Winning Streak- overstaffed?

Corsendonk

This show really hasn't changed format from the days of Mike Murphy yet today we have two co-hosts since Miss Thomas decided to stop jet setting. Whats that all about? Two people doing the workload of one, I am sure RTE would save money reverting back to one presenter.

Colmo52

Or they could save even more money by cancelling it.

Corsendonk

Colmo52 wrote: »

Or they could save even more money by cancelling it.

Ahh judging by the extra commercial breaks they crammed in when they added 30mins that they didn't really need, RTE must make good advertising revenue from the show.

Colmo52

They should change the format so and make them answer questions or something instead of pressing a button and spinning a wheel.

coylemj

Surely the presenters are paid by the National Lottery and not RTE?

The program was originally 30 minutes and despite the fact that there is zero skill required on the part of the contestants, it proved to be so popular that it got extended to 60 minutes many years ago. The absence of any kind of skill on the part of the contestants doesn't seem to deter the huge audience this program gets every week.

Even though we're a nation of begrudgers, it seems that we have no problem watching a lot of old biddies being patronised by unctuous presenters and winning piles of cash and lots of holidays and free cars. The show is a major hit in the sticks where they don't have 99 channels to chose from so it's continued success is guaranteed.

Colmo52

Colmo52 wrote: »

They should change the format so and make them answer questions or something instead of pressing a button and spinning a wheel.

Yes because scratching a card to reveal 3 stars and then get that same card drawn from a raffle is incredibly scientific and intelligent...

Colmo52

Papa Smut wrote: »

Yes because scratching a card to reveal 3 stars and then get that same card drawn from a raffle is incredibly scientific and intelligent...

Just look at the english national lottery game shows. You apply online. Get picked. Answer a few questions. Win money. Go home.

a lot more enjoyable for the audience than watching a couple of old people trying to spin a wheel.

Mr E

Yeah in fairness, the UK show is better. At least there is an element of skill involved. Is Dale Winton better or worse than Marty?

juma

coylemj wrote: »

Surely the presenters are paid by the National Lottery and not RTE?

The program was originally 30 minutes and despite the fact that there is zero skill required on the part of the contestants, it proved to be so popular that it got extended to 60 minutes many years ago. The absence of any kind of skill on the part of the contestants doesn't seem to deter the huge audience this program gets every week.

Even though we're a nation of begrudgers, it seems that we have no problem watching a lot of old biddies being patronised by unctuous presenters and winning piles of cash and lots of holidays and free cars. The show is a major hit in the sticks where they don't have 99 channels to chose from so it's continued success is guaranteed.

What an idiotic post

Minstrel27

juma wrote: »

What an idiotic post

Would you care to explain why?

Radiotower

Colmo52 wrote: »

They should change the format so and make them answer questions or something instead of pressing a button and spinning a wheel.

Its a lottery game - i think the clue is in the name...

Laois_Man

I don't possess any market research to back this up - but I suspect the life blood of the national lottery in terms of their scratch card sales are the "Old biddies" mentioned here. Certainly it's the case that almost anyone I know who purchases scratch cards falls into a category like this - apart from the odd one we all see in the odd birthday card. And from the occasional time when I'm channel hopping and I find myself landing on that show (briefly), the contestants fit the profile also.

I strongly suspect the National Lottery aren't going to radically change the format of the show to the point that it intimidates their core consumer base from purchasing their product!

Cyndaquil

Laois_Man wrote: »

I don't possess any market research to back this up - but I suspect the life blood of the national lottery in terms of their scratch card sales are the "Old biddies" mentioned here. Certainly it's the case that almost anyone I know who purchases scratch cards falls into a category like this - apart from the odd one we all see in the odd birthday card. And from the occasional time when I'm channel hopping and I find myself landing on that show (briefly), the contestants fit the profile also.

I strongly suspect the National Lottery aren't going to radically change the format of the show to the point that it intimidates their core consumer base from purchasing their product!

Indeed, that and it's Saturday night slot indicate that the "Old biddie" demographic is essential all part of the plan. I suppose from the NL's perspective it's a case of if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I do wonder though about the need for two presenters. My guess is that Marty is needed to keep up the appeal for the aforementioned demographic, with Kathryn more there as an attempt to keep the younger demographic with, eh, eye-candy, though I somehow doubt many of the 18-49 demographic set aside time from their Saturday evenings to watch it...

mikemac

In the Mike Murphy days there was a star with five options.
Get the wrong option you lost everything you have won :eek:
And people debated if they would take the risk or not

Bring this back, made for a talking point on the show

Corsendonk

Laois_Man wrote: »

I don't possess any market research to back this up - but I suspect the life blood of the national lottery in terms of their scratch card sales are the "Old biddies" mentioned here. Certainly it's the case that almost anyone I know who purchases scratch cards falls into a category like this - apart from the odd one we all see in the odd birthday card. And from the occasional time when I'm channel hopping and I find myself landing on that show (briefly), the contestants fit the profile also.

I strongly suspect the National Lottery aren't going to radically change the format of the show to the point that it intimidates their core consumer base from purchasing their product!

Yes I heard accounts were they had to stop selling scratch cards in post offices because some of the old biddies were spending their pension on scratch cards, bingo is worse than poker! One of the roles of the presenter is to stop them falling over.

I presume RTE pays for the show and the ever changing Miss Thomas wardrobe. Laura Wood also hosted the show on her own. It seems to me their just creating a second job for the sake of it.

Minstrel27

Corsendonk wrote: »

I presume RTE pays for the show and the ever changing Miss Thomas wardrobe. Laura Wood also hosted the show on her own. It seems to me their just creating a second job for the sake of it.

I'd have thought that the National Lottery paid for the prizes

Corsendonk

Minstrel27 wrote: »

I'd have thought that the National Lottery paid for the prizes

Lol thats kind of obvious but the rest such as the over priced presenters are RTE funded ? This is a company that made a 20 million euro loss last year and is using two staff members for a job that 3 years ago had one presenter to do the same workload.

Minstrel27

I'd imagine that the advertising during the time that it's on pays for the show with money left over.

Saila

yes axe the man and keep cathrine thomas

Minstrel27

Saila wrote: »

yes axe the man and keep cathrine thomas

She looks like James Nesbitt in drag.

podgeandrodge

Saw it tonight by accident and came on here to rant and found this post. No excuse for 2 presenters and it doesn't even work they are interupting each other. Lottery or rte paying the wage? No matter - either a good cause is suffering or our license fee is paying for it.

JONJO THE MISER

There is 2 presenters but there is also a roving reporter who travels around the country to various national lottery projects and a lucky dip winner picked from the previous weeks show gets to spin a mini wheel.

podgeandrodge

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

There is 2 presenters but there is also a roving reporter who travels around the country to various national lottery projects and a lucky dip winner picked from the previous weeks show gets to spin a mini wheel.

well I can sort of see the point about needing their roving reporter if that's what they do, and the lucky dip winner is just part of the proceedings, not an unnecessary employee.

My gripe was that the show does not need 2 presenters. Mike Murphy etc did grand on their own.