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NBC in Talks to Create New Sports Series

Aug 15, 2011  •  Post A Comment

NBC is in discussions to create a new sports series that would debut next year, reports The New York Times. The talks are with the Jockey Club and involve creating a series around next year’s Triple Crown prep races, as the horse-racing organization seeks to reverse a decline in fans and raise the sport’s television profile, the story reports.

The Jockey Club is spending $10 million over five years to increase television coverage and create a racing series that will be paired with a social-network game and a free-to-play website. The TV part of the campaign comes after a report from consulting firm McKinsey & Company found that attendance is down 30% over the past decade, while betting has plunged 37%.

According to Dan Singer, a director in media and entertainment at McKinsey, horse racing will have 43 hours of national TV in 2011, while pro bowling will reach 92 hours of coverage this year. A decade ago, 9% of new racing fans said they found the sport on TV, but no recent fans singled out TV as the way they became hooked, he said, according to the story.

One Comment

  1. If they are smart they will add a reality show that personalizes the trainers, owners and jockeys. This is what will increase interest in racing. There are some incredible stories that are heartwarming. But there are also a few of those people who can make the Jersey Shore crowd look upper crust and would get good ratings.

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