Sky Sports

[Beowulf]

Silver Sash was it not in the 2nd Division ? Regarding the Golden Helmet when I first started watching in 1968, it was against the top scoring rider, Olsen would ride like his life depended on it! But the years I'm talking about Collins & Crump, it was the best of 3 rides home & away. If there was a tie it would go to a neutral track. A rider would be chosen monthly as the challenger & if I remember correctly it was sponsored by MCN

 

Example from Speedway Researcher:-

 

Hackney v Swindon Friday 19th April 1968 (British League)

Silver Sash: Bengt Jansson (ch) beat Barry Briggs (h)

[OveFundinFan]

Any help to anyone? http://www.speedwaychampions.com/br-match-race-champs.php

[Beowulf]

Any help to anyone? http://www.speedwaychampions.com/br-match-race-champs.php

 

Yes ! Thank you.

[flagrag]

I have been meaning to reply to this thread for a few days even when as far as getting the stats from the insight team. But have been very busy at work with a couple of projects and a couple of technical hurdles thrown in by FOM in preparation for the new season look out for the UHD coverage it is very impressive.

 

Anyway in 2016 over the whole season the average viewership for EL Speedway on Sky was 84,650 with unsurprisingly the play offs being a lot higher than that with peaks of 109,000 for the first leg of semi finals.

 

The finals did even better pushing close to 116,000 these figures are very good considering the size of support at tracks and proves there are lots of armchair fans watching too.

 

Speedway does perform very well when considered against other sports and regularly gets higher figures than Pro 12 Rugby,Superleague and some Cricket coverage

 

 

One of the problems for Speedway future on TV this is on both Sky & BT is that advertisers are not keen to purchase space during Speedway coverage, most ads shown are just inserted as part of a bigger package which financially makes it difficult to balance the rights & broadcast costs against revenue incoming.

 

Another interesting fact is that Speedway viewers do a lot of time shifted viewing they tend to keep meetings stored on their boxes for quite a long period of time and then watch them back sometimes months later.

 

As is quite common knowledge now this financial year there has had to be some cutbacks made on outside broadcasts due to increases in purchasing broadcast rights. Some of these examples can be seen on PL darts coverage where two cameras have been changed for robotics remote cameras which in my opinion are still not at the level as beingbale to replace a manned camera and also on Superleague the amount of cameras being used and also the amount of graphics that can be used.

[BurntFaceMan]

But no atmosphere at all, and if we all took that attitude there would be no speedway to watch .

 

The atmosphere is fantastic! With my family, in the warm, having a drink and a burger without having to shell out another £10 each.

 

Without the few spectators remaining there wouldn't be any speedway on Sky. What ya gonna do then smart arse?

 

Without people watching it on Sky there wouldn't be any speedway on Sky. Not sure if your familiar with how television programming works but you generally need viewers to warrant broadcasting something. Smart arse.

 

if everybody had you attitude the only speedway we will be watching is speedway gold

 

No, they wouldn't. Sky would have more viewers, therefore Sky would generate more advertising revenue, therefore the sport would receive a higher contribution from Sky. Additionally, the increased exposure on national television would increase sponsorship opportunities for the clubs and drive even more revenue into the sport.

 

I don't know why some people have so much trouble understanding the concept of commercial television coverage. It's not like Sky are covering every match, is it? They cover a tiny fraction of the fixtures staged each season. Fans aren't staying away all year just because Sky cover a few matches. They are staying away because it's expensive and, to be honest, of a very poor standard.

Edited February 12, 2017 by BurntFaceMan

[New era Panthers]

 

The atmosphere is fantastic! With my family, in the warm, having a drink and a burger without having to shell out another £10 each.

 

 

Without people watching it on Sky there wouldn't be any speedway on Sky. Not sure if your familiar with how television programming works but you generally need viewers to warrant broadcasting something. Smart arse.

 

 

No, they wouldn't. Sky would have more viewers, therefore Sky would generate more advertising revenue, therefore the sport would receive a higher contribution from Sky. Additionally, the increased exposure on national television would increase sponsorship opportunities for the clubs and drive even more revenue into the sport.

 

I don't know why some people have so much trouble understanding the concept of commercial television coverage. It's not like Sky are covering every match, is it? They cover a tiny fraction of the fixtures staged each season. Fans aren't staying away all year just because Sky cover a few matches. They are staying away because it's expensive and, to be honest, of a very poor standard.

You actually think it will prosper with no supporters , no riders , no promoters and no stadiums , your having a laugh you must come from planet janet , or maybe you should see your doctor and get your tablets changed.

[CookieIpswich]

Speedway need both sets of supporters both tv viewers and attendees to prosper so no need to want to hang vice versa.

[Agrotron]

So are Sky in or out whats the deal?

[jeffster]

Yes but this was at a neutral track after a tie at Newport & Hyde Road

 

Yes, I believe you are correct.

 

Phil Crump certainly rode in the Golden Helmet, an indicidual match race series in the Gulf Oil British League, when riding for the Eastville based "Bristol Bulldogs".

 

When a series was tied 1 - 1 after a leg at each of the contesting rider's home track, a neutral venue was used to decide the outcome.

 

Yes, I believe you are correct.

 

Phil Crump certainly rode in the Golden Helmet, an indicidual match race series in the Gulf Oil British League, when riding for the Eastville based "Bristol Bulldogs".

 

When a series was tied 1 - 1 after a leg at each of the contesting rider's home track, a neutral venue was used to decide the outcome.

 

http://www.speedwaychampions.com/br-match-race-champs.php

 

The above website provides info about the Golden Helmet, Silver Helmet, Bronze Helmet and Silver Sash (The Silver Sash was last held in 1964)

[OveFundinFan]

 

Yes, I believe you are correct.

 

Phil Crump certainly rode in the Golden Helmet, an indicidual match race series in the Gulf Oil British League, when riding for the Eastville based "Bristol Bulldogs".

 

When a series was tied 1 - 1 after a leg at each of the contesting rider's home track, a neutral venue was used to decide the outcome.

 

http://www.speedwaychampions.com/br-match-race-champs.php

 

The above website provides info about the Golden Helmet, Silver Helmet, Bronze Helmet and Silver Sash (The Silver Sash was last held in 1964)

 

See post #84

[Beowulf]

 

The atmosphere is fantastic! With my family, in the warm, having a drink and a burger without having to shell out another £10 each.

 

 

Without people watching it on Sky there wouldn't be any speedway on Sky. Not sure if your familiar with how television programming works but you generally need viewers to warrant broadcasting something. Smart arse.

 

 

No, they wouldn't. Sky would have more viewers, therefore Sky would generate more advertising revenue, therefore the sport would receive a higher contribution from Sky. Additionally, the increased exposure on national television would increase sponsorship opportunities for the clubs and drive even more revenue into the sport.

 

I don't know why some people have so much trouble understanding the concept of commercial television coverage. It's not like Sky are covering every match, is it? They cover a tiny fraction of the fixtures staged each season. Fans aren't staying away all year just because Sky cover a few matches. They are staying away because it's expensive and, to be honest, of a very poor standard.

 

Then why the hell are you watching it ?

[Shadders]

Without people watching it on Sky there wouldn't be any speedway on Sky. Not sure if your familiar with how television programming works but you generally need viewers to warrant broadcasting something. Smart arse.

 

In an attempt at point scoring you've missed the point entirely... Bravo

Edited February 13, 2017 by Shads

[BurntFaceMan]

In an attempt at point scoring you've missed the point entirely... Bravo

 

The point wasn't missed at all. In fact you, and all the people who liked your post, completely missed my point. Speedway needs Sky far more than Sky needs speedway. In fact, Sky doesn't need speedway at all. Speedway is all but insignificant to Sky. If Sky had to pull the plug on Speedway it would be little more than a programming inconvenience.

 

If it wasn't for people staying in and watching Sky, the sport would lose it's television coverage. If it loses it's television coverage, it loses even more commercially appeal for sponsors.

 

Why do you think speedway bends over backwards to accommodate Sky? If Sky were to pull their coverage of speedway, it would be the final nail in the coffin for any sort of top flight speedway. You'd be left with nothing but a bunch of die hard nutters watching inexperienced Brits scrap it out for £25 a head. I know some of you would be quite happy with that, but you can kiss your magical speedway atmosphere goodbye when there's only a handful of you at the track.

 

Just so you know, you're a customer. It's not a charity. You're not obligated to pay through the nose for low quality product. It isn't your duty to fund the sport. It is the job of the promoters to put out a product that attracts the supporters. In fact it is the die hards that are constantly making excuses for the shocking quality of the sport that are driving it into the ground.

[CookieIpswich]

British Speedway could generate more income from losing Sky but the sport is run by old fogies who are not open to progression until the final nail is all but hammered in

[Haza]

7000 is fine for free if you get food and beverage takings but which club does?

Kings Lynn

[SCB]

Didn't Lakeside get 7000 in to the stadium one night when they did a 'freebie'?

 

How many of those paid full price the meeting after?

 

I suggest admission price does make a big difference when deciding what to spend your 'leisure time disposable income' on...

 

And charging circa £40 (or more), for a family of four (without the obligatory food and drink) is asking a lot if you expect many to take you up on that deal...

Something I have always thought I'd do if I ever found myself owning a speedway club is meeting 1 of the season would be free entry with people able to drop donations into a bucket as they come in and left. Speedway fans are a weird bunch that I think most would pay the going rate but if it got a load of newbies along and you broke even (or even made a profit) form it then you could do it the next week and the week after. Massive risk initially but you might find a nice price point, some people would be happy paying £15 but other would only pay £1 or even nothing but think of the extra programmes you'd sell and the extra merchandise. Then when you have got half way through the season with big crowds and a great atmosphere more people will want to come and more people = more to sell to spornsors.

 

I'd probably go bust by week 3 as people wouldn't pay but would be an interesting experiment. But some clubs out there with crowds of 300-400 would only 3-4k if NOBODY paid. If you can't afford to absorb a 4k loss why are you running a business?

[Pipeslice]

 

The point wasn't missed at all. In fact you, and all the people who liked your post, completely missed my point. Speedway needs Sky far more than Sky needs speedway. In fact, Sky doesn't need speedway at all. Speedway is all but insignificant to Sky. If Sky had to pull the plug on Speedway it would be little more than a programming inconvenience.

 

If it wasn't for people staying in and watching Sky, the sport would lose it's television coverage. If it loses it's television coverage, it loses even more commercially appeal for sponsors.

 

Why do you think speedway bends over backwards to accommodate Sky? If Sky were to pull their coverage of speedway, it would be the final nail in the coffin for any sort of top flight speedway. You'd be left with nothing but a bunch of die hard nutters watching inexperienced Brits scrap it out for £25 a head. I know some of you would be quite happy with that, but you can kiss your magical speedway atmosphere goodbye when there's only a handful of you at the track.

 

Just so you know, you're a customer. It's not a charity. You're not obligated to pay through the nose for low quality product. It isn't your duty to fund the sport. It is the job of the promoters to put out a product that attracts the supporters. In fact it is the die hards that are constantly making excuses for the shocking quality of the sport that are driving it into the ground.

Edited February 14, 2017 by Pipeslice

[mikebv]

Something I have always thought I'd do if I ever found myself owning a speedway club is meeting 1 of the season would be free entry with people able to drop donations into a bucket as they come in and left. Speedway fans are a weird bunch that I think most would pay the going rate but if it got a load of newbies along and you broke even (or even made a profit) form it then you could do it the next week and the week after. Massive risk initially but you might find a nice price point, some people would be happy paying £15 but other would only pay £1 or even nothing but think of the extra programmes you'd sell and the extra merchandise. Then when you have got half way through the season with big crowds and a great atmosphere more people will want to come and more people = more to sell to spornsors.

 

I'd probably go bust by week 3 as people wouldn't pay but would be an interesting experiment. But some clubs out there with crowds of 300-400 would only 3-4k if NOBODY paid. If you can't afford to absorb a 4k loss why are you running a business?

I have always thought promoters miss an opportunity to run the first meeting as a 'freebie'...

 

Budgeting your season with one less meetings income surely wouldn't make or break the season?

 

And regardless, you could still, as you describe make a good few quid through donations..

 

You could even run a few 'free entry all season' tickets in a raffle...

 

If you could get 3000-4000 in I am sure you could get a good few grand through this...

 

The first meeting of a new season gives you months of marketing time in the lead up to truly make the event known to the local populace..

 

Capture email addresses, mobile numbers etc on the night and you have a large database to target further marketing and offers..

 

Maybe, also dispense with season tickets (which restrict adhoc offers) and flog 'multi meeting' tickets to those in attendance on the night, eg two for £25, three for £35 etc etc. Bringing upfront cash flow in to offset any gaps between home fixtures...

 

As we know, a big crowd brings atmosphere, Speedway needs to market itself as a 'big crowd sport' to bring self perpetuating success. So anyway it can deliver that big crowd should be explored..

Edited February 14, 2017 by mikebv

[foamfence]

British Speedway could generate more income from losing Sky but the sport is run by old fogies who are not open to progression until the final nail is all but hammered in

Then again, it might not and end up as a Sunday afternoon amateur sport. There are some new promoters coming into the sport and a new chairman who seems to be putting a lot of effort in.

[OveFundinFan]

Some good points there from SCB and mikebv

 

Perhaps BV should try it at their first meeting this year.