Why so little TV for pool?
- Thread starter Johnnyt
- Start date
it's a popular topic on this forum. You can see some of the debates about pool and TV in america in many of the threads on here.
I think the way it works is... tv show producers will put on pool stuff if they think lots of people want to see it, and if someone can afford to pay for the airtime. But it costs a like a half million bucks or so to buy an hour of time on ESPN (that's not the right number but anyway it's very expensive).
Out of all the big sports, pool is one of the lowest paying. So they can't afford to buy lots of airtime even if ESPN thinks lots of people want to see it. Normally the cost of the airtime can be made up by getting sponsors, but pool also seems to have sponsorship issues... only pool-related companies seem to sponsor it, but other sports can get sponsorship from GM or some huge corporation. Those big companies can afford to help pay to get spots on espn, but smaller companies who make stuff like chalk-off or cue sticks or whatever cannot.
There's an article about the popularity of TV pool (well, the 2006 world pool championships) here:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=54568
I think the way it works is... tv show producers will put on pool stuff if they think lots of people want to see it, and if someone can afford to pay for the airtime. But it costs a like a half million bucks or so to buy an hour of time on ESPN (that's not the right number but anyway it's very expensive).
Out of all the big sports, pool is one of the lowest paying. So they can't afford to buy lots of airtime even if ESPN thinks lots of people want to see it. Normally the cost of the airtime can be made up by getting sponsors, but pool also seems to have sponsorship issues... only pool-related companies seem to sponsor it, but other sports can get sponsorship from GM or some huge corporation. Those big companies can afford to help pay to get spots on espn, but smaller companies who make stuff like chalk-off or cue sticks or whatever cannot.
There's an article about the popularity of TV pool (well, the 2006 world pool championships) here:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=54568
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Johnnyt said:
I'm afraid it boils down to:
..............a lack of interest = low TV ratings = little money.
The cost of producing pool on TV is dirt cheap IMHO. Just shows how low the ratings must actually be for the networks/producers to have such little interest.
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I think the way it works is... tv show producers will put on pool stuff if they think lots of people want to see it, and if someone can afford to pay for the airtime. But it costs a like a half million bucks or so to buy an hour of time on ESPN (that's not the right number but anyway it's very expensive).
The TV folks don't know how many people & players want to watch Pool on TV. Sponsors need to know that folks will watch a program, before they will spend their ad money.
Out of all the big sports, pool is one of the lowest paying. So they can't afford to buy lots of airtime even if ESPN thinks lots of people want to see it. Normally the cost of the airtime can be made up by getting sponsors, but pool also seems to have sponsorship issues... only pool-related companies seem to sponsor it, but other sports can get sponsorship from GM or some huge corporation. Those big companies can afford to help pay to get spots on espn, but smaller companies who make stuff like chalk-off or cue sticks or whatever cannot.
Maybe a few million fans should send some leters to GM
There's an article about the popularity of TV pool (well, the 2006 world pool championships) here:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=54568[/QUOTE]
Folks in Asia & Europe are used to watching TV Pool, they enjoy it & they understand the game. Folks in America look down or our Sport, but that is changing. There several High School programs, which are attended by parents of the students, plus other students & friends in the schools.
Singularly, people don't have much of a voice or an audience. Pull a million or so together & you can get the laws changed (if you need an example of this, look at what is happening...>>. America will change it's immigration laws, because of the voice of 15 million illegal citizens).
If every Pool Room & Sports Bar in America sent a petition to Budweiser, Frito~Lay, GM & others, there would be sponsored Pool on TV & a Professional Tour.
The TV folks don't know how many people & players want to watch Pool on TV. Sponsors need to know that folks will watch a program, before they will spend their ad money.
Out of all the big sports, pool is one of the lowest paying. So they can't afford to buy lots of airtime even if ESPN thinks lots of people want to see it. Normally the cost of the airtime can be made up by getting sponsors, but pool also seems to have sponsorship issues... only pool-related companies seem to sponsor it, but other sports can get sponsorship from GM or some huge corporation. Those big companies can afford to help pay to get spots on espn, but smaller companies who make stuff like chalk-off or cue sticks or whatever cannot.
Maybe a few million fans should send some leters to GM
There's an article about the popularity of TV pool (well, the 2006 world pool championships) here:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=54568[/QUOTE]
Folks in Asia & Europe are used to watching TV Pool, they enjoy it & they understand the game. Folks in America look down or our Sport, but that is changing. There several High School programs, which are attended by parents of the students, plus other students & friends in the schools.
Singularly, people don't have much of a voice or an audience. Pull a million or so together & you can get the laws changed (if you need an example of this, look at what is happening...>>. America will change it's immigration laws, because of the voice of 15 million illegal citizens).
If every Pool Room & Sports Bar in America sent a petition to Budweiser, Frito~Lay, GM & others, there would be sponsored Pool on TV & a Professional Tour.
dollars and cents
From what I understand the women pay to air their events and most of the men's events that are aired, the networks own the rights too. That is why you see some old events in other sports too, the network owns the footage already so it is "free" programming, no extra cost. The networks are taking what they can get but don't seem to be spending many dollars if any. I would really like to know how Allen Hopkins is dealing with the networks but of course that is his bread and butter, can't blame him if he is closed mouthed about that information.
I believe that if pool hired a good PR person that knew the ins and outs of the television business and promotions in general to focus on getting sponsors and airtime it might work wonders. Basically we need a lobbyist for pool.
Hu
Johnnyt said:
From what I understand the women pay to air their events and most of the men's events that are aired, the networks own the rights too. That is why you see some old events in other sports too, the network owns the footage already so it is "free" programming, no extra cost. The networks are taking what they can get but don't seem to be spending many dollars if any. I would really like to know how Allen Hopkins is dealing with the networks but of course that is his bread and butter, can't blame him if he is closed mouthed about that information.
I believe that if pool hired a good PR person that knew the ins and outs of the television business and promotions in general to focus on getting sponsors and airtime it might work wonders. Basically we need a lobbyist for pool.
Hu
IMO there needs to be a legit pro tour first and then try for more TV coverage, rather than the other way around. Televised sports aren't just about athletic spectacle, it's also about the drama of competition. That's why people watch speed skating during the olympics, but nobody would watch just two guys they never heard of skating in circles. There needs to be something at stake (and not just money); for that you need organization, tradition, prestige, and other things that basically require a real pro tour.
I'm not saying the US Open or DCC don't carry prestige, but it's not the same as say golf or tennis where there are world rankings and established majors, etc.
I'm not saying the US Open or DCC don't carry prestige, but it's not the same as say golf or tennis where there are world rankings and established majors, etc.