Status of show? (ATRAB)
 

I heard that the show might be cancelled down the line at least there was an indication of that, on the latest show. ne body know ne news thanks

Aaron

Aaron, please re-read your post as if you were anybody else on visting this website and tell me if you would know what the hell this post means.

What show?

Good question Bigs! I looked at that post a couple of times and was confused. I thought it was just too early but on review it looked like it may have occurred just after last call.

Morty's Girls Auditions??????

Aaron is refering to ATRAB... and there are some developments that I should address here. The show's current contract ends today as it happens, and Sirius cannot commit to a new full one year deal right now. With the pending Sirius-XM merger being formalized sometime in the near future, they don't know how their scheduling is going to work out once they absorb the XM programming which includes a handful of XM channels JUST for major league baseball...

They are however, happy to let us continue on a month-by-month basis with no guarantees for how things shake out down the road. JJ Graci is not going to continue with it on that basis though, and is in the process of creating an exciting new Internet-based sports/racing broadcasting network that he is going to launch soon.

"At the Races" continues though, and I'll do my best to keep building on what we've done, hoping that once the Sirius-XM merger is completed they will want to commit to a new deal.

Wow..that's aweful...like a good friend was just diagnosed with a possible terminal illness. Steve , is there anything we can do to support the show on Sirius? The way you rise to a cause I detect you're looking elsewhere as well or not?

Spyder

Steve,

I hope Sirius/XM does the right thing!

Good luck,

Rick

Good Luck Steve! ATRAB Rocks! I hope it continues. I for one have learned more from the show AND this forum in the past few months, than in the last 20 years of playing the horses. Byk is the best!

Steve....let us know if bombarding them with email pleas, etc. will help.

Good luck!

The Sirius/XM merger could drag out for quite some time and still has the possibility of not happening.

I would hope Sirius does the right thing and offers a new contract.

Good luck with it Steve and if there is anything us listeners can do, please let us know. We appreciate you staying on with the month to month situation.

Steve,

We certainly apprreciate and sincerely ejoy all of your hard work here and on ATRAB. If there is anything your supporters can do to be of assistance, please let us know.

Thanks,

Pat

I love the show as you know, and it's one of my main reasons for having Sirius. Best of luck to JJ in his future endeavors. I know you will do your best to keep the show rolling as it seems to have reached a point where the top horsemen are very interested in getting involved.

Having the all-baseball stations will be nice, but that's a lot of 'dead air' space from 11 pm till 7 pm every day. Sounds like a programming opportunity to me.

Are with all of the above posts Steve. If you need up to send e-mails, let us know.

Are you kidding?!!!
 

ATRAB is the ONLY reason I have Sirius - I didn't get it for that reason but now that I have Sirius ATRAB is just about the only thing I listen to. I commute 1 hour to work each day, I catch the 5 - 6 pm on the ride home and then the 6-7 on the replay the next morning on the way to work. Without ATRAB my commute will return to being close to unbearable!!!

Steve, let us know if there is something we can do to advocate for a slot with the new company. While I enjoy listening to JJ and will certainly take a peek at his broadcast network, it would not be the same without you. Not to sound like too much of a groupie or a stalker, but I'll try to follow you wherever you go (virtually, of course!! )

Thats bad news, its a good show and good for racing,

that being said, and I am sure Graci is a nice person but I dont think he does a good job on the show as far as interviewing and keeping a constant flow.

good luck though

I've listened to a couple of the other weekend shows a few times. There's no comparison. Steve and his program are the best of the group. And it's not even close.

What you don't hearing a half hour of harness and international racing on a Triple Crown Day from 10am-noon on Down the Stretch?

That show is a joke. Professional as heck, but way off base as to what the horse player/fan wants to hear on the day of a Triple Crown Race - which for the first half hour the first two legs has been trotters. No lie. I think they might actually open every show with this.

And I understand paying the bills and I'm sure there is some tie to advertising, but come on. You have to at least pretend to care about your audience just a little bit. And the trotters is usually followed up with some sort of taped piece - never any real handicapping/racing "discussion" like you get on ATTAB.

Steve/JJ's show is superior in every single way and it would be a shame to see it go away.

The whole reason I got Sirius was for ATRAB (I despise Howard Stern -- never listened to him, never ever, not once) and this was way before I even knew this site existed. Ditto on the email campaign idea, if it will help. Sorry to hear about JJ's departure -- I'll sure miss his inimitable style.

Nothing a few phony phone calls can't fix. Maybe have morty on as a guest from time to time, kinda like Gilbert Gottfried on the Stern show.

BTW
 

I didnt make that comment at last call I wont be able to drink legally till a week from tomorrow.

I just didnt know if the show was still on for good or not.

Channel 198 I presume Bruce.....

It's Time For ATRAB To Think Outside The Box
 

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/images/editor/menupop.gif


As the show contemplates it's future a lesson may be learned from the changes that have taken place at ESPN over the last few years and the family of channels it uses to serve the unquenchable sports appetite.

There has been a revolution at the four letter in regards to "credentials" for on air personalties that have made shows like "Pardon the Interruption", "Around the Horn", "Cold PIzza" big time TV!!.....all the anchors or stars of these shows are SPORTS WRITERS.!!!!! The retiring jock is out the writers are in.

Steve Byk is a SPORTS WRITER for Bloodhorse and other publications that happens to be on the radio.

Tony K and Mike Wilbon have never played anything beyond high school. There popularity is enormous because they are well spoken, affable writers who have taken PERSONALITY as sold it through their ability to write.

Is anyone a more engaging affable ethical people person than Steve Byk??

This all started on Sunday mornings when a group of rotating sportswriters created a show called the sportsreporters with Gammons,Ryan,Schaap and Lupica to name a few showed us that entertainment from people taking about sports would sell.

If ESPN can give us everything from Bass Fishing to Ultimate Fighting, Bowling and Spelling Bee's there is certainly a chance for ATRAB to survive and likely prosper on ESPN and it's many channel choices.

Because ATRAB get's the people at the top of the game to appear daily especially during the bigger days in racing each year, it is a natural that Byk's smiling mug appear on TV to bring the rebirth of the sport to the masses because he is a born communicator that could make the project successful at a time TV is starving for new ideas.

If hockey and spelling bee's are prime time choices for these producers all it would take is an audience with the Pope's of the 4 letter to get ATRAB solidly entrenched in our viewing culture.

Sounds good.

I imagine it takes a lot of time and resources to do the ATRAB show. If the show continues on as it has, that's fine. If it finds a new home, that's ok too. If something else happens, I'm sure Steve will do wonderfully well at whatever he chooses to do.

ESPN would be lucky to get him.

Steve,

If Sirius does not pick you up when the whole Sirius / XM things is done with than I know of at least one cancellation of their service. I usually catch some of the show on my ride home and the balance on my way to work the next morning. SOmetimes I get the last hour twice but that is OK, it is usually entertaining.

I immensely enjoy the show and your insights into the game. I truly look forward meeting you either Saturday at the Belmont or at the Carolina Grill in Saratoga this summer. I have been listening to the show since I stumbled upon it late last fall, in fact it is the ONLY reason I still subscribe to Sirius.

I will miss JJ and his "insiders" perspective but lets face it, it is the Bykster that makes the show. Keep up the good work for as long as you care to, knowing that we stand behind you.

Like everyone one else said just let us know if there is anything we can do to support you with the "suits" at Sirius.

HH

Steve rules
 

I have to say..with Steve at the helm the show is working just fine..nothing against JJ.

Keep it up Steve if you can...but don't end up like Lady Secret at Saratoga.

That one. A couple others. Mostly on Sat am's if I'm stuck in the office.

Uns08,

No offense was meant----I didn't hear the portion of the show where they discussed the contract. I'm sorry if I offended you. It was not my intent,just a futile attempt at humor.

Tom

Honestly, if I am working and remember, I'll listen to or watch anything horse racing related.

I remember and miss the shows in Chicago with Connaughton and Super Jock. I realy miss the replays in Detroit on Ch 62 which came on right after Big City News. Then again I miss being 30 years younger.

Randy Moss is very good. But he does what, 22 minutes a week? ATRAB's doing 15 hours.

Steve is the best I've seen or heard. Notwithstanding his admission of not being aware that Maryland My Maryland is based on the German carol O Tannebaum.

damm the only reason i started with sirius was because of the show. so if e-mails and calling help. let us know.
atrab is the best horse show on radio.:( :eek:

This news sucks, love this show. JJ and Steve have done a wonderful job. My hour commute will not be the same. I always listen on my IPOD downloaded from ITunes. I'm new to the game, and have also learned more about the horses from ATRAB. So is JJ gone to Brazil for good?

Thanks..
 

Cannot begin to tell everyone how much I appreciate their very generous, supportive comments and compliments.

Gus (Bogey) suggested me to the show, and I was provided a great opportunity by JJ and Samm 18 months ago. I thank them endlesslessly for their dedication, and will do my utmost to continue things.

Show is not going anywhere immediately..

show has never been better..lets face it.. the "load was to heavy" for some..dont sell your self short steve, ..YOUR A TREMENDOUS..SLOUCH...LOL


DO YOUR THING BYK....NO ONE CAN DO WHAT YOU DO LIKE YOU DO...

Steve, I want to thank you publicly for giving me some credit, but the truth be told, it's obvious you deserve your own show. You have a special talent as a broadcaster and are simply one of the best handicappers in the country. I know you will do everything within your power to make sure the contract gets extended. If not, I'm sure they won't be able to keep you down for too long.

As you know, I started with JJ and Samm back in 2004 with ATRAB. Personally, it's sad to see that JJ is not going to be on the show any longer. I consider JJ and Samm close personal friends and believe me they will end up on their feet. There fighters and will be successful in their new endeavours. Also, I would like to thank John Perrotta (one of the most knowledgable people in the horse racing industry). He's well respect all over the world and never brags about his accomplishments. Truly a unique individual.

It's been a pleasure being on the air with you and I look forward to handicapping races and giving selections on future shows. I'm glad there are plenty of supporters and members that realize how much time and effort you put towards the greatest game in the world. If hard work pays off, like it should, there is no doubt you will hit the big time soon.

Wishing you continued success, Gus

I imagine Suffolk Girl and I commute some of the same roads day to day and I couldn't agree more. The ride home is much more bearable with the ATRAB broadcast running. Nothing can really make commutes on 128, the Mass Pike, Rt 3 etc up here in Massachusetts managable, but ATRAB gets damn close!

FWIW I've had Sirius since Christmas 2004, pre Howard Stern, and I've found over the years they are VERY customer saavy and an old fashioned letter (email) writing campaign or a well placed phone call can go a long way with them, especially over time. Still being somewhat of a new company, they know they are beholden to their customer base.

Doesn't mean our words would be worth a velvet painting of a whale having sex with dolphin (C) Ricky Bobby :rolleyes: but it would certainly make the case for a spot on the combined XM/Sirius company down the line, more realistic.

Reading between the lines that Steve has not suggested a write in campaign is that perhaps he has the other plans in the works. If that's not the case, maybe I'm as good reading blogs as the racing form.

If it is the case Steve, we all support you almost as much as Sumwon.

Having said all that, it really and I mean really makes it nice on Sirius as like many others I'm trapped in my car for endless hours where your show may have been responsible for saving my life as by 6 pm I'm about to fall asleep driving home and you keep me awake.

Spyder

Spyder, I was wondering the same thing....( tricky byk) however, I added another radio for my sister to my account this weekend and let the customer service rep know that I expected ATRAB to continue once the merger with XM is worked out - with 800 or so baseball channels I know they can squeeze in at least one daily horseracing show.

And Suffolk Shippers - it is a Melrose to Waltham commute every day, mind numbing except for ATRAB

Just a side mention, but a very nice re-cap of Saturday's main event by Steve on the homepage. :)

listener support
 

Steve, as a long time listener I too think the show has been vastly improved and I commute 1hr 30 every day and have Sirrus mainly for this show.. Please shout out, both here and on the show if the listeners can help!