JGP free live streams boost figure skating views worldwide

ice coverage · Dec 5, 2018

In-depth story by Phil Hersh re the success of JGP streaming, including Ted Barton's integral role:

ISU’s Junior Grand Prix free live streams boost figure skating views around the world
By Philip Hersh
Dec 5, 2018, 8:21 AM EST

https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2018...-boost-figure-skating-views-around-the-world/

(New thread because the older thread about Ted Barton has been archived.)

Colonel Green · Dec 5, 2018

Making it easier for people to watch skating on a convenient platform increases viewership...:think:

el henry · Dec 5, 2018

Colonel Green said:
Making it easier for people to watch skating on a convenient platform increases viewership...:think:

:agree:

And using a commentstor who treats all competitors with respect, who doesn’t consider it part of a “sport” to use sarcasm or make fun of competitors, and who does not talk over the skates, increases viewership

:think:

mrrice · Dec 5, 2018

el henry said:
:agree:

And using a commentstor who treats all competitors with respect, who doesn’t consider it part of a “sport” to use sarcasm or make fun of competitors, and who does not talk over the skates, increases viewership

:think:

I agree completely. You can always find something positive to say about a skater. Why not mention the sacrifices that these skaters make just to get to the event. These jumps don't come in a can. You have to work hard to make them happen. Outside a gala, I don't think most of the young skaters have ever stayed up until 3am "Partying" Their lives are about discipline and focus.

Jeanie19 · Dec 5, 2018

el henry said:
:agree:

And using a commentstor who treats all competitors with respect, who doesn’t consider it part of a “sport” to use sarcasm or make fun of competitors, and who does not talk over the skates, increases viewership

:think:

And the livestreams stay up. Sometimes in the spring and summer i watch them.

slowparade · Dec 6, 2018

Digital platforms are the present and future after all. As a newbie FS fan, these livestreams are so, so, so helpful. I got super confused when everyone kept talking about the Russian junior ladies, so I searched them up and found the ISU JGP Final in Nagoya last year. And it's the full competition too! Just in time to familiarize myself with the skaters for GPF and JGPF in Vancouver this week.

satine · Dec 6, 2018

Jeanie19 said:
And the livestreams stay up. Sometimes in the spring and summer i watch them.

I do the same! After the GP when the season begins to slow down I turn to the JGP :agree:

Harriet · Dec 6, 2018

I didn't realise Ted Barton was a New Zealander by birth. No wonder he's so nice! (New Zealanders are like the Canadians of the English-speaking Southern Hemisphere).

I know the article does seem a bit like stating the obvious (making good quality videos available for free increases audiences and interest, who'da thunk it?), but it's good to have some facts and figures supporting the statement rather than just relying on anecdata and assumptions.

Lester · Dec 6, 2018

You have to admire journalists though, for being able to spit out a king size sheet of writing out of 5 sentences of relevant information.
And always with a cheesy personal story, of course.

Otherwise I think that the juniors pushing for difficult tech content also contributes to the JGPs being popular.

DenissVFan · Dec 6, 2018

el henry said:
:agree:

And using a commentstor who treats all competitors with respect, who doesn’t consider it part of a “sport” to use sarcasm or make fun of competitors, and who does not talk over the skates, increases viewership

:think:

I don't know if there'd be a demand for that but if they ever decide to hire a Russian commentator, they should choose Radionova, who is positive in her commentary.

ice coverage · Dec 6, 2018

I for one am happy that Hersh wrote at length about the importance of free JGP streaming to the sport's reach and future. Wall-to-wall live streaming (plus archiving) combined with Ted Barton's respectful and constructive commentary.
(For me, the article offered much more than "5 sentences of relevant information.")

Slightly ironic that the article was published by NBC -- which requires a paid subscription for access to streaming (and on-demand video) of GPs and other senior competitions.
But only slightly. The (growing) fanbase that appreciates free JGP streaming has a (growing as well?) subset of individuals who potentially would be interested in purchasing the NBC pass.

Fluture · Dec 6, 2018

I love the JGP coverage. Ted is such a wonderful commentator, he does truly everything a good commentator should do. He is well-informed, knows what he‘s talking about (other than some skater‘s music. Anastasia Tarakanova is NOT skating to Believer, Ted! :laugh:

) and he‘s very supportive of everyone. And most of all: HE DOESN‘T TALK DURING THE PERFORMANCE. That‘s like... the most important rule of all and so many commentators have trouble accepting that. I mean, it‘s common knowledge - let the audience watch the performance peacefully. There are replays afterwards anyway, talk then about the technical things. That‘s why I love the JGP coverage. It‘s easily accessible, has great quality and a great commentator, too. That‘s the future and that‘s apparently (actually a bit obvious but still great to hear it being confirmed) also the way you gain an audience and make figure skating a more popular sport again. I wish we had something like that for the senior GP events as well. But I understand if that isn‘t possible. But you could do Junior Worlds, Ted, if you need more work. :biggrin:

chopinskate · Dec 6, 2018

:shocked::eeking:

:sarcasm:

Miller · Dec 6, 2018

Let's hope the ISU does it for Challenger events and 'Other B's', even GPs where they've not sold the TV rights - it can't be that difficult to geo-block accordingly, and then as the rights drop off un-geo-block, and you've got a resource for future generations.

Harriet · Dec 6, 2018

Miller said:
Let's hope the ISU does it for Challenger events and 'Other B's', even GPs where they've not sold the TV rights - it can't be that difficult to geo-block accordingly, and then as the rights drop off un-geo-block, and you've got a resource for future generations.

I think they need to renegotiate how they sell the rights to TV stations - eg reserve the right to stream (un-geoblocked) and permanently archive on YouTube an uncommentated version of (at minimum) all GP and Championship performances, and then let the broadcasters buy the rights to their value-added (in the form of the commentary) version only, which they can protect however they please. I doubt they have the funds to do professional-quality filming at Senior Bs and Challengers, there are so many, but it would be lovely if they could...

ladyjane · Dec 6, 2018

Nice article, and absolutely true. I always enjoy the JGP competitions, and it really is very nice that one can just watch the performance without commentary and get that during the replays. And the commentary in itself is always so constructive.

apgold · Dec 6, 2018

Meagan Duhamel will be commentating with Ted during the Final on YouTube.

Looking forward to hearing them!

cheerknithanson · Dec 6, 2018

Harriet said:
I think they need to renegotiate how they sell the rights to TV stations - eg reserve the right to stream (un-geoblocked) and permanently archive on YouTube an uncommentated version of (at minimum) all GP and Championship performances, and then let the broadcasters buy the rights to their value-added (in the form of the commentary) version only, which they can protect however they please. I doubt they have the funds to do professional-quality filming at Senior Bs and Challengers, there are so many, but it would be lovely if they could...

Amen!

Giltedge · Dec 6, 2018

apgold said:
Meagan Duhamel will be commentating with Ted during the Final on YouTube.

Looking forward to hearing them!

hwell: bah, there probably goes the respectful silence at the heart of Ted's acclaimed approach. Let us see.

Fluture · Dec 6, 2018

Meagan, if you are silent during the performance we will accept and cherish you. Otherwise... not. I‘m sorry but at the moment I can‘t imagine anyone else commentating with Ted.

We‘ll see.

JGP free live streams boost figure skating views worldwide

ice coverage

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Colonel Green

el henry

Go have some cake. And come back with jollity.

mrrice

Jeanie19

slowparade

satine

v Yuki Ishikawa v

Harriet

Lester

Piper and Paul are made of magic dust and unicorns

DenissVFan

ice coverage

avatar credit: @miyan5605

Fluture

chopinskate

Miller

Harriet

ladyjane

apgold

cheerknithanson

Giltedge

Fluture

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