Todd Shrupp and TVG

[Left Bank]

Shrupp just made the claim that,the reason Tampa Bay Downs is having a bad year,is because their races are not telecast live on TVG. Maybe a little,but not to the extent he is claiming. Thoughts???

[Stickhorse]

I have played more at TAM this year than any other I can ever remember.

So how far is there handle off?

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by Stickhorse

I have played more at TAM this year than any other I can ever remember.

So how far is there handle off?

About a half million a day. It's definitely a factor, but the field sizes are noticeably smaller which I'm told is a much, much bigger factor. I play every day, and my handle is no lower than it was last year regardless of whether they are showing it or not. It was nice when they did have it, but it hasn't kept me away and I don't know how many regulars are not playing just because TVG isn't carrying the signal, but I doubt that number is significant.

[Left Bank]

TVG is trying to compare it to Oaklawn this year,because they televise Oaklawn this year. The numbers were around 5 mil for Tampa,compared to approx 5.5 mil for Oaklawn.TVG attributes this to their coverage. I think they are reaching.

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by Left Bank

TVG is trying to compare it to Oaklawn this year,because they televise Oaklawn this year. The numbers were around 5 mil for Tampa,compared to approx 5.5 mil for Oaklawn.TVG attributes this to their coverage. I think they are reaching.

It's incomparable. Shrupp is just towing the company line - I'm sure they're pissed they've lost revenue do to the signal impasse, but the reality is that it most likely is not a major factor in the downturn. Andy Beyer wrote a piece a few weeks back where he pointed out a few negatives; field size, and Jamie Ness. The fact that Ness had been winning at the same percentage for years seemed to had been forgotten, and I took issue with that - but the reality is that even with the continued take out reductions, players prefer fuller fields and especially the last few weeks of the meet the lack of field size has become more evident.
I can say that as a trackside regular, the on track attendance is noticeably down, but that has been attributed to the warmer winter up north, and I can tell you for certain that whether it's the economy or the weather, the amount of winter visitors is down all over - not just the track.
The silver lining is that the majority of players that concentrate on Tampa have not gone anywhere, and the .50 P5 has been an overwhelming success thus far with regard to the 2.00 P6 it replaced.
Berube and his team do an exceptional job putting on a great competitive product, and that hasn't changed.

[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

It's incomparable. Shrupp is just towing the company line - I'm sure they're pissed they've lost revenue do to the signal impasse, but the reality is that it most likely is not a major factor in the downturn. Andy Beyer wrote a piece a few weeks back where he pointed out a few negatives; field size, and Jamie Ness. The fact that Ness had been winning at the same percentage for years seemed to had been forgotten, and I took issue with that - but the reality is that even with the continued take out reductions, players prefer fuller fields and especially the last few weeks of the meet the lack of field size has become more evident.
I can say that as a trackside regular, the on track attendance is noticeably down, but that has been attributed to the warmer winter up north, and I can tell you for certain that whether it's the economy or the weather, the amount of winter visitors is down all over - not just the track.
The silver lining is that the majority of players that concentrate on Tampa have not gone anywhere, and the .50 P5 has been an overwhelming success thus far with regard to the 2.00 P6 it replaced.
Berube and his team do an exceptional job putting on a great competitive product, and that hasn't changed.

I agree with you 100%.Like I said,I think they are seriously reaching in their estimates. Pretty soon,they will lose Keeneland too.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Left Bank

TVG is trying to compare it to Oaklawn this year,because they televise Oaklawn this year. The numbers were around 5 mil for Tampa,compared to approx 5.5 mil for Oaklawn.TVG attributes this to their coverage. I think they are reaching.

I don't think OP has handled 5.5 mil on a Saturday at any point this year. They haven't come close on any other day of the week. Oaklawn is a very weak simulcast signal.

[Alan07]

Ever since Betfair bought TVG, the network has gone downhill. Seriously, they put more effort into Turfway and Hawthorne than they do Aqueduct right now. The evening broadcasts are a joke and seem to be only a filler until Los Al starts, well if you actually want to call it racing.

It also seems like they are shoving Schrupp and Lo Duca down our throats. The other Sunday they were on for 7 hours and must be on double than the other TVG talents.

Since that time Mountaineer, Beulah, Tampa, Sam Houston, River, Evangeline, Chicago Harness, and Tampa have been removed from air.

[declansharbor]

My thoughts are that TVG is a COMPLETE joke and has become unwatchable.

The best is when they flashed up and delved into the 4x Rewards points for Oaklawn during February. Only problem is that Oaklawn racing was finished for the month. In an attempt to save face, the one mouthpiece assured viewers that TVG will be sure to have something similar for us horseplayers during the month of March.

[Stickhorse]

HRTV is much better in their mature presentation of racing. They also have all the quality Winter racing aboard.

I have no choice but to watch TVG for Del Mar and Hollypark. I do like Christina's paddock work but Todd can be annoying but we all know that.

[Left Bank]

They just posted some numbers,but I missed them.Betting Turfway,so I'll see if they post them again.

[Alabama Stakes]

definitely affected the Boston handle since no HRTV on cable

[Alan07]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

definitely affected the Boston handle since no HRTV on cable

Wasn't Boston shut out last year early in the meet due to the Suffolk despute (TS wasn't effected).

[Perrault Robbed]

The first time I ever saw a TVG broadcast gave me the immediate impression that horse racing as a serious sport had hit an all time low. Personally, it marked something of the onset of decadence for our beloved sport; something of the triumph of the gluttunous satellite approach to the game.
Years after, the few times I have taken in the broadcast during the hollywoodpark and del mar seasons strike me perhaps as even worse. The quality of the programming is slightly above something you would see from your average community college tv broadcast. I watch HRTV and I can't believe TVG continues to exist. With that said, by no means am I hailing HRTV as some outstanding horse racing program. 95% of what is slimy about our sport can be more or less uncovered by watching TVG for a day or so.

[MaTH716]

The problem with TVG has always been that you get to much (talk, crappy pick 4 tickets, garbage, etc) from the (so-called) analysts. But at least they had lots of racing to show. Now all the analyst garbage is magnified because they have less tracks than ever.

The fustrating part is that they have shown the ability to do a good job, most notably when they only have to cover one track. When they exclusively cover Hollywood or Del Mar, (depending on who's working) it can be quite informative and entertaining. Obviously it's later and there are less tracks running, so personally I don't mind the fluff coverage as much. But when there's a wide variety of tracks running, I couldn't care about their thoughts, I just want to see the races. That's always been my main beef with the network.

[Left Bank]

HRTV is not that much better,but they have all the tracks now.Anyone who hires Zoe Cadman because they think she is a good analyst needs to stand on a ledge somewhere.That accent of hers is unacceptable!! (mute button everytime) I do like Laffit and Siegel though.