Discussion
As above, Dorna is ultra ultra protective of the clips/highlights/series being behind a paywall. Yet this is where you can encourage more people to view the action and then potentially lure them behind the paywall.
They act like potential fans will pay up front, most won't. Free to air isn't part of how LM operate nor any major sporting series any more, unfortunately, so that won't change, but engaging new fans is key.
They act like potential fans will pay up front, most won't. Free to air isn't part of how LM operate nor any major sporting series any more, unfortunately, so that won't change, but engaging new fans is key.
I don't object to paying for something I enjoy watching, £6-ish a round for for or five races each round is quite reasonable, but I wouldn't pay much more. Ticket prices for some of the rounds are already pretty steep, enough to make me think twice about attending.
But I'm pretty relaxed, I already weighed up stopping viewing during the processional and predictable first half of last season, if it becomes poor value I'll cancel my subscription and won't attend races, or buy merchandise. The sport only succeeds if someone watches it, doesn't have to be me.
I notice Liberty's CEO first announcement speaks of 'growing fanbase improving monetisation", which is what investors will want to hear. Fans want to hear how they'll affect the sport but that goes unaddressed.
But I'm pretty relaxed, I already weighed up stopping viewing during the processional and predictable first half of last season, if it becomes poor value I'll cancel my subscription and won't attend races, or buy merchandise. The sport only succeeds if someone watches it, doesn't have to be me.
I notice Liberty's CEO first announcement speaks of 'growing fanbase improving monetisation", which is what investors will want to hear. Fans want to hear how they'll affect the sport but that goes unaddressed.
Johno said:
As above, Dorna is ultra ultra protective of the clips/highlights/series being behind a paywall. Yet this is where you can encourage more people to view the action and then potentially lure them behind the paywall.
They act like potential fans will pay up front, most won't. Free to air isn't part of how LM operate nor any major sporting series any more, unfortunately, so that won't change, but engaging new fans is key.
While they don't do FTA broadcasting of the races, Liberty puts waaaaaaaay more content on YouTube, highlights of FP sessions, qualifying, races, any big moments etc. Heaps more than Dorna does with MotoGP. My udnerstanding is that they allow independent content creators to use much more footage as well. That's definitely something that will get people engaged with it. F1TV much cheaper than VideoPass as well.They act like potential fans will pay up front, most won't. Free to air isn't part of how LM operate nor any major sporting series any more, unfortunately, so that won't change, but engaging new fans is key.
Turn7 said:
Be interesting to see if it sells. It didn't sell when offered for a similar estimate by Bonhams last year, and they have some pretty big collectors as contacts and it's arguably a tougher market now.Cool thing though.
egor110 said:
The catch 22 is how do you grow the fanbase when it's hidden behind a paywall ?
They need it free to air for a year to hook new fans then get it back pay per view.
They'll try and do this by making more of the off-race 'drama' I fear. There will no doubt be Netflix crews all over the place, and spin off shows behind the scenes.They need it free to air for a year to hook new fans then get it back pay per view.
I'm not wholly against the idea of Liberty, it'll be interesting to see how it goes. Feels a bit like it needs a shake up imho.
I think/hope it will be good for the series. I don't follow F1, haven't watched it for decades, but it is more popular than ever which I can only put down to LM and their input/marketing.
Dorna made a right mess of trying to emulate F1 on Amazon a year or two ago, so if anything I hope we would see something like this to keep fans interested.
My only concerns are around ticket prices for the real fans, some circuits are already charging an extortionate amount and bums on seats numbers are pretty low, others - Le Mans spring to mind was packed to the rafters last year, if the ticket price increases they'll see numbers fall and at some point some circuits may well say no to hosting if they're going to lose $$$.
Likewise, and already mentioned, I am sure LM will want to host more US rounds which I have no issue with personally, but at the sacrifice of what?
Finally, I like the current coverage offered, but I fear for making it too "Merican with some daft commentary, riders being used like puppets etc.
Dorna made a right mess of trying to emulate F1 on Amazon a year or two ago, so if anything I hope we would see something like this to keep fans interested.
My only concerns are around ticket prices for the real fans, some circuits are already charging an extortionate amount and bums on seats numbers are pretty low, others - Le Mans spring to mind was packed to the rafters last year, if the ticket price increases they'll see numbers fall and at some point some circuits may well say no to hosting if they're going to lose $$$.
Likewise, and already mentioned, I am sure LM will want to host more US rounds which I have no issue with personally, but at the sacrifice of what?
Finally, I like the current coverage offered, but I fear for making it too "Merican with some daft commentary, riders being used like puppets etc.
I think we'll see some of the European rounds go. Nobody will really miss Valencia tbh, and does Aragon get many fans (even if I'd rather we dropped Jerez than there personally - huge crowds but the layout doesn't produce good racing).
I can also see Mugello or Misano going: the bikes are getting too fast for Mugello and tickets there are silly money. Misano isn't near Florence so less good for social media and celebs. However the government like it as it's always the week after the Italian schools go back and gets the resorts another week's income. Portimao was early this year, probably for similar reasons!
The problem Liberty will have is that a lot of new F1 destinations are street circuits. These are easy for fans but not easy to make safe for MotoGP.
As we discussed a few weeks ago, there's not many suitable tracks in USA (no, not Laguna Seca) either.
I can also see Mugello or Misano going: the bikes are getting too fast for Mugello and tickets there are silly money. Misano isn't near Florence so less good for social media and celebs. However the government like it as it's always the week after the Italian schools go back and gets the resorts another week's income. Portimao was early this year, probably for similar reasons!
The problem Liberty will have is that a lot of new F1 destinations are street circuits. These are easy for fans but not easy to make safe for MotoGP.
As we discussed a few weeks ago, there's not many suitable tracks in USA (no, not Laguna Seca) either.
2ndclasscitizen said:
While they don't do FTA broadcasting of the races, Liberty puts waaaaaaaay more content on YouTube, highlights of FP sessions, qualifying, races, any big moments etc. Heaps more than Dorna does with MotoGP. My udnerstanding is that they allow independent content creators to use much more footage as well. That's definitely something that will get people engaged with it. F1TV much cheaper than VideoPass as well.
Yeah, Donna doesn't let the teams use official footage for their own promotional purposes. OK to hire a circuit to shoot some videos if you're RedBull or HRC, bit harder for Moto3 teams. Dorna needed new input 5-10+ years ago. They ran out of ideas and didn't seem to know how to turn it into a 'World' chanpionship again, after too many years as almost a Spanish series........The years of top US, Australian & Japanese riders as well as Europeans seems ages ago.
They rode the wave of Rossi mania, and didn't have a succession plan; Marquez was never going to be that rider.......
Like too many non F1 series, MotoGP was never as big as they thought it was......
They rode the wave of Rossi mania, and didn't have a succession plan; Marquez was never going to be that rider.......
Like too many non F1 series, MotoGP was never as big as they thought it was......
Stan the Bat said:
dukeboy749r said:
Turn7 said:
Not an F1 fan personally, so have mixed feelings that a US entertainment company (Liberty Media) has motorcycle racing’s premiere competition ‘best interests’ at heart. Bang goes my enjoyment of MotoGP then after this season, when Liberty put it behind a paywall....which they will do.
aeropilot said:
Stan the Bat said:
dukeboy749r said:
Turn7 said:
Not an F1 fan personally, so have mixed feelings that a US entertainment company (Liberty Media) has motorcycle racing’s premiere competition ‘best interests’ at heart. Bang goes my enjoyment of MotoGP then after this season, when Liberty put it behind a paywall....which they will do.
ajprice said:
aeropilot said:
Stan the Bat said:
dukeboy749r said:
Turn7 said:
Not an F1 fan personally, so have mixed feelings that a US entertainment company (Liberty Media) has motorcycle racing’s premiere competition ‘best interests’ at heart. Bang goes my enjoyment of MotoGP then after this season, when Liberty put it behind a paywall....which they will do.
Liberty won't be doing that.
aeropilot said:
ajprice said:
aeropilot said:
Stan the Bat said:
dukeboy749r said:
Turn7 said:
Not an F1 fan personally, so have mixed feelings that a US entertainment company (Liberty Media) has motorcycle racing’s premiere competition ‘best interests’ at heart. Bang goes my enjoyment of MotoGP then after this season, when Liberty put it behind a paywall....which they will do.
Liberty won't be doing that.
Worked out at pennies over £10 a month for Videopass this year, for 21 rounds that's decent value. Some of the rounds are €150 for a decent grandstand ticket, for three days and four or five races, I've no gripes with any of that.
Make it £30 a month and I won't watch it, same with attendance if they all go €300 a seat. Some of the most expensive rounds this year are almost sold out, so increasing demand definitely won't make things cheaper. Poor news for people who have spent 40/50+ years following, and supporting, the sport.
Make it £30 a month and I won't watch it, same with attendance if they all go €300 a seat. Some of the most expensive rounds this year are almost sold out, so increasing demand definitely won't make things cheaper. Poor news for people who have spent 40/50+ years following, and supporting, the sport.
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