RE: Pay per view: PH Blog
Discussion
I know I may be unpopular for saying this but I'm going to anyway - I did send a message to this effect directly to PH last week but haven't had a reply as yet.
My point is this - PH forums have a no promotion policy in that posters are not allowed to promote their business - the terms and conditions state "Post or transmit any advertising, promotional materials, or other forms of solicitation including chain letters or pyramid schemes".
On that basis, please can someone explain to me how Chris Harris gets to promote his business (one which is outside of PH as far as I can tell, and quite probably outside Haymarket too) via a blog which gets prominence on the front page, and then allows him to post in the thread to promote the business further.
I understand that Chris Harris is a bit of a draw for some PH members, but surely if this is a commercial enterprise for him he should pay for an advert on PH just like any other organisation. If not, surely any other business could be offered the same facility - although I do hope that doesn't happen as it would destroy everything here.
Anyway, maybe I am in a minority, but it doesn't seem quite right to me.
My point is this - PH forums have a no promotion policy in that posters are not allowed to promote their business - the terms and conditions state "Post or transmit any advertising, promotional materials, or other forms of solicitation including chain letters or pyramid schemes".
On that basis, please can someone explain to me how Chris Harris gets to promote his business (one which is outside of PH as far as I can tell, and quite probably outside Haymarket too) via a blog which gets prominence on the front page, and then allows him to post in the thread to promote the business further.
I understand that Chris Harris is a bit of a draw for some PH members, but surely if this is a commercial enterprise for him he should pay for an advert on PH just like any other organisation. If not, surely any other business could be offered the same facility - although I do hope that doesn't happen as it would destroy everything here.
Anyway, maybe I am in a minority, but it doesn't seem quite right to me.
Lowtimer said:
Because PH has decided that he can. None of us knows the business relationship between PH and DRIVE but there clearly is one. PH as a business is entitled to promote anything it chooses to promote. Their gaff, their rules.
Of course they are. But if it is a one rule for us, one rule for them principle it isn't very good business practice.My thought is that when PH were promoting free to watch videos then it was fine - after all there are plenty of time for coffee/tea links to videos, many of which are in YouTube and all of which are free to watch although they may be monetised for the video owner. Now it is promoting something which has to be paid for and is clearly a business venture it is a different sort of thing altogether, in fact, to quote CH, it is a whole new thing.
And, as my post probably suggests, it doesn't sit very comfortably with me.
And, as my post probably suggests, it doesn't sit very comfortably with me.
SpeedBall said:
True, it's peanuts. I like CH's videos, plus I like Autocar's, Petrolicious's, XCar's, Jay Leno's, Motor Trend's, evo's and Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars videos too. So what happens if they all start asking for £25/year to view their content?
And was Chris's LaFerrari review really any better than (or even as good as) evo's or Autocar's? I'm guessing the people who paid for it also buy bottled water.
Evo put videos up for one reason and one reason only. To promote the mag. They don't do it to give back or because they are amazing people... They do it to promote the mag. And was Chris's LaFerrari review really any better than (or even as good as) evo's or Autocar's? I'm guessing the people who paid for it also buy bottled water.
Most appalled people seem to be missing the fact that there will be shorter drive videos for free. So you'll still get some content.... And you will be able to watch it for free. Magic.
Personally I think paytv has revolutionised the industry and produced amazing content that couldn't be funded via other means. I look forward to the same being true online.
20 years ago if you wanted car content you paid for it. The free thing is very recent and as many others have said it's not actually free. It's a loss leader.
I'm just about to read my evo ipad app and it's far far far better than any of the free online alternatives.
Edited by Lazydonkey on Tuesday 5th August 06:33
thegreenhell said:
theangrybaboon said:
Hello all, and, yes, I did sign up just to comment on this...
Excellent first post, sir. It pretty much nailed the situation as I see it. 
The whole subscription model it only works if the provider has unique product, and much as I like Monkeys drifting, it is not unique enough to get my 25 quid
tomjol said:
Wonderful cars, and Joe Rogan to boot. Excellent.
What's next?
That SharkWerks 4.1 was reviewed by Leno (amongst others) earlier in the year. And I'd pay good money to avoid a video featuring Joe Rogan. I'm guessing he, like the majority of the videos on DRIVE+, is there to appeal to American viewers...What's next?
It does seem that most of the dissenters aren't doing DRIVEs content justice. The channel has never been just "/CH On Cars" mucking about! The other high quality content the team has pumped out is amazing.
I've subscribed because I want to see more of the brilliant long format stories, along with the awesome variety of the other shows.
A few examples of the shows people must be missing out on:
/Tuned
One of my favourite parts of the PH forums is Readers Cars. Matt (love or hate him) brings "build threads" life, showing the passion and effort involved in a fascinating way.
The Panama videos were amazing, and really trumped TopGear's "adventures".
/Big Muscle
Tall tales from interesting characters, showing off their creative talents.
Beautiful track-spec Corvettes? Tractor-powered rat rod? 1000hp+ daily drivers? Anything goes!
/Shakedown
Seriously in-depth motorsports analysis from the one and only Leo. I liked these clips, although I'd skip the US-only stuff.
I'd recommend watching the "Behind the Scenes at Laguna Seca" video. Very cool to see how motorsport broadcasting works.
After/Drive
They had some interesting sessions, with podcast-style rambling humour. Good for a casual listen while spannering in the garage or cleaning the house.
/Inside {x}
Loved this series! Inside quattro is one of my all-time favourites. The kind of detail is rarely presented elsewhere.
/My Life as a Rallyist
This was a one off, low budget and amatuerish. Which made it great! A true grass-roots motorsport experience. The interview with up-and-coming Kiwi rally ace Hayden Paddon was a nice extra too.
I've subscribed because I want to see more of the brilliant long format stories, along with the awesome variety of the other shows.
A few examples of the shows people must be missing out on:
/Tuned
One of my favourite parts of the PH forums is Readers Cars. Matt (love or hate him) brings "build threads" life, showing the passion and effort involved in a fascinating way.
The Panama videos were amazing, and really trumped TopGear's "adventures".
/Big Muscle
Tall tales from interesting characters, showing off their creative talents.
Beautiful track-spec Corvettes? Tractor-powered rat rod? 1000hp+ daily drivers? Anything goes!
/Shakedown
Seriously in-depth motorsports analysis from the one and only Leo. I liked these clips, although I'd skip the US-only stuff.
I'd recommend watching the "Behind the Scenes at Laguna Seca" video. Very cool to see how motorsport broadcasting works.
After/Drive
They had some interesting sessions, with podcast-style rambling humour. Good for a casual listen while spannering in the garage or cleaning the house.
/Inside {x}
Loved this series! Inside quattro is one of my all-time favourites. The kind of detail is rarely presented elsewhere.
/My Life as a Rallyist
This was a one off, low budget and amatuerish. Which made it great! A true grass-roots motorsport experience. The interview with up-and-coming Kiwi rally ace Hayden Paddon was a nice extra too.
I like Drives content - but I've always preferred Jay Leno's personality and enthusiasm. Jays Leno's Garage https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMELFlXQL38KPm8k...
2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWMjR3r-nsI&fe...
Don't worry it's not all American muscle.
2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWMjR3r-nsI&fe...
Don't worry it's not all American muscle.
Disappointing but I guess inevitable.
I do enjoy the Chris Harris videos but not sure I'd want to pay for them - one to think about. I've never been a fan of the rest of the Drive guys though if I'm honest which makes me think I won't end up paying out.
In the mean time I'm really enjoying Mighty Car Mods on YouTube. So much content, and they support the channel via other means - selling content on DVD, t-shirts, and one of the guys in it writes (and sells) all the music he produces via iTunes. Seems to work for them as they've been going since 2008 and the content is even better than ever.
They have great chemistry, the video's are well shot, the technical videos are interesting.. it's an awesome channel.
I do enjoy the Chris Harris videos but not sure I'd want to pay for them - one to think about. I've never been a fan of the rest of the Drive guys though if I'm honest which makes me think I won't end up paying out.
In the mean time I'm really enjoying Mighty Car Mods on YouTube. So much content, and they support the channel via other means - selling content on DVD, t-shirts, and one of the guys in it writes (and sells) all the music he produces via iTunes. Seems to work for them as they've been going since 2008 and the content is even better than ever.
They have great chemistry, the video's are well shot, the technical videos are interesting.. it's an awesome channel.
A message for the international viewers who can't subscribe to Drive+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VFhWtWJVS4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VFhWtWJVS4
SpeedBall said:
I've always been a fan of Chris's videos, but agree that channels such as Autocar, Petrolicious, evo, Jay Leno's Garage, Motor Trend and Comedians in Cars etc seem to get by pretty well without asking for money. I don't mind the makers shoehorning a product placement into their videos (as Seinfeld does), and am surprised that nobody is prepared to do this seeing as CNBC can (presumably - as I've never had the channel) attract companies to pay for commercials while DRIVE is on there.
Also, I only watch Chris's videos, so this would be like me paying the BBC licence fee just because I like one show on the channel. Murdoch has been able to make paywalls work, so who knows how DRIVE will get on. I do know that each time there's a new Top Gear show that a lot of Americans on forums/Twitter etc appear to be able to view it online on the same night - for nothing.
+1, but best of luck Chris.Also, I only watch Chris's videos, so this would be like me paying the BBC licence fee just because I like one show on the channel. Murdoch has been able to make paywalls work, so who knows how DRIVE will get on. I do know that each time there's a new Top Gear show that a lot of Americans on forums/Twitter etc appear to be able to view it online on the same night - for nothing.
Seeing how much crap ends up on terrestrial tv, surely a YT channel with proven size of subscription would allow you to pilot a TV show of your own ? I would watch your TV shows and put up with Ads
Edited by T4NG0 on Tuesday 5th August 22:00
The question I have to Chris is: how much did it cost to shoot the GT86 vs 370z vs Cayman S video? Isn't that piece more representative of what the viewers want and precisely what you should be making as opposed to the other million+ hit videos that cost 9k to shoot?
Also, do you NEED to hire a circuit just for sideways shenanigans? You can still share your insight by driving on the road or attending track days.
Also, do you NEED to hire a circuit just for sideways shenanigans? You can still share your insight by driving on the road or attending track days.
SpeedBall said:
That SharkWerks 4.1 was reviewed by Leno (amongst others) earlier in the year. And I'd pay good money to avoid a video featuring Joe Rogan. I'm guessing he, like the majority of the videos on DRIVE+, is there to appeal to American viewers...
I'd pay good money to avoid a video featuring Jay Leno.There have been two "real" videos on the channel so far. That's a great basis for making assumptions.
I had no idea the cost of Chris's excellent videos has been subsidised for the last 2-ish years. THAT is the reason why we have been able to enjoy such great, original content. Everyone knows good content doesn't come cheap, however the very idea of paying for digital content upsets me greatly! But what do you know I have just subscribed for a year. Chris YOU made this happen!
But my renewal 12 months from now depends wholly on: REGULAR release of continually great videos, shot well, good production, high quality audio, same enthusiam levels, on cars I will probably never get to drive.
And maybe keeping the Yank muscle cars to a minimum.....
But my renewal 12 months from now depends wholly on: REGULAR release of continually great videos, shot well, good production, high quality audio, same enthusiam levels, on cars I will probably never get to drive.
And maybe keeping the Yank muscle cars to a minimum.....
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