line. For a week of feature matches with commentators of one of the majors? How much is a typical UFC PPV fight?

I really can't see how anyone could figure that this is not a great value? I have watched BCTV's stuff in the past and generally been well pleased with the amount of pool for the money and this doesn't look any different.

In comparison to the Action Report the US Open will have multiple cameras, news of other matches, replays and closeups. In short, there IS no comparison. If anything this event is priced too low OR the Action Report's was too high. I think that both events are priced just fine and offer great value for the money.

This is not a charity. If you can't afford $50 for this event then maybe you need to be looking for a better job

If the hypothetical break even is $50,000 then they need 1000 viewers at $50 or 2500 at $20. I would bet it's easier to get 1000 people to pay $50 than it is to get 2500 to pay 20. And after the break even point the profits are much lower with each additional viewer at 20.

I haven't looked at how BCTV is doing it but in years past they sold the PPV as a package or as a per match basis. I paid $10 once to view the DCC finals and it rocked.

So for all those that claim to support pool here is your chance to get one of the GREATEST values in pool, brought to you by a pioneer in Streaming Video of pool matches. For all that we like to applaud The Action Report we should also applaud the FACT that BCTV was there FIRST with high quality web streaming of Pro Matches.

I completely agree. Thank you to Rob Sykora, the entire production and technical staff, Accu-stats, Chalk-off, The Behrman crew, Billy Incardona, Jim Wyche, Jerry Forsyth - Grady - and everybody that works hard to bring us these high quality matches. Of course the price is high, but that is possibly due to the devaluation of the dollar - these days it ain't worth squat - which is not BcN's fault. IMO, everything is more expensive these days - that's just a fact of life in the USA these days.

IMO, if we do not support these events by either purchasing the live stream, or by purchasing the DVD's the prices will only increase. The people that are producing this stream work hard and I appreciate that.

They always schedule great matches on the TV table, the commentary is great, you have a front row seat and different angles of almost every situation, and $50 is probably a steal compared to buying the VIP seats that RichR gets every year for himself and his wife. So if $50 buys me "the next best thing to being there" I'll pay for it, enjoy it and be appreciative to those that provide it.

 

[Jeff]

I think I will order it today. $50 for a whole lot of pool action ain't bad in my book.

I would spend that in one night out and probably not enjoy myself 1/3 as much as I will watching good/great players go at it live.

That said, there is one thing that could ruin the experience......problems with the feed....on/off, slow downs, etc.

They have had these issues in the past as we all know and I hope they are in the PAST...............

 

[pocketspeed]

a bargain

actually $50 sounds like a bargain for a full week of coverage. i paid $60 for tickets to 2 days of the WPBA US open in RI in august. we are always looking for a "deal" (check the "wanted/for sale" forum). i think we need to get over the fact that $50 dollars sounds like a lot of money and realize what a bargain we are really being offered.

brian

 

[jimmyg]

Yes, as a matter of fact you are effectively stating that BCN falls into the above scenario as you outlined it. Your disclaimer at the end of the rant doesn't absolve you of the de facto accusation. This is not business theory class here. If you love pool and want to see it grow and want to DO SOMETHING about it then supporting BCN's efforts by purchasing their VALUE PACKED PPV is one way to do it.

So far in the poll about this topic, 72% of the Azers that voted stated that they are NOT willing to spend $50 to view the programming. Maybe a little "business theory" can go a long way, especially for those that really want to see the sport grow.

Things don't just grow because people want them to, most successful businesses appreciate, and ask their customers for constructive feedback, and what they can do to retain them... and then try and do it. Properly run businesses are usually the ones that survive and grow, and that's a simple fact.

Jim

 

[Johnnyt]

After reading this thread I am changing my mind and paying the $50 for a weeks worth of matcthes of top players. I'm sure I'll get a bet or three on some of the matches along the way giving me the possibility of recouping my investment...or not. I'm all in. Johnnyt

 

[macguy]

So far in the poll about this topic, 72% of the Azers that voted stated that they are NOT willing to spend $50 to view the programming. Maybe a little "business theory" can go a long way, especially for those that really want to see the sport grow.

Things don't just grow because people want them to, most successful businesses appreciate, and ask their customers for constructive feedback, and what they can do to retain them... and then try and do it. Properly run businesses are usually the ones that survive and grow, and that's a simple fact.

Jim

Years ago a company started called 89 cent diners, they sold a meal for $.89. They built restaurants all over the south and sold franchises. They all went broke, know why? You can't sell meals for $.89 and make any money. For a weeks worth of programing for $50.00 consider that the starting point the bottom dollar and maybe in the future they may be able to get $99.00 or $129.00. If they can't get the $50.00 there is no reason to even continue and they should just fold because there is no business in it if there is not profit they can make and put back into the company to grow it and improve. $50.00 for the week, "IS" the starting point they need to get. That's the fallacy in this whole conversation.

You are not getting it for nothing no matter how much you cry and if people don't want to buy it that is their prerogative. People would love pool to be 60 cents an hour like it was when they were kids, but if they want a place to go and play they have to pay the right price or they will have no place to play at all.

 

[jimmyg]

Years ago a company started called 89 cent diners, they sold a meal for $.89. They built restaurants all over the south and sold franchises. They all went broke, know why? You can't sell meals for $.89 and make any money. For a weeks worth of programing for $50.00 consider that the starting point the bottom dollar and maybe in the future they may be able to get $99.00 or $129.00. If they can't get the $50.00 there is no reason to even continue and they should just fold because there is no business in it if there is not profit they can make and put back into the company to grow it and improve. $50.00 for the week, "IS" the starting point they need to get. That's the fallacy in this whole conversation.

You are not getting it for nothing no matter how much you cry and if people don't want to buy it that is their prerogative. People would love pool to be 60 cents an hour like it was when they were kids, but if they want a place to go and play they have to pay the right price or they will have no place to play at all.

Mac, I don't disagree with you. Maybe $50 is their break even point, maybe it's not, I really don't know.

But, I'm not even giving my personal opinion on whether or not I think that it's worth $50, it may be worth $100, or even $200. I'm simply stating that if 72% of hard core followers and participants say that is too high that it may not be a viable venture. If people are not willing to pay the price, then, perhaps, it really isn't worth it. That's all.

In your example the customer was willing to pay the asking price but the business underestimated it's own expenses, so the company had a poor plan and went out of business. In this situation, the potential customers are saying (according to the poll) that they believe that the price is too high (I'm not saying that, the poll is saying that) and they will not purchase the product. In both cases the business plan is flawed and needs to be rethought.

"This is not personal Sonny, this is strictly business"

Jim

 

[Johnnyt]

The $49 changes to $69 after tomorrow . . . I was going to order, but the web page that takes your credit card info is not secure I don't need my credit card number stolen and credit history trashed just to see some pool. Wish they would fix it.

I just ordered it and the site was secure. Johnnyt

 

[John Barton]

So far in the poll about this topic, 72% of the Azers that voted stated that they are NOT willing to spend $50 to view the programming. Maybe a little "business theory" can go a long way, especially for those that really want to see the sport grow.

Things don't just grow because people want them to, most successful businesses appreciate, and ask their customers for constructive feedback, and what they can do to retain them... and then try and do it. Properly run businesses are usually the ones that survive and grow, and that's a simple fact.

Jim

And polls prove nothing. It has been shown many many many times how polls are manipulated by how the questions are asked.

And it's only 72% of respondents to the poll who said they wouldn't purchase it. Which, IF you really want to extrapolate that to all AZers, means that's about 2800 of the 10,000 registered users who WILL pay $50 to watch it. If you want to use polls.

And most consumers if polled would say lowering prices is one thing a business can do to retain them. Which only goes to prove that most consumers don't shop on value but on price. However ones that shop based on value tend to look for things like reliability, quality, and service before price. And really successful business excel in those areas while the ones who try to use price as the greatest attraction struggle or fail. There is a book or an essay floating around that does the math behind the cost of cutting prices. The premise of the piece is to show how much it COSTS when a business cuts it's prices and how much extra in terms of labor and goods must be used and sold before you even reach the level you were at before cutting prices. It's a pretty sobering thing to see the real costs of lowering your prices and is something that most people who run businesses don't get.

You're right Jim, a business doesn't grow simply because someone "wants" it to... however some grow despite any particular plan or model. They just happen to have the right combination of offers at the right time or location. Anyway, this is all fun to theorize but at the end of the day BCN has to price this where they need to and hope for the best. When they had a sponsor picking up the tab then they could afford to sell it for less when they don't then we need to pay more if we want it. That's the bottom line period.

 

[JimS]

I ordered it a few days ago. There's lots of rationalizations about why it would be right to not pay $50 for it but the bottom line is those who won't pay it won't be watching it and I will.

 

[smashmouth]

bottom line, 72% of your most hardcore target audience is passing, not good