Comments on: ABC vs Versus

By: jrm111881

jrm111881 — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:42:46 +0000

Ummm, in paragraph 6, when youre talking about Page being sent to the ESPN doghouse to cover other sports, you seem to mention the NHRA with some disdain (correct me if Im wrong), as if the NHRA is as unpopular as the hot dog eating contest. Though I have not seen any numbers from last year or this year, there for a while in the mid to late 2000′s, the NHRA was beating Indycar racing in ratings and poularity. In fact, around 2007 or 2008, the NHRA was second only to NASCAR in racing popularity and tv ratings. Now, while I agree that Paul Page getting moved from Indy telecasts to NHRA is like a demotion, I dont think we should just check off the NHRA as a needless sport…

By: Fox

Fox — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:14:21 +0000

VERSUS coverage of the IndyCar series is awesome. They’re essentially presenting IndyCar the way NASCAR gets presented by its myriad of tv partners. Lets pull no punches, how ESPN treated IndyCar was a joke. ESPN treated ChampCar even worse. But at the same time I understand that ESPN is in NASCAR’s camp which explains why they ignore and disrespect open wheel racing as much as they do. Hell, ESPN still acts as if Formula One doesn’t exist. Why? Because ESPN has no tv contract with F1. That’s how ESPN works. ESPN is the most self-congratulatory media entity around. Simply put, stop watching ESPN. Besides, ESPN these days is more about sports tabloid journalism than serious sports reporting.

By: John McLallen

John McLallen — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:24:11 +0000

I am right with you about the wonderful, first class IndyCar coverage that VS. has provided. VS. is obviously a channel that is in a growth mode and the IRL couldn’t have a better partner, in my opinion. I am also impressed with the Mixed Martial Arts matches that are broadcasted on VS. People will find VS. and it will be very interesting to see VS. become what I think will be a top sports channel.

By: pressdog

pressdog — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:19:04 +0000

Very well done. From my perspective, Todd Harris was a comedic material Godsend. One factor we need to consider is the slide of IndyCar’s appeal to viewers meant it didn’t make a ton of economic sense for ABC to put the big dogs on the show. So the IRL’s declining product appeal has something to do with this whole topic.

By: James

James — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:33:06 +0000

I must admit that the Versus production value is far greater than what I had hoped for. Too bad ABC is such a miserable failure with their IndyCar coverage.

By: Roy Hobbson

Roy Hobbson — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:45:08 +0000

Brilliantly written, George. I’d prefer more libelous beatdowns of Arute, of course — but this will do quite nicely.