Memorial live broadcast coverage

[blang11]

This thread could have gone in the "Events" category but I think this one gets more attention so...

Has everyone checked out the information regarding coverage of the Memorial? For anyone who watched the internet broadcast of the USDGC this year, I think you'll find that this lay out is going to have some changes. I'm pleased that a lot of thought seems to have gone into this second attempt at bringing live content to the viewing masses. Check out the proposed layout here:

http://www.pdga.com/support-internet-coverage

The biggest changes that I took note of are (A) $9.99 viewing fee, and (B) more focused coverage. Thoughts? I'm pretty sure I'm going to pay to watch. I'm excited to see them deliver the goods.

[snap7times]

just pay the dang 9.99... i was extremely dissapointed with the numbers of paid versus free registered viewers for the USDGC. And plus anyone who registers gets a chance to win free stuff... but has to have 2500 viewers or more... dooo itttttt... ;)

[runnaman]

I registered. Hoping to win the lessons from Avery, Val, and Nate. How awesome would that be?

[sk8architecture]

I'm pumped..A few of us are ditching work for a viewing party up in Bham. Pizza, Beer, and some live coverage should be interesting

[DMajor]

Make sure you sign up by February 5th. It may make or break the whole webcast

"Live Internet broadcasting of The Memorial Championship presented by Discraft is ready to go, but only if we get 2000 subscribers in the next 10 days. "

[ChUcK]

The USDGC coverage was miserable. Now they want money. Also, it costs 20 bucks. The 9.99 thing is for a limited time.

I recommend not supporting this endeavor. If the PDGA gets the notion that it can ding its members for this on a regular basis, then you'll forever pay for it.

Unwillingness to pay to watch crappy Memorial coverage does not make one cheap, either. I don't have to pay a per-event fee to watch football. Advertisement revenues take care of that.

So, if you want to encourage the PDGA to look inward for funding (members' pockets) instead of outward (advertising dollars) then by all means, support it.

"But ChUcK, disc golf isn't big enough for outside companies to take an interest in advertising!"

True. Nor is it big enough to charge Pay-Per-View fees like UFC.

[TreeLove]

The USDGC coverage was miserable.

Ever tried to cover sports live? Chuck, you normally post such rational thoughts, but this time you are way off. $10 was cheap, a steal. Want to know how much it will cost NBC to cover the 2010 Olympics? Well, they're not saying, but the rights alone will cost them $800 million.

I think they did an outstanding job considering they had an approximate budget of say, zero? Sounds like you are spoiled by the eye candy that only millions of advertising dollars could ever hope to pay for...

Sure, the production values were not Universal Studios quality, but I don't think you have a clue what it takes to produce a live sports broadcast. I was delighted with the product, considering the price, and no advertisements to sit through! Plus, Billy Crump is a crackup!

[runnaman]

Plus, Billy Crump is a crackup!

Yeah he is, and I agree that $9.99 is not bad to support disc golf. Even if it is crappy coverage, I would probably pay anyway just for the fact that it's live.

But to each his own.

I can't wait to watch it before running my first tournament.

Chase

[ChUcK]

Gawain, I broke my next post down into a series of quoted arguments, just so we all know that I'm wearing my business socks.

Ever tried to cover sports live?
No, and you probably haven't either. The fact that I can't build a rocketship to the sun doesn't mean I can't recognize a bad idea.

$10 was cheap, a steal.
A steal, but from which side of the transaction?



Want to know how much it will cost NBC to cover the 2010 Olympics? Well, they're not saying, but the rights alone will cost them $800 million.
I suppose it is possible that NBC bought the rights for 2010 coverage in order to operate at a loss, but I doubt it. They tend to operate at profit.

I think they did an outstanding job considering they had an approximate budget of say, zero? Sounds like you are spoiled by the eye candy that only millions of advertising dollars could ever hope to pay for...
Yes, I am. We all are. BUT I'm not going to walk out of a free Ruth's Chris and make a beeline to pay 10 bucks for a McDonald's double crapburger.

Sure, the production values were not Universal Studios quality, but I don't think you have a clue what it takes to produce a live sports broadcast. I was delighted with the product, considering the price, and no advertisements to sit through! Plus, Billy Crump is a crackup!

I wish the entire event was a Crump-a-thon. I love listening to him talk about disc golf, just like baseball fans loved listening to Harry Caray. Give me 10 years in the live sports production arena and I'll tell you what it takes to produce quality stuff. You first, though.

[ChUcK]

Yikes, I didn't mean to insult Harry Caray like that. I guess a better analogy would be Madden?

Now I can't decide. Whose style does Billy Crump remind you of most?

[snap7times]

The USDGC coverage was miserable. Now they want money. Also, it costs 20 bucks. The 9.99 thing is for a limited time.

I recommend not supporting this endeavor. If the PDGA gets the notion that it can ding its members for this on a regular basis, then you'll forever pay for it.

Unwillingness to pay to watch crappy Memorial coverage does not make one cheap, either. I don't have to pay a per-event fee to watch football. Advertisement revenues take care of that.

So, if you want to encourage the PDGA to look inward for funding (members' pockets) instead of outward (advertising dollars) then by all means, support it.

"But ChUcK, disc golf isn't big enough for outside companies to take an interest in advertising!"

True. Nor is it big enough to charge Pay-Per-View fees like UFC.

You dont pay to watch football, bs, you pay your cable company dont you? Advisters sponsor specific slots on tv based on viewers that are predicted to watch whatever is on tv. How is pdga going to sell advertisements when it can't get over 10 thousand viewers world wide for the usdgc? Support is support nevertheless where the support comes from, as long as a common goal is in place, getting disc golf more exposure and towards mainstream, anyone who tries to be a one man crusade against part of whole process goal is a crab of society and can either leave or see how they are holding back the whole and change...

Picking on part of a whole will not improve anything or help anything associated with it.

The only way to reach a successful goal is through hard work and investment...

[Matt B.]

Make sure you sign up by February 5th. It may make or break the whole webcast

"Live Internet broadcasting of The Memorial Championship presented by Discraft is ready to go, but only if we get 2000 subscribers in the next 10 days. "

Never going to happen.

[ChUcK]

You dont pay to watch football, bs, you pay your cable company dont you?

Paying a monthly cable fee is pretty much the same as paying a monthly internet service fee. Not a good argument. Besides, I don't pay any cable company anything- I go watch football at a buddy's house, at a bar, whatever. You're talking about incidental costs that cancel. The only amount that doesn't cancel is this 10-20 dollar per-event fee.

I don't know how to answer the rest of what you wrote, it doesn't really make 100% sense. Oh well. Snap, sometimes you come off as a social robot. You should consider trading in your cable TV contract for a library card.

[runnaman]

At least for me, I know the reason I'm paying to watch the Memorial is because:

1) I enjoy watching Disc Golf
2) I want to do whatever I can to support the growth of the sport.

and it doesn't hurt that they are offering some pretty cool raffle prizes.

[RonTheWhip]

Holy Cow. I'm going to be at the Memorial and still paid the 10 bucks to help fund this thing. If anyone out there pays for the service and is dissapointed by the coverage I'll personally refund your money. But please, for the love of disc, help get his thing off the ground!

D

[snap7times]

Paying a monthly cable fee is pretty much the same as paying a monthly internet service fee. Not a good argument. Besides, I don't pay any cable company anything- I go watch football at a buddy's house, at a bar, whatever. You're talking about incidental costs that cancel. The only amount that doesn't cancel is this 10-20 dollar per-event fee.

I don't know how to answer the rest of what you wrote, it doesn't really make 100% sense. Oh well. Snap, sometimes you come off as a social robot. You should consider trading in your cable TV contract for a library card.

ahh sorry I have to break it down to your level.. forgot not everyone is capable of higher thinking and stepping out of their emotional cage and evaluating each situation to see the big picture in everything instead of selfish thinking and disregarding how to make the best out of anything.
As for the social robot, better than appearing to be a crab, don't know what that means, do some digging on the internet, the bill you do apparently pay for... ;)

Point of the first post was; hush up, support the sport you love and help it grow instead of thinking things should be done this way or that way, because you ain't the one doing it...

[Ol' Bob]

I see our newest "member" is Carl Hungus. We can imagine what comes next. Maybe ChUcK will get him to hook up a little pirated cable.
http://knol.google.com/k/-/-/2btetwad2hs37/zg6z2l/hungus.jpg

[Parks]

Point of the first post was; hush up, support the sport you love and help it grow instead of thinking things should be done this way or that way, because you ain't the one doing it...

This certainly begs the question: is paying 10 bucks for Internet coverage of the Memorial supporting the sport we love and helping it grow?

[RonTheWhip]

Yes

[Toby Puttzinski]

Text "Haiti" to 90999 to support Red Cross relief efforts... $10 well spent to help those who really need it. Snap, for the price of just two Double Tall, nonfat, soy, no foam, two splendas, sugar free Carmel Machiattos, with room, at Starbucks you could make a difference in a child's life... if you want to take up a cause, maybe you should sponsor a child through 'Save the Children'. I'll pay the $10 because I'm interested, not because I think it's a good cause, just a fringe benefit that it'd help dg's progression. Perhaps the PDGA should have included the viewing privileges as an optional cost in players' membership. I imagine a large percentage of current members would have opted to pay the extra $10.

[Parks]

Yes

Explain.

[ChUcK]

Paying this money for live Memorial coverage is not helping grow the sport. It may even be retarding the growth, but I can't prove it at the moment. That will have to come with 20/20 hindsight.

Disc Golf has it backwards. I can go spectate at any tournament I please free of charge, but I have to pay for half-assed video coverage. What's the best way to witness disc golf? Via horrible-quality live internet feed, or being there in the park watching the action go down?

I realize that most events are held at facilities that make charging admission fees relatively impossible, but I would not balk at throwing an honor-system 10 bucks at a TD in order to spectate at an event. I had a fabulous time at last year's Jet Wash Open watching Brody rip Seatac apart.

If the PDGA wants to grow the sport by way of live internet video, then they need to continue to provide it free to the public and get off their asses to secure actual funding instead of dipping into the cookie jar and gouging the viewers. If they need numbers to prove the worthiness of potential sponsor investment, keep track of the hits/views/registration data for the live coverage.

I'd like to see the number of viewers for the '09 USDGC versus the numbers that will come from this scheme. It will be less for the Memorial, and that data will scare advertisers away, not attract them. This is not growing the sport.

Anytime someone tells you to "hush up and do it" there should be alarm bells going off. That usually tells me that the person doesn't really have my best interests in mind, they just want company for their misery.

Interesting side note: The BSF crew busts their asses to successfully secure all sorts of sponsorship dough. Perhaps we should consider a PDGA coup in which we run Doctor Deusler out of office and install Phillips and Mittl in his place.

[Tim]

Let's not forget that the Vibram Open offered a live video feed last year, with poor ol' Billy about to have a heart attack trying to keep up with the action. Sure, the video was choppy, and the camerawork a bit on the amateur side, but it was entertaining to watch, and it was free. I didn't see any of the USDGC coverage, but about the best I heard anyone say about it was "meh...it had potential," most people though, just said it was lame.

I'll be at work while the Memorial is going on, so I won't be watching this. Even if I weren't, I doubt I'd pay for it. I would pay $20 for a DVD if it were decently done though. Asking viewers to donate money in order to judge interest seems a bit like charging higher entry fees in order to advertise a higher purse. If they wanted go gauge interest levels, I'd rather see them post decent Youtube videos with commentary, and just follow the viewership trends there.

I'd have a lot more faith in Steve Dodge's marketing ideas than Duesler's.

[LegoRules]

Yay I am playing in this on the the am side, but I just signed up so I can watch it when I get home. Plus my hubby who will not be there will be able to watch the action too :)

Cindy :)

[DMajor]

I thought the USDGC coverage was highly entertaining. It was low budget and all but that was the first time I have seen alot of those really really good golfers play. I don't know how anyone who spends hours upon hours trying to improve at this game doesn't realize how much you can learn from watching those guys compete even on a crappy interent feed

[snap7times]

Paying this money for live Memorial coverage is not helping grow the sport. It may even be retarding the growth, but I can't prove it at the moment. That will have to come with 20/20 hindsight.

Disc Golf has it backwards. I can go spectate at any tournament I please free of charge, but I have to pay for half-assed video coverage. What's the best way to witness disc golf? Via horrible-quality live internet feed, or being there in the park watching the action go down?

I realize that most events are held at facilities that make charging admission fees relatively impossible, but I would not balk at throwing an honor-system 10 bucks at a TD in order to spectate at an event. I had a fabulous time at last year's Jet Wash Open watching Brody rip Seatac apart.

If the PDGA wants to grow the sport by way of live internet video, then they need to continue to provide it free to the public and get off their asses to secure actual funding instead of dipping into the cookie jar and gouging the viewers. If they need numbers to prove the worthiness of potential sponsor investment, keep track of the hits/views/registration data for the live coverage.

I'd like to see the number of viewers for the '09 USDGC versus the numbers that will come from this scheme. It will be less for the Memorial, and that data will scare advertisers away, not attract them. This is not growing the sport.

Anytime someone tells you to "hush up and do it" there should be alarm bells going off. That usually tells me that the person doesn't really have my best interests in mind, they just want company for their misery.

Interesting side note: The BSF crew busts their asses to successfully secure all sorts of sponsorship dough. Perhaps we should consider a PDGA coup in which we run Doctor Deusler out of office and install Phillips and Mittl in his place.

Then by all means, fly down to phoenix and watch it for free then. No one is stopping you on that one.

Comparing BSF to PDGA officers and employees is apples and oranges. BSF is one tournament, easy to focus on one tournament with the strong support of the community who doesn't condemn their attempts to provide a top notch tournament nation wide. I hope that there is some sort of video or internet idea put in place for the BSF....

Anyone wanna watch the memorial but cannot afford the $10, let me know, I'll gladly give you my access while I'm playing...

[Ol' Bob]

Years ago, the same thing happened to me at the NY Times site. I had had my cookies disabled and my first registering attempt failed. I then okayed cookies for that site and tried again. But I was locked out after that. I don't figger I ever missed much with them, though.

[runnaman]

I signed up for the USDGC and then for the memorial just fine. I think you might have to purchase the Memorial coverage and then link it to your account. Not sure.

[ChUcK]

Then by all means, fly down to phoenix and watch it for free then. No one is stopping you on that one.

Comparing BSF to PDGA officers and employees is apples and oranges. BSF is one tournament, easy to focus on one tournament with the strong support of the community who doesn't condemn their attempts to provide a top notch tournament nation wide. I hope that there is some sort of video or internet idea put in place for the BSF....

Anyone wanna watch the memorial but cannot afford the $10, let me know, I'll gladly give you my access while I'm playing...

Man, if I was in the area I would definitely be there. I have grandparents who live in Tempe, and a coordinated visit some year would be cool.

Whatever fruit you designate as representing the BSF crew, then that's the fresh produce I want in charge of the PDGA.

I thought you wanted everyone to pitch in their buck-o-five? Now you're ripping the PDGA off by giving out your access? That's backwards, dude. You should instead offer to pay for additional Memorial coverage for anyone who can't afford it.

[ChUcK]

It appears they extended the $9.99 price (1/2 off) from Feb 5th to Feb 24th. Looks like they can't get enough people to sign up. Why is that, I wonder...

I see that 1/3 of the live broadcast will be of amateurs. Fabulous. I understand why, I just think it makes the deal even more sour.

[TreeLove]

I personally wouldn't sign up in advance, not knowing if I will be available to watch. I am a day-of type of guy when it comes to this, but if I am available, I will gladly pay and watch.

[snap7times]

of course give the ams a chance to shine on tv... which will probably be shots of me parking drives or going swimming... hmmm...

[Chuck Kennedy]

If the "swimming" is on the courses, we might also see you being hauled off by the park cops. :)

(going in the water not allowed at either course plus it's hazardous at Fountain)

[OneDarkRebel]

I'm not understanding why there's a big hooplahh about this being a paid to watch event...had there not been a "paid to watch" event for the USDGC no one would have been able to really "feel" the event and see what everything was about...I enjoyed the coverage, was glued to it, and appreciated the efforts that were put in by everyone who made it happen. This is another level of progression within our sport. If we all didn't want to get better at our respective facets of the sport then it would be stagnant. Looking to progress from a 950 rated round to a 1000 rated round is the same as the media progression of people "hearing" about a tourney to actually seeing the tourney. Let's stop criticizing and start supporting...after all, when's the last time you heard someone being criticized for progressing any sport except here. I know we'd all give anything to see disc golf televised on ESPN Ocho and if it were, we'd all pay the extra on our cable bills to view it, so why not pay the extra and support it now!

[snap7times]

If the "swimming" is on the courses, we might also see you being hauled off by the park cops. :)

(going in the water not allowed at either course plus it's hazardous at Fountain)

meant my discs... but okay...

[DiscGolfOregon3]

I'm not understanding why there's a big hooplahh about this being a paid to watch event...had there not been a "paid to watch" event for the USDGC no one would have been able to really "feel" the event and see what everything was about...I enjoyed the coverage, was glued to it, and appreciated the efforts that were put in by everyone who made it happen. This is another level of progression within our sport. If we all didn't want to get better at our respective facets of the sport then it would be stagnant. Looking to progress from a 950 rated round to a 1000 rated round is the same as the media progression of people "hearing" about a tourney to actually seeing the tourney. Let's stop criticizing and start supporting...after all, when's the last time you heard someone being criticized for progressing any sport except here. I know we'd all give anything to see disc golf televised on ESPN Ocho and if it were, we'd all pay the extra on our cable bills to view it, so why not pay the extra and support it now!


Very well put, as usual :wink2: Andy, you are a great ambassador of the sport; keep it up, man . . . you're appreciated :trophy:

I am stoked to watch the event and would have paid double . . . just to support the cause. If it sounds to spendy, invite a couple dgers over to watch as much as they want as long as they help flip the bill. :chinscratch:

-Derek :cool:
new DGO.com up soon

[ChUcK]

Umm, there was not a "paid to watch" (I think you mean pay-per-view?) event at USDGC. That was free, and I could barely make myself watch for twenty minutes. Hole 17 at Winthrop is pretty cool, especially with the hay bales set up, but not cool enough to watch endlessly.

I think we're all just upset because we have to have this argument at all. I certainly wish disc golf was big enough already, that live Memorial coverage would be a given on whatever TV channel was rich/savvy enough to buy the broadcasting rights.

The demographic is not big enough yet. Help DG fix that, and then attack the live coverage issues. This Memorial debacle is more of of a quick thrill than a true investment.

[Ol' Bob]

When the broadcasts get interrupted every ten minutes for an erectile dysfunction pill commercial, we will know we've arrived.

[snap7times]

When the broadcasts get interrupted every ten minutes for an erectile dysfunction pill commercial, we will know we've arrived.

why is that? you the spokesperson? :yay:

[Ol' Bob]

No, that would be Flomax.

[snap7times]

can't wait for the day to come! If everyone gets on board, might get there faster ;)

[OneDarkRebel]

Very well put, as usual :wink2: Andy, you are a great ambassador of the sport; keep it up, man . . . you're appreciated :trophy:

I am stoked to watch the event and would have paid double . . . just to support the cause. If it sounds to spendy, invite a couple dgers over to watch as much as they want as long as they help flip the bill. :chinscratch:

-Derek :cool:
new DGO.com up soon

Thanks for the sentiment Derek, however this is Marcus Crespi out of Bend, OR. And I am constantly working to become a better ambassador of the sport and hope to represent well at The Memorial!

[DiscGolfOregon3]

Thanks for the sentiment Derek, however this is Marcus Crespi out of Bend, OR. And I am constantly working to become a better ambassador of the sport and hope to represent well at The Memorial!


Laugh . . . good work, man. I had just finished reading a post from Dexterhawk in another thread before reading yours, and forgot somehow that I was reading something new . . . funny stuff :slapface:

-Derek :cool:
new DGO.com up soon

[Chuck Kennedy]

FYI - The PDGA is not funding the live Memorial coverage effort at all. It's totally the efforts of Duesler (who is a PDGA contractor, not employee) and his associates at DiscGolfPlanet.tv and Todocast. The PDGA supports the effort by allowing them access to send emails to PDGA members and posting info on the PDGA website but that's it.

[mazza]

i've been watching brandon parsons (hope i spelled that right) on the live broadcast. and they have been talking him up like mad..." i can't belive how big of an arm this kid has"...."heres big arm brandon up to tee".... great job guys keep up the good work...ryan and heath hang in there...theres more golf to come

[Tim]

I'm not watching, but following the live scoring. Barry's a no show today...I hear he broke his hand. And Val hurt her knee before the tourney. :shocked: What a rough beginning of the season!

[GettinBetter]

Yeah they are all over Brandons nuts. They have been mostly following his group the whole time!

[mazza]

i know...he must be hella happy to get that much web time

[mazza]

yeah val was funny.. i joking ask her for a tip...her answer....not to hurt your knee before the first nt of the year...and yeah berry broke his hand

[Cold Steel]

I'm not watching, but following the live scoring. Barry's a no show today...I hear he broke his hand. And Val hurt her knee before the tourney. :shocked: What a rough beginning of the season!

Barry was in the pre-round group photo, so it must have happened today I would think.

[Bullseye]

yeah val was funny.. i joking ask her for a tip...her answer....not to hurt your knee before the first nt of the year...and yeah berry broke his hand


Rumor has it he hurt his hand punching a hole in the wall of a gas station restroom when he heard the Beaver State Fling was sold out already.

[Flash]

Rumor has it he hurt his hand punching a hole in the wall of a gas station restroom when he heard the Beaver State Fling was sold out already.

Why are you lying Jeff, I told you what happened and you start spreading this rumor mill crap!!!!!!

[Bullseye]

Why are you lying Jeff, I told you what happened and you start spreading this rumor mill crap!!!!!!

Because the furor died down. Duh.

[ChUcK]

Someone on the PDGA boards said Barry punched his mini on hole 1, presumably while it was on the ground.

[Bullseye]

Someone on the PDGA boards said Barry punched his mini on hole 1, presumably while it was on the ground.

My theory was way cooler.

[NWDiscer]

My theory was way cooler.



:yay::rockon: :laughing:

:cheers:

[Chuck Kennedy]

He punched his metal mini on hole 18 yesterday when his 30-ft putt hit the basket and rolled back to him. Apparently he showed up this morning for the photo with a swollen hand but didn't start.

[ChUcK]

That spells D-O-H.

[Cold Steel]

Anthon just shot a 13 down to take the lead. Didn't he shoot something like a 16 or 17 down one round at USDGC?

[runnaman]

How about Avery shooting -9 on the back 9. Pretty sweet.

[Chuck Kennedy]

Anthon just shot a 13 down to take the lead. Didn't he shoot something like a 16 or 17 down one round at USDGC?
It was a 14 down since it was par 55.

[Cold Steel]

It was a 14 down since it was par 55.

Sorry- math ain't my thing.
What about USDGC though- didn't he shred the last round there last year? I was there, I should remember.

[Chuck Kennedy]

You can always look it up on the PDGA schedule page.