Versus Delivers!
by Chris...
on Jun 9, 2008 3:43 PM EDT
In the wake of news (next post) that the Versus Channel has re-upped for another five years' worth of live coverage of the Tour de France, I want to publicly say how much I appreciate this. In the past, we've had a few fora here where the reviews of their coverage hasn't been completely kind, and I'm sure we all clamor for live race coverage of other events, instead of the edited, overdue afternoon pieces. But I for one am no longer inclined to complain. They're sticking with Cycling, and I think it's great.
[UPDATE] I have confirmed with Versus: the deal is sealed!
I've had a few people email me about the network over the years, including some descriptions of the place where a small minority of executives have had to argue strenuously with the higher-ups to show Cycling at all. Well, apparently those parties have prevailed. And their latest campaign, dubbed "Take Back the Tour," shows some real marketing savvy. Not only does it make a defiant stand against the same forces that disgust committed fans, it also says to those more casual fans that the sport is worthy of another chance. I wish I could embed their promo video; if anyone has contacts there and can help with this, please email me offline.
Versus can show as little or as much live Cycling as it wants, as long as the Tour comes on my teevee every day when the feed fires up in the morning. More would be better, and as the world starts to trust Cycing again maybe the economics will be there for some of the monuments, or the worlds, to be shown live. Regardless, this is a long commitment on top of their Lance years, and I think it's time to recognize that Versus is a real partner in the sport.
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If you want to thank
Versus for the continued coverage, there is a viewer feedback email address on their site.
by Katiek on Jun 9, 2008 3:50 PM EDT 0 recs
is just feedback@versus.com.
Just wrote to them…
"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."
by Chris... on Jun 9, 2008 3:59 PM EDT 0 recs
Done.
When Leipheimer is done mating with his Time Trialing bike... does he bite its head off and eat it?
by crashdan on
Jun 9, 2008 5:26 PM EDT
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me too
however, I’ll be in Japan for the 2nd half (or 3/5) of the tour. Any idea if I’ll have a snowball’s chance of finding coverage there?
by JFS_PGH on
Jun 9, 2008 5:27 PM EDT
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Sure...
... I think they call it “Happy Two Wheeled Time Fanatic Event”...
When Leipheimer is done mating with his Time Trialing bike... does he bite its head off and eat it?
by crashdan on
Jun 9, 2008 5:30 PM EDT
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No
but the Summer Grand Sumo tournament is almost as cool. Should be in Nagoya in July I think? Don’t ask me why I know these things…
"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."
by Chris... on
Jun 9, 2008 6:22 PM EDT
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Why doesn't VS. have coverage of THAT??!?!
They used to show a two or three month delayed broadcast of the Grand Sumo tournaments on ESPN a couple of years back and I totally dug it. I even have a promotional poster for a Basho of several years ago that lists all the matches that were going to take place. If it’s for the Basho I think it was for, it shows matches for Musashimaru, Takanohana, Asashoryu and many other great non-Yokozuna level wrestlers.
JFS: If you can check a basho out I bet it would be a TOTAL blast!!!
When Leipheimer is done mating with his Time Trialing bike... does he bite its head off and eat it?
by crashdan on
Jun 9, 2008 6:43 PM EDT
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Stumbled on
sumo one night on ESPN… in complete shock. I lived over there with Drew way back when, and we were HUGE sumo fans. I missed the one basho within traveling distance (Osaka), and am still pissed. Anyway, after a month of Italophilia, I probably shouldn’t start on my Japan addiction…
"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."
by Chris... on
Jun 9, 2008 7:42 PM EDT
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Bummer about the Italophilia today...
... might be more encouraging to be a Japanese fan for the rest of today… 3-0 l’ouch!
The thing I bought is called a “banzuke” apparently… but since it’s entirely in Japanese, it could be a take out menu for all I know…
Your glorious phrase for the day (to offset the Boonen posting)...
The last day of the tournament is called senshuraku, which literally means the pleasure of a thousand autumns.
When Leipheimer is done mating with his Time Trialing bike... does he bite its head off and eat it?
by crashdan on
Jun 9, 2008 7:56 PM EDT
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Azzurri
Donadoni is an idiot. Now let us never speak of it again.
"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."
by Chris... on
Jun 9, 2008 8:03 PM EDT
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The shocking thing is the 0-0 draw earlier today...
... which means that the drubbing might not be so bad since instead of being 3 points down with -3 goal differential in group play, they are only 1 point down against both France and Romania… which after seeing those two jabrones play, Italy shouldn’t be as worried as they normally should be.
I’ll now shut up in respect to your day of mourning… here’s a blue hanky.
When Leipheimer is done mating with his Time Trialing bike... does he bite its head off and eat it?
by crashdan on
Jun 9, 2008 8:10 PM EDT
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phhhhhhtttt!!!
Thanks, I needed that.
"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."
by Chris... on
Jun 9, 2008 8:20 PM EDT
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I went to 1 day of the Nagoya Basho
One of the best days ever, both for a sporting event and for people watching.
"Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated."
by Drew... on
Jun 10, 2008 12:44 PM EDT
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ESPN always edited the hell out of the matches...
... I always wondered just what the prebout ceremony was like… How often do they face each other down, but not touch knuckles and stand up, pose, posture, toss salt and do it again…
When Leipheimer is done mating with his Time Trialing bike... does he bite its head off and eat it?
by crashdan on
Jun 10, 2008 2:12 PM EDT
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It's an all day affair
They start off with the junior classes in the morning and work their way up to the top ranked wrestlers in the late afternoon – early evening. The pre-bout ritual can last for a short or relatively long period of time, with multiple false starts, getting out of their crouches, walking out of the ring, etc. Many times they will rock forward on their knuckles like they’re getting ready to go only to rock back, stand up, leave the ring to get some salt to throw, then come back and start anew.
When they do end up charging and colliding it’s like two Brinks trucks crashing together. There is a concussive force that is totally palpable if you’re close enough to the ring. It’s both awe inspiring and little scary how quick they are off the mark and how strong they are when they start to grapple. I would love to know how much force is being exerted by the pros.
"Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated."
by Drew... on
Jun 10, 2008 3:21 PM EDT
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In the ESPN coverage...
... I loved it when one of the lower ranks (Maegashira?) upset a Yokozuna and everyone would throw their seat cushions down at the ring… it seemed so … un-Japanese!
When Leipheimer is done mating with his Time Trialing bike... does he bite its head off and eat it?
by crashdan on
Jun 10, 2008 6:19 PM EDT
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So...
... if the match lasts all day, when do you show up to watch? morning? afternoon? early evening? All day? What do you eat / drink? I wanna know!!!!!
When Leipheimer is done mating with his Time Trialing bike... does he bite its head off and eat it?
by crashdan on
Jun 10, 2008 6:20 PM EDT
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My friend and I
showed up about 6am to get tickets for the day. We got those at 8 and proceeded to the grocery store to by food and drink (which you can take in with you).
Our tickets were basically for standing room, but like any baseball game if you get there early enough you can sit wherever you want until the ticket holder boots you out. So we settled into the front row seats for the juniors and pretty much stayed there for all the matches throughout the day, gradually moving backwards as the matches got more important and the ticket holders showed up. I think we lasted in the box seats until the start of the big boys. Then it was standing wherever our vantage point was best.
We ate, drank, clapped, hooted, cheered, and paid homage for the whole day, and it was almost as much fun watching the crowd as it was the wrestlers. High school girls would break down in tears if one of their favorites lost – the drama level was off the charts :-)
"Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated."
by Drew... on
Jun 11, 2008 9:19 AM EDT
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I will now add that to the list of things to see in my lifetime...
... it will take the place formerly reserved for “Seeing a Neal Peart Drum Solo” which I’ve now done twice.
When Leipheimer is done mating with his Time Trialing bike... does he bite its head off and eat it?
by crashdan on
Jun 11, 2008 2:18 PM EDT
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promo here
I couldn’t get it in the forum, but here it is as a PC FanShot.
-Greg
by gregm on Jun 9, 2008 4:18 PM EDT 1 recs
I love the promo.
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
by nikki on
Jun 9, 2008 4:20 PM EDT
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Versus.
I had gotten a reply back from Phil last week and have already expressed to him and the commentary team how much I enjoy their coverage and commentary. I had a personal email but I can say that the emails I’ve sent to the general one have been read and a couple replied to.
I love being able to watch highlights on Versus and during the Tour, the almost 24/7 coverage totally rocks. My complaint with VS though really got started for me with last year’s Vuelta coverage. It was like a one hour recap of the 3 week GT. It was awful. I think each stage got like the last 30 seconds with mountains getting 2 minutes. I’m not complaining in trying to cause harm to them, I’m complaining to say hey, there is a fan base that is here and we want more coverage. If we don’t complain and praise (which I have done both to them via emails) to them directly, then it’s not worth the typing. I will continue to applaud them as they bring us coverage to TV and I for one enjoy that break after staring for hours at the computer. I simply dream for solid Tour like coverage for things like the classics. Live in the morning, most of the race on tv. That would be awesome.
Hands down to VS for continuing the coverage!!! I for one will be very glued to the TV the entire month of July again. It’s the only time of year that my elliptical is put smack dab in the middle of the living room as otherwise, there would be nothing accomplished. :-)
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
by nikki on Jun 9, 2008 4:38 PM EDT 0 recs
if VS expands Vuelta, Giro...
Isn’t it the case in recent years that VS resells U.S. Vuelta and Giro broadcast rights to Cycling.TV for all days except Sundays? I think I have this right. If they cover more of it, will we lose U.S. access to C.TV coverage of these events?
Anyway, with respect to Phil and Paul and crew, their commentary is not as accurate, insightful, or connected as Brian and Anthony’s. Brian is soooo freakin’ in tune with all of the riders, it’s wacky. What was the deal with Brian Smith’s coverage on a recent Giro stage? It went something like this:
1. “Rodriguez is coming up to the Contador group. Contador’s going to ask him to go on the attack.”
Ok, I’m like, wtf how do you know that, Brian? Sure, they’re both Spaniards, but they’re on different teams. What’s in it for the Spanish National Champion?
Then, a minute or two later…
2. Contador starts talking to Rodriguez.
Then, a few minutes later…
3. Rodriguez goes on the attack.
Brian’s freakin’ predicting the future. How does he know this stuff?
Or, listen to Brian in a sprint. Half the time he’s calling the winner - accurately - several hundred meters out when it just looks like a big mob. How does he do that?!? Anthony is rattling off everybody who’s up front so you know who’s in the mix, while Brian will just be repeating a single name. It’s freaky.
Meanwhile, last year during the Tour, Kirsten was sitting there on the couch screaming her head off as Phil and Paul were completely misidentifying riders—and this was when they were even bothering to talk about the race action. “It’s an attack! Shut up and tell us who it is!!! Who is it??? Did you see his number? Where did I put my startlist…!!!!” And then the VS crew gets it wrong.
I do like some of the extra footage on the ground provided by VS cameras; saw it yesterday in their Dauphiné coverage. I do like that cycling is available at all. I do appreciate that VS is making a big commitment to cycling, which is pretty daring given all of the changes that the Internet will continue to make in the way we watch video (formerly known as “television”). I do like that television is a reliable technology, and that I have the right to record it onto my computer, watch it when I want, and skip or edit out all of the commercials using inexpensive, reliable hardware and software tools. Just say “no” to the broadcast flag! I’ll be recording gigs and gigs and gigs worth of La Grande Boucle in July.
It’s too bad that C.TV has so many technical issues. It’s so freakin’ much cheaper than cable, better commentary, a couple of 20second Cannondale commercials every hour or two, live and on-demand, etc. etc. etc.
-Greg
by gregm on
Jun 9, 2008 5:24 PM EDT
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The reason Brian knows all that stuff...
... is because he’s sitting in Bruce Suomi’s living room with him watching a feed 20” ahead of all the rest of us :)
When Leipheimer is done mating with his Time Trialing bike... does he bite its head off and eat it?
by crashdan on
Jun 9, 2008 5:28 PM EDT
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Ha!
Nice one. Maybe Brian and Bruce Suomi are one and the same? Now you’ve got me wondering…
Which Italian Pro Tour Team rides the Cannondale SystemSix?
by Jimbo... on
Jun 9, 2008 5:41 PM EDT
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You had to remind me of a miscalled stage
when C finished 3rd in stage 14 of the 06 tour and they didn’t get his name right until AFTER the stage didn’t you? Okay, that did make me mad. But, this is my first year on ctv so Versus is all I had and I for one was excited as hell on Sundays and thrilled to death in July as I finally got to do more than follow live tickers of what was happening (which I now realize has nothing on live video and PdC!!!). And I have to agree I LOVE A&B on ctv! But with us getting TV coverage, I love Versus for giving it to us.
Personally I would like to see more of Frankie Andreu with commentary. I think he could add something to it.
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
by nikki on
Jun 9, 2008 5:39 PM EDT
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How about
Johann Bruyneel? he’s supposed to do commentary for week three of this year’s Tour. That will be interesting.
by ursula on
Jun 9, 2008 6:03 PM EDT
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VS/CTV
They do resell to C.TV… In my dream world, Phil and Paul could alternate with Brian and Anthony. And Vs would allow CTV to stream at the same time, with the same ads, so you’d get max audience. I don’t see the problem with streaming; anyone who has access to cable will watch on TV regardless, if only so the stream doesn’t slow down their Podium Cafe comments.
"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."
by Chris... on
Jun 9, 2008 5:46 PM EDT
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expanded giro & vuelta coverage...
you mean, like oln use to do and stopped doing 4 years ago…..
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on
Jun 9, 2008 6:03 PM EDT
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Commentary team
So, I am doing a fundraiser with Mari Holden. I think she understands some of her weaknesses as an interviewer, but I’d bet she’s appreciate some construction criticism. Any suggestions?
And, as I tell my employees, “You Suck” is not constructive. :)
by johnw on Jun 9, 2008 4:51 PM EDT 0 recs
the only substitute for doing your homework
is having someone else do it (and ideally giving them credit). I bet we’d be PUMPED to put together a list of “questions you should ask” or even “questions you should ask if [fill in the blank] wins.”
by JFS_PGH on
Jun 9, 2008 5:33 PM EDT
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Not my intention to do her work for her. And I didn’t mention this to her beforehand. Just thought I’d ask. But, I did think along the lines you did. “What if we could put together a list of questions that WE’D like to have asked”
Let me bring this up with her and see if she’s Interested.
I think a big problem is the time. I think she gets very little time, and then it probably gets edited down. Even Frankie didn’t get much post-race time. He mostly did filler, and then got a question or two post-race.
by johnw on
Jun 9, 2008 5:37 PM EDT
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A Toast to VS. Three times Three!
Beautiful news. Absolutely beautiful news.
1. I’m so happy that they have the courage to put their money on the line for a sport that is unjustifiably obscure in the United States.
2. I applaud the marketing campaign whole heartedly. That has more balls than twenty years of Hank Williams Jr. “Are you ready for some football” lead-ins combined. It expresses more passion in 20 seconds than any World Series game ever broadcast by Fox.
3. OLN / VS. is the only avenue for people like me to become a fan of the sport. It’s that inkling, the page 6 headline that says “American Team Wins First Stage of Italy’s Largest Bike Race” that captures a handful of people that start to wonder, as I did, what is this all about… who are these people? VS. is the only realistic avenue into being a fan, and I’m grateful that they not only were around, but will continue to be around.
4. I love the commentary team with the exception of Al Trautwig who I find tolerable, but that’s personal opinion and it counts for naught. My only serious objection would arise if they hired John “Mancrush” Eustice from the Philly week coverage. Mr. Liggett is responsible for the structure of my VDS team so, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now without him! I’m in the top 100 Baby! Booyashakah!
When Leipheimer is done mating with his Time Trialing bike... does he bite its head off and eat it?
by crashdan on Jun 9, 2008 5:18 PM EDT 0 recs
I'll give you that...
There are worse commentators than the VS team, that’s for dang sure. Ugh, the clowns on wcsn.com calling a sprint: “here come the riders! here come the riders! here come the riders!” at the top of their lungs. Sooo useless.
-Greg
by gregm on
Jun 9, 2008 5:26 PM EDT
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