Transports of Delight

[kyser_soze]

They'll spend millions on three petrolheads wrecking stuff, but they've never found it in themselves to produce a decent cycling magazine show (not competitive so much, as Top Gear is for petrolheads).

That's possibly the funniest thing I've seen on Urban for a while.

It's certainly had its day. Take a look at the audience. Most of them look bored out their minds. So I got on top gear and this is it

Well, aside from the huge waiting list already mentioned, it's maintained it's audience level of about 7.74mn people year on year for the start of the series. I'd also guess you've never been to a TV show being filmed either...it is tedious...

http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?Requesttimeout=500&report=weeklyterrestrial

 

[Cobbles]

They'll spend millions on three petrolheads wrecking stuff, but they've never found it in themselves to produce a decent cycling magazine show (not competitive so much, as Top Gear is for petrolheads).

it's called investment - however much they spend is returned manyfold in overseals sales of teh programming and its format farnchise.

Even if a cycling show was produced on a shoestring for the dozen or so folk who'd view it without falling asleep, "and this sprocket is made of xxx and has 3 more teeth than this one*close-up*)", it'd be a waste of cash rather than a big earner.

 

[stavros]

it's called investment - however much they spend is returned manyfold in overseals sales of teh programming and its format farnchise.

Even if a cycling show was produced on a shoestring for the dozen or so folk who'd view it without falling asleep, "and this sprocket is made of xxx and has 3 more teeth than this one*close-up*)", it'd be a waste of cash rather than a big earner.

Firstly, the Beeb isn't a commercial enterprise but a service provider. Secondly, I'm not talking about it being a techy haven, more a wide-ranging and varied tapping into the massively growing demand for self-powered two wheels. As a thread (I think on one of the other boards) put it a few weeks ago, we may be at the start of the end of the car age.

 

[soulman]

Firstly, the Beeb isn't a commercial enterprise but a service provider. Secondly, I'm not talking about it being a techy haven, more a wide-ranging and varied tapping into the massively growing demand for self-powered two wheels. As a thread (I think on one of the other boards) put it a few weeks ago, we may be at the start of the end of the car age.

Exactly they would be fulfilling their public service remit, and if the BBC did have the balls to commission a new programme like this they might well find themselves ahead of the game.

 

[kyser_soze]

OK, so for all you production geniuses, how about some ideas for content on this cycling show - let's assume it has to fill the same spot on Sunday evening on BBC2, and it has to get at least 50% of TGs audience (3.35m viewers)

Seriously - you're all so full of great ideas for how to make a TV show about cycling engaging, watchable and, most importantly, long lasting. TG has been around, in various guises, since 1977 when it started out as a 30 minute magazine show.

Or will this be the usual derth of actual ideas, lets rely on someone else to come up with it crap this forum specialises in when criticsing TV scheduling and production.

 

[DownwardDog]

OK, so for all you production geniuses, how about some ideas for content on this c
Seriously - you're all so full of great ideas for how to make a TV show about cycling engaging, watchable and, most importantly, long lasting. TG has been around, in various guises, since 1977 when it started out as a 30 minute magazine show.

I've got some great ideas. It will be called "Big Ring" and be presented by Will Self, Fearne Cotton and that Scottish bloke from the Olympics with the freakishly thick neck. David Cameron will be the first star on a reasonably priced bike.

 

[Cobbles]

I've got some great ideas. It will be called "Big Ring" and be presented by Will Self, Fearne Cotton and that Scottish bloke from the Olympics with the freakishly thick neck. David Cameron will be the first star on a reasonably priced bike.

Riveting - I can see the audience peaking somewhere in double figures - say, 30 or 40. Maybe the format could be sold to the 3rd world - no, wait, they're all only interested in ditching their bikes and buying a car as soon as they can.

 

[soulman]

OK, so for all you production geniuses, how about some ideas for content on this cycling show - let's assume it has to fill the same spot on Sunday evening on BBC2, and it has to get at least 50% of TGs audience (3.35m viewers)

Seriously - you're all so full of great ideas for how to make a TV show about cycling engaging, watchable and, most importantly, long lasting. TG has been around, in various guises, since 1977 when it started out as a 30 minute magazine show.

Or will this be the usual derth of actual ideas, lets rely on someone else to come up with it crap this forum specialises in when criticsing TV scheduling and production.

Well someone has got their knickers in a twist!

No let's not assume it has to fill the same slot or get 50% of the audience in the first show because that would be setting it up to fail from the start.

Some ideas: A segment detailing the history of cycling. Something on one particular area of cycling, let's say cyclo-cross as we're now into autumn/winter. Reviews of different bits for your bike, again lets say lights as it's getting dark earlier. Testing of the latest bikes on the market. An interview with someone inspirational in cycling, let's say one of the '08 olympic team. Something taking the piss out of local councils or government, let's say stupid cycle lanes.

That's just a couple of ideas off the top of my head. I'm sure there's loads more that people could come up with.

 

[kyser_soze]

because that would be setting it up to fail from the start.

Ah, so you accept that there would be nothing like the audience that TG gets for a cycling show? Well, there's one plank of the argument for falling away...

So far I'm seeing riveting TV - perhaps something to bundle away on BBC3, but primetime on Sunday on BBC2?

 

[soulman]

Ah, so you accept that there would be nothing like the audience that TG gets for a cycling show? Well, there's one plank of the argument for falling away...

So far I'm seeing riveting TV - perhaps something to bundle away on BBC3, but primetime on Sunday on BBC2?

The only one who seems to be setting these audience levels and so on is you. I said I reckoned it would get a fair number of viewers. If it was given the chance I think it would. As you've said yourself TG grew from a half-hour magazine show over 20 years ago.

I still think TG reached its entertainment peak a while ago and now it's heading downhill.

 

[stavros]

Ah, so you accept that there would be nothing like the audience that TG gets for a cycling show? Well, there's one plank of the argument for falling away...

So far I'm seeing riveting TV - perhaps something to bundle away on BBC3, but primetime on Sunday on BBC2?

I suspect that you wouldn't be the target audience, just as I, a non-driver, am not overly enamoured by three men, mid-40s going on 13, smashing up cars. I wouldn't profess to be a televisual concept genius, but just felt that given cycling's growing popularity for a multitude of reasons, it would be worth investigating commissioning a show that provided an easy-access media outlet for those who're picking it up and also maintaining their love for it. ITV's coverage of competitive cycling, to give an example, is woefully underpromoted, but remains a great package, with the nuances of the peloton explained clearly and sucinctly. Something along those lines but overarching cycling in its myriad of forms would find a niche, not compete with Top Gear but to fill another hole.

 

[Cobbles]

Looks like a top episode this Sunday.

apart from a Riviera challenge (Ferrari vs. powerboat), it's bus racing

Smashing (with a bit of luck - 3 less mobile traffic jams to worry about).

 

[mattie]

OK, so for all you production geniuses, how about some ideas for content on this cycling show - let's assume it has to fill the same spot on Sunday evening on BBC2, and it has to get at least 50% of TGs audience (3.35m viewers)

Seriously - you're all so full of great ideas for how to make a TV show about cycling engaging, watchable and, most importantly, long lasting. TG has been around, in various guises, since 1977 when it started out as a 30 minute magazine show.

Or will this be the usual derth of actual ideas, lets rely on someone else to come up with it crap this forum specialises in when criticsing TV scheduling and production.

Fucks' sake, stick Clarkson on a bike in rush-hour traffic.

Really, how hard is it.