Dublin City marathon 2012 TV Coverage

CiaranC33

Will RTE be showing live coverage of the Dublin City marathon this year? I really enjoyed it last year.

RayCun

No.
This was discussed a few months ago, when DCM announced they didn't have a main sponsor. Apparently that's not so much the problem, but the Olympics coverage blew a large hole in the RTE athletics/minority sports budget.

CiaranC33

Thanks RayCun. That's very disappointing. Typical RTE so I'm not really surprised.

rom

It is the case that DCM have to pay RTE to put it on the box and it is the first thing to be cut.

nerraw1111

I *think* the money from sponsors paid for the live broadcast last year. It wasn't an RTE production.

promethius

the largest mass participation (or close to it) event in the country for the year, taking part in the capital and not being shown by the national broadcaster. the likes of celebrity bainisteoir and similar wastes of money have a lot to answer for....

Hard Worker

For the first time in the 33 year history of the event, there will be absolutely no TV coverage of the event, live or highlights, other than perhaps a news camera at the finish that will show on the evening news.
It costs huge money to do live coverage, which is obviously not an option without a sponsor. In fact, I'd go so far to say that it is unlikely that there will be live coverage again. The option of a highlights program will probably come back on the radar next year if and when we get a sponsor. It is a fraction of the cost to produce a highlights program.

tHE vAGGABOND

Was not a fan of the live coverage last year tbh - dont think it added anything at all..

A number of generic "stock" RTE sports people who did not have a clue what they were on about IMHO [from watching highlights afterwards]

tang1

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Was not a fan of the live coverage last year tbh - dont think it added anything at all..

A number of generic "stock" RTE sports people who did not have a clue what they were on about IMHO [from watching highlights afterwards]

Fair point, but would rather see it on tv than not though. Its a shame really considering the massive uptake in running the past 12-18 months. Money talks i suppose.

eliwallach

And Eurosport aren't showing the Amsterdam marathon this weekend:mad:

huskerdu

I am happy to get stuck in with some RTE bashing when they deserve it, but I have sympathy with them on this one.

That size of outside broadcast is very expensive and the viewership and advertising that it generates is minimal.

There are loads of other sports that they have to give some time to, under their public service remit.

The argument that we are in the middle of an explosion in road-running cuts no ice with me when you consider that a large percentage of those who have taken up running recently are not athletics fans and will not watch any athletics coverage, either at world level, or the DCM. I have no problem with this, just pointing out the hole in the argument.

I'd love to see it on TV, but I can completely understand why it is not on

clear thinking

Just a thought but maybe the marathon could line up an online tv channel, i'm sure there'd be plenty of interest especially from the overseas athletes relatives back home?

A few decent cameras, a bit of broadband and line up a presenter and a few athletes to waffle. Or just listen in to the mad bloke who does the PA as he's gas anyway.

rom

clear thinking wrote: »

Just a thought but maybe the marathon could line up an online tv channel, i'm sure there'd be plenty of interest especially from the overseas athletes relatives back home?

A few decent cameras, a bit of broadband and line up a presenter and a few athletes to waffle. Or just listen in to the mad bloke who does the PA as he's gas anyway.

Ain't that exactly what RTE does ? but seriously are RTE the only show in town to put this on ? A marathon to most people is not exciting to watch. Seeing 2 or 3 guys/gals running way in front of everyone meaning nothing to most people. They could be terminators for all they care. There is no understanding of it being on a knife edge that one could pull up at any moment, that they are at their limit, the years of training, that say last year people going for the A standard and what it would mean etc etc. Most people play GAA growing compared to being involved in athletics up so have a more attachment to it. Lots of people believe that winning an all-Ireland is the pinnacle of all sports for an Irish person. Like someone said to me Kerry won the Ireland but Jerry Kiernan came only 9th in the olympic marathon so it was right he shouldn't get Kerry sports person of the year. Similarly Rob Heffernan coming 4th in the walk will be forgotten about but people will remember who won Celebrity Bainisteoir this year for longer.

The Royal Scam

At least I won't have to wear my 10ft tall Bird Bird costume now. I'm not going to bother now if I'm not potentially going to get myself on TV

average_runner

Celeb Banisteoir is on tv because well known personalities are on it and can connect with people. It makes money for rte. I dont watch it though.

The Dublin marathon on the other hand has nothing attractive to it for the neutral person. To be honest i would watch a good few of the major marathons but don't think i would even watch the Dublin one on tv.

The reason for this is that Dublin does not have any top runners in the marathon to gain people interest. Until something about this happens it will never be attractive to a tv station to purchase.

If Eurosport or Setanta ain't showing, ie channels dedicated to sport it says alot.

ThisRegard

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Was not a fan of the live coverage last year tbh - dont think it added anything at all..

A number of generic "stock" RTE sports people who did not have a clue what they were on about IMHO [from watching highlights afterwards]

Speaking as someone who sat at home watching it, I enjoyed it. I didn't care who was reporting from the various points around the course, I have no need for someone to tell me what's happening in a marathon etc as it's fairly obvious to anyone who does a bit of running.

Pisco Sour

I'm an athletics fanatic. Will watch any discipline. Even I find watching marathon's on TV to be dull. A train of East Africans running after pace makers in search of times, with no real racing half the time. How is that going to appeal to the general public? Would be a hell of a lot better for athletics in Ireland if RTE showed live coverage of the 3rd biggest sporting event on the planet, the IAAF World Championships! Young kids watching Bolt, Kirani James, Mo Farah, Jess Ennis, that's inspiring and can do some good in the long term.

sideswipe

Pisco Sour wrote: »

I'm an athletics fanatic. Will watch any discipline. Even I find watching marathon's on TV to be dull. A train of East Africans running after pace makers in search of times, with no real racing half the time. How is that going to appeal to the general public? Would be a hell of a lot better for athletics in Ireland if RTE showed live coverage of the 3rd biggest sporting event on the planet, the IAAF World Championships! Young kids watching Bolt, Kirani James, Mo Farah, Jess Ennis, that's inspiring and can do some good in the long term.

Yeah but there's no chance of me catching a two nanosecond glimpse of myself on the tellybox at the IAAF.

nerraw1111

It's disappointing that there's no highlights package. 14,000 people running it alone would suggest you'd get a decent viewing figures, as well as some decent ad breaks.

But the reality is, everything is being cut back and a 3 hour one off live broadcast makes no financial sense.

Hard Worker

nerraw1111 wrote: »

It's disappointing that there's no highlights package. 14,000 people running it alone would suggest you'd get a decent viewing figures, as well as some decent ad breaks.

But the reality is, everything is being cut back and a 3 hour one off live broadcast makes no financial sense.

RTE were very impressed with the viewing figures last year. Cutbacks in RTE have little to do with whether the Dublin Marathon is shown on TV. Dublin Marathon pay for the coverage. With no sponsor this year, that cannot be done.

Hard Worker

average_runner wrote: »

Celeb Banisteoir is on tv because well known personalities are on it and can connect with people. It makes money for rte. I dont watch it though.

The Dublin marathon on the other hand has nothing attractive to it for the neutral person. To be honest i would watch a good few of the major marathons but don't think i would even watch the Dublin one on tv.

The reason for this is that Dublin does not have any top runners in the marathon to gain people interest. Until something about this happens it will never be attractive to a tv station to purchase.

If Eurosport or Setanta ain't showing, ie channels dedicated to sport it says alot.

Yeah, I only watch Barca and Real myself. Couldn't be bothered watching Rovers and Bohs :rolleyes: On the other hand, a lot of people are interested in watching the Dublin Marathon on TV as last years viewing figures prove.

afatbollix

You can film a football match for about 20k you need about 100k+ to film a marathon.

nerraw1111

Hard Worker wrote: »

RTE were very impressed with the viewing figures last year. Cutbacks in RTE have little to do with whether the Dublin Marathon is shown on TV. Dublin Marathon pay for the coverage. With no sponsor this year, that cannot be done.

Absolutely. I was referring to calls for RTE alone to pay for it. I mentioned that sponsor issue earlier.

average_runner

Hard Worker wrote: »

Yeah, I only watch Barca and Real myself. Couldn't be bothered watching Rovers and Bohs :rolleyes: On the other hand, a lot of people are interested in watching the Dublin Marathon on TV as last years viewing figures prove.

one thing being impressed but making profit is what counts. if it generated money they would do it.

JustAThought

I thought RTE was a licensed public Service Provider. Surely a mass participation event where " anybody" ( who trains) can enter would warrant a few camera crews doing footage for editing & re-broadcasting later; or inclusion on news or special feature show. That is what we pay our licence fee for . Charities & non-profits should not have to work hard to gain extra sponsorship to pay a semi-state to cover a sporting event. Agreed the while 3/5 hour event would be v dull -but a feature would not IMO.

rom

JustAThought wrote: »

I thought RTE was a licensed public Service Provider. Surely a mass participation event where " anybody" ( who trains) can enter would warrant a few camera crews doing footage for editing & re-broadcasting later; or inclusion on news or special feature show. That is what we pay our licence fee for . Charities & non-profits should not have to work hard to gain extra sponsorship to pay a semi-state to cover a sporting event. Agreed the while 3/5 hour event would be v dull -but a feature would not IMO.

RTE run a tight ship and money would never be wasted on such an event because money has to be spent in more vital places like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDUBUr1FtkM

nerraw1111

That viral would've cost feck all to make. One camera man and staff having the laugh. There's plenty of examples of waste at RTE but that isn't of them.

neilc

Hard Worker wrote: »

Yeah, I only watch Barca and Real myself. Couldn't be bothered watching Rovers and Bohs :rolleyes: On the other hand, a lot of people are interested in watching the Dublin Marathon on TV as last years viewing figures prove.

Presume you meant league champions Sligo Rovers there Hard Worker

Hard Worker

afatbollix wrote: »

You can film a football match for about 20k you need about 100k+ to film a marathon.

If you can point us in the direction of the company who can film the marathon for 100,000, we'll go for it.
You can multiply that by multiples for the actual cost. The above figure might cover staff costs. To do the job properly, you need helicoptors, bikes, OB unit, and back up facilities to ensure live coverage goes ahead no matter what the weather conditions are. Also, miles of cabling and temporary structures etc.

average_runner

Hard Worker wrote: »

If you can point us in the direction of the company who can film the marathon for 100,000, we'll go for it.
You can multiply that by multiples for the actual cost. The above figure might cover staff costs. To do the job properly, you need helicoptors, bikes, OB unit, and back up facilities to ensure live coverage goes ahead no matter what the weather conditions are. Also, miles of cabling and temporary structures etc.

Does any tv station make a profit from showing a marathon? The majors even?

frfintanstack

rom wrote: »

RTE run a tight ship and money would never be wasted on such an event because money has to be spent in more vital places like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDUBUr1FtkM

worth every penny just for 1:17-1:24

Hard Worker

average_runner wrote: »

Does any tv station make a profit from showing a marathon? The majors even?

I don't know to be honest. However, in the case of RTE, they would have had minimal costs as coverage of the event was paid for by the Dublin Marathon.

rom

frfintanstack wrote: »

worth every penny just for 1:17-1:24

Was going to say that in my OP but it would lessen the point. Now there is a spectator sport if I ever saw one.

average_runner

Hard Worker wrote: »

I don't know to be honest. However, in the case of RTE, they would have had minimal costs as coverage of the event was paid for by the Dublin Marathon.

Ok, so if Dublin marathon gets the sponsorship they need we could have it back on tv in the near future, depending on the money it gets of course from the sponsorship?

Ganymedian

It has to be possible to do something online. A series of Smartphones streaming the video to a website. Surely there would be 100 people connected to the 14,000 runners who could manage to do a reasonable job on a voluntary basis

It would even add to the fun

In fact and upload site for all smartphone clips could produce some interesting results