DCM on TV?

G-Money

As the thread title suggests. Will there be live coverage of the Dublin City Marathon on TV?

devotional1993

This race should be live on tv. With the amount of money they spend on reality shows and other crap surely they could show it live. Usual story nobody will even know the race was on.

tunney

Why should it be on TV? Seriously?

Nobody is interested, nobody would watch(in real numbers), and no one really cares.

(i been a specator at DCM a few times and am interested in marathons however just because you and I are doesn't mean it should be on tv.

gerard65

Highlights on setanta is the best you could hope for, although they will keep showing it over and over for a few weeks.:rolleyes:

jb-ski

gerard65 wrote: »

Highlights on setanta is the best you could hope for, although they will keep showing it over and over for a few weeks.:rolleyes:

so a wonderful opportunity to get on the TV - Woo Hoo!


(all i need to do is stick with the front guys for 2hrs 10min or so:eek:)

devotional1993

tunney wrote: »

Why should it be on TV? Seriously?

Nobody is interested, nobody would watch(in real numbers), and no one really cares.

(i been a specator at DCM a few times and am interested in marathons however just because you and I are doesn't mean it should be on tv.

Well it used to be on live . There is lots of stuff on rte that doesn't get huge figures either. Who watchs womens GAA . The final was live. You would think our tourism board,Adidas and a few others would pump some money in to it and show it.
Who has Setanta anyway for Gods sake?

Krusty_Clown

tunney wrote: »

Why should it be on TV? Seriously?

Nobody is interested, nobody would watch(in real numbers), and no one reallyy cares.

(i been a specator at DCM a few times and am interested in marathons however just because you and I are doesn't mean it should be on tv.

What else will RTE be showing on a Bank Holiday Monday?

robinph

jb-ski wrote: »

so a wonderful opportunity to get on the TV - Woo Hoo!


(all i need to do is stick with the front guys for 2hrs 10min or so:eek:)

I got into the coverage a couple of years ago, just stood around doing some stretches and stuff after the finish line in a tent thing they had setup there.

I seem to remember last years highlights being one of the worst put together sports programs I'd ever seen.

Program starts. Shot of people lining up at the start line. Commentator says, "oh look, that's Joe Blogs, he wins the race today, and there's Jane Blogs who wins the women's race, there's the gun and there off". There then followed some pretty pointless footage of Joe and Jane Blogs running around Dublin with the commentator maybe saying about someone else going into the lead at some point, but not to worry as the other guy will win it anyway.

robinph

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

What else will RTE be showing on a Bank Holiday Monday?

Mary Poppins?

RacoonQueen

Was always on live back in the day, always hate it being on and disrupting my cartoons :mad:. Sadly, I'll miss the highlights package this year as I don't have setanta anymore.

What was worse was it used to run down the grand canal and Clanbrassil St. before hitting SCR we used to have to go and watch it. I remember a particular one that fell on Halloween and having to stand around watching people bloody running when I could have been at home getting my witches outfit ready.

eon1208

tunney wrote: »

Why should it be on TV? Seriously?

Nobody is interested, nobody would watch(in real numbers), and no one really cares.

(i been a specator at DCM a few times and am interested in marathons however just because you and I are doesn't mean it should be on tv.

Why should'nt it be on tv when the majority of countries show their big city marathons live...Lots of armchair sports fans would relax and watch parts of it on a bank holiday

robinph

eon1208 wrote: »

Why should'nt it be on tv when the majority of countries show their big city marathons live...Lots of armchair sports fans would relax and watch parts of it on a bank holiday

They just need to free up 8:30am to 1pm ish in their schedules, send a few blokes out to stand on the side of the road with a camera and a couple of other lads sat the wrong way on the back of a motorbike and they are good to go*. All they would be showing otherwise is a couple of crappy old films. Nobody, other than kids and those that are running or interested, are going to be up in the morning of a bank holiday, anyone that doesn't care will be making the most of their lie in.

Most people in the UK don't give a damn about the London Marathon, but it's on one or other of their main channels for most of the day, the marathon does well out of it as it raises it's profile, the country does well out of it because even if people don't seem that interested in it the awareness of such things as marathons filters through to the general population and maybe a few years down the line someone decides to get off their backside and have a go at it.

Was getting a taxi into town last year with my camera gear and the taxi driver had no idea that the marathon was on and that various roads around the city would then be closed for the rest of the day. I'll forgive the other taxi drivers who took me to the park for the race series for not knowing about those races, but for a Dublin native to not be aware that Dublin even had a marathon in October is a bit poor.

A bit of TV coverage on RTE would do wonders for the marathon and the health of the nation.

* OK, so they would maybe need a bit more than that to do a proper outside broadcast coverage.

TheRoadRunner

devotional1993 wrote: »

This race should be live on tv. With the amount of money they spend on reality shows and other crap surely they could show it live. Usual story nobody will even know the race was on.

A cost analysis is probably the reason it's not shown. Actually costs a fair few quid for a live broadcast and this increases when the main protagonistics are in motion around a city. Viewing figures would be crap relative to total cost.

Somebody mentioned ladies gaa but rte are probably obliged to show that by the gaa as it's probably sold in a package.

robinph

Admittedly it was only going around the park, but they managed to do a live broadcast of the Great Ireland Run, although that was probably paid for by the Great XXX company in some part as they also had Foster over to do the commentary for his race.

Hard Worker

Who knows, maybe it will be live next year

RacoonQueen

Hard Worker wrote: »

Who knows, maybe it will be live next year

The route should be changed back to going through Portobello again too. Be nice to run through my real home.

G-Money

In a way, you'd think between RTE1, RTE2, TV3, 3e and TG4, one of them would have some semi-decent coverage.

Brianderunner

To be honest 95% of people would rather watch the same x factor show for the 3rd time in 24 hrs than watch the marathon live unfortunately.

gerard65

devotional1993 wrote: »

Who has Setanta anyway for Gods sake?

Setanta Ireland. Its on the basic NTL analogue package.(Or whatever they call themselves now. UPC?)

bart simpson

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

A cost analysis is probably the reason it's not shown. Actually costs a fair few quid for a live broadcast and this increases when the main protagonistics are in motion around a city. Viewing figures would be crap relative to total cost.

Somebody mentioned ladies gaa but rte are probably obliged to show that by the gaa as it's probably sold in a package.

yeah they probably wouldnt fork out the cash to do a cost analysis now!, i think it would be a profitable coverage for rte to be honest, when they stopped covering it live it probably wasnt worth it but now...there is a running boom in the country and the event is attracting record numbers each year!, also there are products such as lucozade sport, and sportsware companies which i am sure would buy advertising and sponsorship during the TV coverage.
but im sure they will buy some south american soccer competition instead:(

robinph

How many of the 11,000 people are bringing all their family along to stand on the side of the road to watch them?

Not a huge number I expect, so there you have a pretty much guaranteed audience of their extended families and friends. Even if they are bring some family along, everyone in the country must know someone doing the race to some extent, spread the word a bit and then you have a huge audience of people trying to look out for someone they know on telly.

shels4ever

I'd agree with the cost analysis of this, but to be honest the people that would sit at home and watch it would be the same people that would show up at the roadside to support the runners. Better having people out on the routh the sitting at home watching it would just take from the already smallish support recieved on some parts of the route.

shels4ever

robinph wrote: »

How many of the 11,000 people are bringing all their family along to stand on the side of the road to watch them?

Not a huge number I expect, so there you have a pretty much guaranteed audience of their extended families and friends. Even if they are bring some family along, everyone in the country must know someone doing the race to some extent, spread the word a bit and then you have a huge audience of people trying to look out for someone they know on telly.

I seem to remember it been covered in the early 90s not sure what type of numbers it recieved, But a good highlight package would do me as I'm usually on the route somewhere.

robinph

Well I'd expect more people to turn out to watch on the side of the road if it was on telly as well as plenty of people to watch it on the off chance of seeing their mate.

Not sure how other big city marathons are covered in their national TV stations, but the main focus of the London coverage is of the regular punters taking part, with a bit in between showing some skinny Africans running way too fast than normal humans could do. I'd say that the BBC coverage is the reason for it having become such a big deal for charities as well, with it putting a lot of focus on the normal people that just encourages more people to want to take part, wear a silly costume and raise a bit of cash.

robinph

shels4ever wrote: »

But a good highlight package would do me as I'm usually on the route somewhere.

A highlight program that doesn't tell you the winners at the start of the program would be a god start.

bart simpson

shels4ever wrote: »

I'd agree with the cost analysis of this, but to be honest the people that would sit at home and watch it would be the same people that would show up at the roadside to support the runners. Better having people out on the routh the sitting at home watching it would just take from the already smallish support recieved on some parts of the route.

the same thing was said about gaa coverage....in the early 90s before all the championship games were shown, people said if you did show all the games live the attendances would drop by huge numbers, but it had the opposite effect, having the games on the telly advertised the games and attendances went up.

shels4ever

bart simpson wrote: »

the same thing was said about gaa coverage....in the early 90s before all the championship games were shown, people said if you did show all the games live the attendances would drop by huge numbers, but it had the opposite effect, having the games on the telly advertised the games and attendances went up.

Not so sure about that there was a debate this year about the league been distroyed with the extra coverage of games, but i do get your point.
But the arm chair fan that watched GAA is not the same as the athletics fan, smaller active community involved in athletics and support tends to be raodside. Maybe i'm wrong.

ultraman1

robinph wrote: »

A highlight program that doesn't tell you the winners at the start of the program would be a god start.

a highlight programme that doesnt have Gerry Keirnan on it would do me....

Woddle

What about the running fans that don't live in Dublin and would love nothing better than watching it live on tv

robinph

Woddle wrote: »

What about the running fans that don't live in Dublin and would love nothing better than watching it live on tv

There are people that don't live in Dublin?

shels4ever

robinph wrote: »

There are people that don't live in Dublin?

They don't count...

I'm actully pro coverage but just wouldnt be the demand to justify the money.

RacoonQueen

ultraman1 wrote: »

a highlight programme that doesnt have Gerry Keirnan on it would do me....

A highlights programme on a channel that everyone has would do me. Some of us don't use UPC's sorry excuse for a service...

gerard65

RacoonQueen wrote: »

A highlights programme on a channel that everyone has would do me. Some of us don't use UPC's sorry excuse for a service...

But those who do will be able to watch highlights of the DCM - na na na:p

thirtyfoot

It would be great to have it on TV but when you consider none of the current big shots of Irish athletics who are possibly known to the man on the street (Gillick, O' Rourke, Hession, Loughnane) are in it means there is very little appeal for the general sports fan who even if they were live on TV (Gillick et al) they may not watch them anyway. Thats the average sports fan ruled out. The average athletics fan will more likely be out training themselves or coaching when its on so that rules them out. The average runner who may watch it is probably running it so that may rule them out. So, not much of an audience it would seem. There are no well known athletes in the race, another downside. Cork City sports regularly gets Olympic and World medalists along with the already mentioned big shots of Irish athletics and that doesn't get coverage. Its the way it is with the cash strapped RTE. Finally, to the average sports fan, the marathon is one of the least appealing events when say compared to mens 100 or womens high jump or a mens 1500. At over 2 hours long with nothing else to supplement it or even the potential of an Irish winner, it would be very boring to the average sports fan. I follow athletics, and I would find it hard to watch for 2.5 hours, much prefer to get out and watch it on the roadside.

RayCun

thirtyfoot wrote: »

It would be great to have it on TV but when you consider none of the current big shots of Irish athletics who are possibly known to the man on the street (Gillick, O' Rourke, Hession, Loughnane)

I reckon only one of those is known to the average person - not that it makes any difference. As others have said, it's more likely to attract an audience from people who know someone running it.

Bez Bing

thirtyfoot wrote: »

It would be great to have it on TV but when you consider none of the current big shots of Irish athletics who are possibly known to the man on the street (Gillick, O' Rourke, Hession, Loughnane) are in it means there is very little appeal for the general sports fan who even if they were live on TV (Gillick et al) they may not watch them anyway. Thats the average sports fan ruled out. The average athletics fan will more likely be out training themselves or coaching when its on so that rules them out. The average runner who may watch it is probably running it so that may rule them out. So, not much of an audience it would seem. There are no well known athletes in the race, another downside. Cork City sports regularly gets Olympic and World medalists along with the already mentioned big shots of Irish athletics and that doesn't get coverage. Its the way it is with the cash strapped RTE. Finally, to the average sports fan, the marathon is one of the least appealing events when say compared to mens 100 or womens high jump or a mens 1500. At over 2 hours long with nothing else to supplement it or even the potential of an Irish winner, it would be very boring to the average sports fan. I follow athletics, and I would find it hard to watch for 2.5 hours, much prefer to get out and watch it on the roadside.

I dont know about that, I'm a relatively new convert to long distance running and I always looked out for the marathon and the longer distance events in past Olympics and world championships. I always found the tatics and stuff very interetsing and great to watch.

Your point about the lack of a world class field is valid tho, as watching the non elites is just not that appealing to the general public.

thirtyfoot

RayCun wrote: »

I reckon only one of those is known to the average person - not that it makes any difference. .

You are probably right!

robinph

Bez Bing wrote: »

Your point about the lack of a world class field is valid tho, as watching the non elites is just not that appealing to the general public.

Which is where the coverage of people in silly outfits comes in, but you probably won't get as many of those until people know it will be on telly.

mloc123

tunney wrote: »

Why should it be on TV? Seriously?

Nobody is interested, nobody would watch(in real numbers), and no one really cares.

(i been a specator at DCM a few times and am interested in marathons however just because you and I are doesn't mean it should be on tv.

Tunney, you are missing the potential 'feel good' coverage..

"Here's Mary, she only started running 2 months ago and has been plagued with injuries outside of her control. She is hoping to get around today in under 7hours... an inspiration to us all"

shels4ever

mloc123 wrote: »

Tunney, you are missing the potential 'feel good' coverage..

"Here's Mary, she only started running 2 months ago and has been plagued with injuries outside of her control. She is hoping to get around today in under 7hours... an inspiration to us all"

haha I love it, that inspires people! would love to see mary post on here.

Just started running and will do the marathon in 8 week can I do it. Oh i'm also always injured and and cant run 2 miles without pain

eliwallach

thirtyfoot wrote: »

I
. Its the way it is with the cash strapped RTE.
.

Is this the same RTE that shelled out for the wonderful* Confederations Cup (in which, of course, Rep of Ireland weren't involved) in the summer of 2009, and neglected the Athletics World Championships in Berlin (where, the wonderful**, Olive Loughnane medalled). RTE was left with egg on it's face as it was announced sheepishly by Michael Lyster during an outside broadcast (from Ballybofey***).
RTE are not cash strapped - it chooses not to show athletics/marathon esp if there are 2 cocks fighting in Kiltamagh.

*being sarcastic here
** true meaning of word here
*** Will have to recheck my sources on the actual venue.

tunney

Won't be too costly if they only covered the people running the marathon - jsut under three hours of outside broadcast can't be too expensive?

ronanmac

Covering something like the Confederations Cup costs very little as the broadcast cost is shared out over hundreds of broadcasters, and you are only paying for broadcast rights, as opposed to broadcast and transmission costs.

Covering the marathon live (and doing it properly) would actually cost a lot of money (satellite uplinks cost a fortune). The reason you see other events covered, such as the BUPA runs, Berlin etc., is the cost to the broadcaster is subsidised greatly by sponsors. In many cases, programming is supplied for free to broadcasters. For example, Gaelforce West (2008 I think?) was broadcast by a number of channels, but the cost was met almost exclusively by Fáilte Ireland. Likewise, triathlon events from places such as Abu Dhabi get relatively high-profile exposure on Sky Sports and Eurosport, as the programming cost is met entirely by sponsors (Abu Dhabi itself in that case).

I would imagine that for the Dublin Marathon to be broadcast live (and it's something that might happen next year, guessing from Hard Worker's post), the cost would have to be met entirely, or substantially, by a body other than the broadcaster. In the case of Dublin, it could Fáilte Ireland, Adidas or a combination of sponsors. I can't imagine that the cost to viewer ratio would allow RTÉ to justify taking on the expense itself.

Hard Worker

ronanmac wrote: »

Covering something like the Confederations Cup costs very little as the broadcast cost is shared out over hundreds of broadcasters, and you are only paying for broadcast rights, as opposed to broadcast and transmission costs.

Covering the marathon live (and doing it properly) would actually cost a lot of money (satellite uplinks cost a fortune). The reason you see other events covered, such as the BUPA runs, Berlin etc., is the cost to the broadcaster is subsidised greatly by sponsors. In many cases, programming is supplied for free to broadcasters. For example, Gaelforce West (2008 I think?) was broadcast by a number of channels, but the cost was met almost exclusively by Fáilte Ireland. Likewise, triathlon events from places such as Abu Dhabi get relatively high-profile exposure on Sky Sports and Eurosport, as the programming cost is met entirely by sponsors (Abu Dhabi itself in that case).

I would imagine that for the Dublin Marathon to be broadcast live (and it's something that might happen next year, guessing from Hard Worker's post), the cost would have to be met entirely, or substantially, by a body other than the broadcaster. In the case of Dublin, it could Fáilte Ireland, Adidas or a combination of sponsors. I can't imagine that the cost to viewer ratio would allow RTÉ to justify taking on the expense itself.

Correct. RTE do not pay for these events. The substantial cost of covering this live would be borne by the event organiser.

digger2d2

If we all decided to run in Irish would TG4 be duty bound to show it?;)

gerard65

digger2d2 wrote: »

If we all decided to run in Irish would TG4 be duty bound to show it?;)

If you run in Irish you get 10% knocked off your finishing time before you even start, a bit like the leaving cert.:)

robinph

gerard65 wrote: »

If you run in Irish you get 10% knocked off your finishing time before you even start, a bit like the leaving cert.:)

Right, I need a crash course in talking funny.

yosser hughes

It should be on TV. There is a running boom and cost shouldn'tcome in to it.RTE is supposed to fulfill a public service remit.It fails miserably in that respect.The numbers running are increasing all the time and it would encourage more people to getout there and run.We do have an obesity problem.Broadcasting the marathon would be a public service. Then again it's a bank holiday so god knows what TE staf would want to bother coming in.Triple time etc.

ecoli

New Course record by Kibet 2.08.56

ecoli

http://dublinmarathon.info/startcamera.html

Finish line streaming

myflipflops

ecoli wrote: »

New Course record by Kibet 2.08.56

F*ck me.

The concept of what is a world class marathon performance really is changing.