INTERESTING! VERY INTERESTING!!!

Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
10 years ago
3,119 posts

I was going through all the major racing sites, as I do almost every day when time permits, and came across a report on the television ratings for the Pocono race last Sunday. What I found to be very interesting was that, for the first time this season, and the first time in quite a while, television ratings for the broadcast were UP. Not only UP, but UP 7% over last year.

Now, keep these thoughts in mind:

1. This was the first race this season without a Waltrip in the broadcast booth. Are you reading this NASCAR? Are you reading this FOX? Are you smart enough to grasp that report?

2. FOX is a major network, available in most U.S. households yet rating were in the basement, or lower, while the network carrying Pocono, and the summer series, is available only on Cable networks. Their reach, while good for a cable only network, is far below that of FOX, yet the ratings were up.

3. Many fans have commented that Pocono is one of the least exciting races on the circuit due to the huge expansive track which lends itself to runaway leaders. While I don't necessarily agree with that statement, I know many folks personally who do not watch races from Pocono.

I know I'm far up the list of those wanting the Waltrips dumped from television and this report seems to support what I've been saying. The Waltrips are detrimental to the sport of stock car racing when they are in the broadcast booth. I must say it was a pleasure to watch the race Sunday with no idiotic "grid walk", no "boogity......" stupidity, and no constant reminder of how great the D. W. one was when he raced.

So, NASCAR, FOX, wise up and be prepared to start off the 2015 season with the Waltrips out to pasture somewhere in Kentucky where the blue grass is just fine for their retirement. Doubt it will happen, but it's worth the thought.




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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.


updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
bill mcpeek
@bill-mcpeek
10 years ago
820 posts

I really like both Kyle and Wally in the booth. In my opinion and my opinion only I think Kyle is a much better announcer than driver and Wally is informative without being over bearing. I also like Ricky Craven a lot.. The worst thing on this planet is without a doubt the stupid "grid walk....."Also not agreeing with you Tim just to hear you sing happy birthday on the 16th at the HOF...lol

Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
10 years ago
3,119 posts

Bill, you can bet I will sing Happy Birthday to you. Hope someone gets it on video so it can make the site. Heck, if it makes YouTube I may be the next Justin Beiber. lol. I agree with you on Kyle, Wally and Ricky and you don't even have to sing Happy Birthday to me!




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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Sandeep Banerjee
@sandeep-banerjee
10 years ago
360 posts

Legend, as much as I'd like to attribute it to the absence of the brothers from Owensboro, I'd hazard a guess that the ratings spike was due to Jr contending for the win late in the going. That said, I find Adam Alexander so dry and boring, I'd actually take a Waltrip over him!

Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
10 years ago
3,119 posts

Sandeep, thanks for jumping in on this. I sincerely doubt it was Junior going for the win that upped the ratings because that didn't happen until like 5 laps to go. I do agree that Adam Alexander is not exactly a cheerleader for excitement but I can at least enjoy the tone of his voice.

If it ever came right down to it, I MIGHT choose a Waltrip over a root canal but that is highly unlikely. Those two are, simply stated, a disgrace to racing and to broadcasting.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.




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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
10 years ago
3,119 posts

We are preaching it, Brother Wood!!!!




--
What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Sandeep Banerjee
@sandeep-banerjee
10 years ago
360 posts

LOL Tim.. some consolation for the Waltrips that you'll choose them over a root canal atleast!

About the ratings, I'm not 100% sure but I think it doesn't matter how long people watch, just as long as they do. That's what I was told by someone on another forum when I questioned how could the ratings jump for another race a while back that stopped being mindlessly boring for all but the last 10 or so laps.

All fine here, just started to rain lately. Here it rains for only a few months in the year between June and September. Hope it's bright and sunny over Columbia.

Scott Baker
@scott-baker
10 years ago
69 posts

I don't do Waltrips anymore. I actually quit watching any of the FOX prerace shows and find myself turning off the broadcasts because of Waltrip walking all over Joy & McRenolds. With Mikey in the truck booth, I don't even turn the TV on

Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
10 years ago
3,119 posts

Exactly Scott. I listen on radio while watching a muted tv.




--
What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Scott Baker
@scott-baker
10 years ago
69 posts

Point of fact. Just put on the Truck qualifying from St. Louis. First voice I heard was Mikey. I stayed for 5 minutes as a math test. 4 minutes of Mikey's voice in 5 minutes = CLICK goes the remote

Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
10 years ago
3,119 posts

Scott, I turned it on, heard Mikey say about 10 words and it was "goodbye trucks, goodbye Camping World, and goodbye Waltrip". I thought we would get a break but nooooooooooo. Well, they can just forget it. No more Truck Races for me. Kyle Busch winning all of them and having to listen to Mikey???? I think I'll just book about 10 root canal WITHOUT the laughing gas.




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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Scott Baker
@scott-baker
10 years ago
69 posts

Tim:

06/14/14 NASCAR Camping World Truck Race

Nice evening with a breeze. Windows open. TV on.

5:40 pm Mike's voice. Goodbye FOX Sports