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01-22-16 12:55PM |
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Jimbobogie
Drawmaster
Registered: Feb 2014
Location:
Posts: 538 |
From north of the border, here's one guy rooting for Erika's ladies. Saw them in Toronto earlier this season-still believe that they can pick up a medal.
...although I'll still be cheering for Canada when/if it comes to head-to-head. Strong American rinks, capable of winning gold are something that curling desperately needs.
__________________
Jim
Last edited by Jimbobogie on 01-22-16 at 12:58PM
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01-24-16 10:02PM |
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nomadicsweeper
Knee-Slider
Registered: Dec 2015
Location:
Posts: 4 |
a good boost would have been to have the c cup on US TV...
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01-25-16 09:34AM |
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peglegg
Hitting Paint
Registered: Mar 2005
Location:
Posts: 101 |
espn3 although CC would have been a good replacement for the other stuff they put on Friday nights
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01-25-16 10:21AM |
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AlanMacNeill
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2011
Location:
Posts: 1064 |
Curling on TV is in a very weird spot in the US...
The NBC family of networks owns the rights to anything that can be classified as an Olympic Qualifier or National Championship. Even though they don't televise *any* of it (well, other than maybe a heavily edited one hour filler show or if we're lucky, coverage of the Championship Game of Mens/Women's Nationals).
Those are the events that draw the eyeballs, at least on a National Level. As such, ESPN has precisely zero interest in devoting effort to creating and televising an event that leads up to the payoff event on NBC. Can't really blame them for that, business is business.
ESPN3's web only platform is a different bird...because it's Web Only Streaming, costs are very low for distribution, and since an infinite number of channels are available, ESPN can show anything that is willing to negotiate the rights cheaply enough.
In the case of *Canadian Curling* (Which is what the CCup is, as it's owned and operated by Curl Canada, the USCA has no control of the rights, therefore NBC's deal doesn't apply), ESPN's close association with TSN made it so the rights cost little more than a handshake...so we get the entire Candian Season of Champions. Since TSN was already producing it for the Canadian market, the marginal cost of providing that feed to ESPN3 was, maybe not zero, but within rounding error of zero.
Commentary about the fact that it makes it easier for us to see the *Canadian* Boys Championship than the US Junior Men's Championships is best left for someone that doesn't annoy everyone when they point out the flaws in the US Game's marketing plan.
TESN does a *marvelous* job when they are allowed and funded to do so. However, TESN has an uphill battle to capture the *casual* fan. Everyone on CZ knows about TESN...but there's noone outside the curling community who does (well...okay...there's probably a handful of folks who do, but those folks tripped over it or were told by someone).
It really needs to be addressed. And "Curling Night In America" is not the optimal path to do it on the broadcast airwaves, unless they were to leverage that *title* to show some live games from high quality cashspiels around the USA.
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01-25-16 11:05AM |
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Beermaker
Drawmaster
Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Kingston, ON
Posts: 559 |
Let me say something about TESN, I tried watching the Golden 3 times on the weekend, but I was truly turned off with that 4 way split-screen.
Gave up completely after that. Why is that necessary?
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01-25-16 11:08AM |
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biterbar
Drawmaster
Registered: Mar 2009
Location:
Posts: 695 |
If I'm not mistaken that is Coyote Curling's own set up. TESN broadcasted their feed but was not there broadcasting.
__________________
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire"-Winston Churchill
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01-25-16 01:40PM |
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TakeItOut!
Hitting Paint
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: Fairport, NY
Posts: 143 |
TESN
TESN is more than just BA and I. While we get a lot of the credit (and blame) for TESN, we have an incredible set of volunteers who take it upon themselves to do more than just point a camera down the sheet.
It's why I'm proud of the job that the Coyotes Curling Club did with their stream. They incorporated our scoring software in with what they were already doing and I think the output was really, really good.
We don't get to travel the country to help these volunteers get started. They figure out things on their own (sometimes with our guidance over the phone or email). Sometimes affiliates use all the tools we provide and other times, they don't have the volunteers to do everything. So every affiliate has a different look and feel. We only ask that our affiliates be able to show both houses clearly, because curling sucks when you have no idea who is shot rock. Coyotes Curling did a heck of a lot more than that. Thanks so much.
Without these volunteers, there is no TESN and no coverage of these events in the US. Thanks to everyone in our Network and those who aren't that spend the time webcasting events. It is the #1 reason BA and I started TESN, to see more curling, shown in a really solid way.
SEPARATE THOUGHT...
TESN does have an uphill battle when capturing the non-curling zone public. Even though we get hundreds of thousands of views per year, our budget is a tiny fraction of a basic cable channel. We really rely on social media to spread the word about the events we cover.
Because we don't charge subscriptions and all of the content we offer is free, we use free distribution services (Ustream in particular) to stream our video. That has drawbacks too (mid-roll ads in particular). With some recent youtube livestreaming changes, we plan to make the jump to that service in the offseason.
That will do a lot for TESN. Youtube is clearly the best service available for streaming boxes, devices, and smart tv's. For as much as we've been able to offer tons of National events, playdowns, WCT events, cashspiels, funspiels, and league games... it is this change that might bring more non-CZ eyes to what we are offering. Still, without an influx of cash, it is an enormous uphill battle.
ANOTHER SEPARATE THOUGHT
I recently told BA that I really liked the changes that NBC made in CNA this year. Despite the fact they stole the name (CNA was something I coined four years ago), they seem to be showing more rocks and the features seem more relevant. This is actually a pretty good time of year to show curling on TV (football winding down, college basketball just starting to heat up). I just wish the start time was earlier.
FINAL THOUGHT
We just shipped a half ton of equipment to Jacksonville F'n Florida to stream Nationals for the USCA. If that's isn't a good thing, I don't know what is.
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Joe Calabrese
Last edited by TakeItOut! on 01-25-16 at 02:47PM
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01-25-16 02:15PM |
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rbi
Hitting Paint
Registered: May 2014
Location:
Posts: 143 |
Loved the Wrench stream from Coyotes CC this weekend. It was a better quality stream than what was available for most WCT club events this year. I liked the four-way split, although it would be nice if the scoreboard quad could be used to show another camera angle from time to time.
And most/all of the draws can be watched recorded. How cool is that? Well done, Coyotes and TESN!
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01-30-16 01:17AM |
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tuck
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613 |
Another good thing is that I've learned to post using Safari for my browser. I don't love it, but Chrome has its own Flash and Shock. They fight with Guertzie's Flash and Shock. Gerry needs his to do the cooler ads, but it made typing a chore with constant freeze ups.
I tried it in Explorer, but nothing works better in Explorer.
Ben Tucker
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02-15-16 08:18AM |
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tuck
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613 |
With the points earned at Nationals, Team John Shuster broke into the WCT OOM YTD Top 10!
Impressive in its own right, it might also have significant implications. The Elite 10 Event in Victoria is a $100,000 Slam and I believe the field gets set tomorrow. Quite an accomplishment to play in that field that is considered The Best Of The Best. I believe that field gets set tomorrow.
It gets better:
Team Erika Brown also broke into the Top 10. While there is not an Elite 10 event for the Ladies, it still is quite an accomplishment.
Ben Tucker
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02-15-16 08:28AM |
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Phil_D
Drawmaster
Registered: May 2014
Location: Joliet, IL
Posts: 629 |
quote: Originally posted by tuck
With the points earned at Nationals, Team John Shuster broke into the WCT OOM YTD Top 10!
Impressive in its own right, it might also have significant implications. The Elite 10 Event in Victoria is a $100,000 Slam and I believe the field gets set tomorrow. Quite an accomplishment to play in that field that is considered The Best Of The Best. I believe that field gets set tomorrow.
It gets better:
Team Erika Brown also broke into the Top 10. While there is not an Elite 10 event for the Ladies, it still is quite an accomplishment.
Ben Tucker
That is awesome news!
Yup, it's top 10 YTD OOM as of today.
It also puts both teams in good position to qualify for the Players' Championship, as that is top 12 as of March 14th.
__________________
Recreational curler & resident armchair curler at Windy City Curling Club.
Co-host of the NerdCurl podcast & occasional blogger.
http://www.nerdcurl.com
Last edited by Phil_D on 02-15-16 at 08:34AM
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02-15-16 01:14PM |
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IMWright
Swing Artist
Registered: Dec 2014
Location:
Posts: 206 |
quote: Originally posted by Phil_D
That is awesome news!
Yup, it's top 10 YTD OOM as of today.
It also puts both teams in good position to qualify for the Players' Championship, as that is top 12 as of March 14th.
To qualify for these events, is this based off of YTD OOM point?
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02-16-16 02:22PM |
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tuck
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613 |
...and don't be sleeping on the Youth Olympics just because they are playing them on the other side of the globe. USA USA USA
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02-17-16 09:53AM |
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tuck
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613 |
World Wheelchair starting this week. More medals? Field looks a little extra tough this year.
Ben Tucker
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02-19-16 10:26AM |
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tuck
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613 |
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/...sports-councils
Another small arena makes a profit off Nationals! This is great and, perhaps, more important than it appears at first glance.
A few years ago, the USCA and Rick decided that having Nationals at an arena should be a top priority. It adds prestige to the event and gives our teams valuable arena experience.
The problem is: Arena ice is extremely expensive and making curling ice in them requires a large and excellent ice crew. These are big hurdles to overcome (especially the expense).
So the searches went on and on. Looking for an arena willing to take a chance. Looking, basically, not to lose too much money. Then Philly changed everything.
Yes, like this article states, much of the profit comes from curlers and curling fans willingness to set records for bar receipts and beer consumed in these small arenas. Still, if you have a great promotion/sales staff, the dream has been realized.
Add to this wonderful evolution an unintended consequence: We've stumbled across a way to grow the sport by scheduling Nationals in untraditional curling areas. Even in traditional areas, new dedicated ice can have a chance if community interest is ignited by a great Nationals.
So congratulations to the staff in Jacksonville. Congratulation to the USCA people who set their minds making arenas work in the face of fiscal challenges.
Ben Tucker
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02-19-16 11:40AM |
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AlanMacNeill
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2011
Location:
Posts: 1064 |
Apparently Vegas is making a buck off curling too...
They just announced this morning that the Continental Cup is back on US soil again next year...back at the Orleans...
And it will once again be Team North America...the "Hey, let's kick the US out every other year" thing has apparently been overridden by...well...let's see...63,000 tickets at 20 bucks each...
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02-19-16 04:04PM |
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MNIceman
Hitting Paint
Registered: Feb 2011
Location: Plymouth, MN
Posts: 159 |
quote: Originally posted by tuck
A few years ago, the USCA and Rick decided that having Nationals at an arena should be a top priority. It adds prestige to the event and gives our teams valuable arena experience.
Wish they would have continued to focus on making Nationals a prestigious event. Since this is the 'Good Things' thread I won't continue with my opinion of the HP program and those in charge.
While I believe both our Men's and Women's World reps are capable of doing well at Worlds watching the action (thanks TESN!) didn't leave me to confident in how they will perform.
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02-24-16 07:47PM |
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Phil_D
Drawmaster
Registered: May 2014
Location: Joliet, IL
Posts: 629 |
quote: Originally posted by IMWright
And Shuster is shut out of the Elite 10...
http://www.thegrandslamofcurling.co...elite-10-teams/
Interesting they put in Rachel Homan's rink, that'll be interesting to watch...
I guess some teams got some points so Shuster dropped in rank below 10...
I doubt they were passed over. They probably declined their invite. Here are the standings at the cutoff date:
http://www.worldcurl.com/oom/oom.ph...ar=2016&week=26
Jacobs was #7, Howard was #9, Shuster was #10, Thomas was #11 and Bottcher was #12.
Obviously Jacobs & Howard must have declined their invites. I'm assuming Shuster did as well...three open spots, add in 11,12 & Homan.
Perhaps some of the other teams down the list (Cotter, Murdoch, etc.) declined their invites as well and they decided to try something different? Or maybe not. I am curious to hear exactly what did happen though.
__________________
Recreational curler & resident armchair curler at Windy City Curling Club.
Co-host of the NerdCurl podcast & occasional blogger.
http://www.nerdcurl.com
Last edited by Phil_D on 02-24-16 at 07:54PM
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02-24-16 08:43PM |
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Jimbobogie
Drawmaster
Registered: Feb 2014
Location:
Posts: 538 |
Do you folks have access to TSN.ca ?
They're netcasting 3 draws a daw from the Scotties, most of them have 2 games a draw.
http://www.tsn.ca/tv#/TSN1
Tonight they have Team Canada vs Quebec on TSN1 and Northern Ontario vs Manitoba TSN3.
Must say I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of CNIA, but not sure we can get it up here.
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Jim
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02-24-16 09:02PM |
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Phil_D
Drawmaster
Registered: May 2014
Location: Joliet, IL
Posts: 629 |
quote: Originally posted by Jimbobogie
Do you folks have access to TSN.ca ?
They're netcasting 3 draws a daw from the Scotties, most of them have 2 games a draw.
http://www.tsn.ca/tv#/TSN1
Tonight they have Team Canada vs Quebec on TSN1 and Northern Ontario vs Manitoba TSN3.
Must say I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of CNIA, but not sure we can get it up here.
You hosers lock us out of it.
Seriously though, can't watch without Canadian cable.
We are, however, able to stream via ESPN3. The only downside is we don't get a choice of which game. But hey, I am not complaining at all, definitely happy to have it.
As for CNIA, you might be able to watch the already-aired episodes via this page:
http://www.teamusa.org/usa-curling/...ight-in-america
There are streaming links next to each episode. Not sure if it's geoblocked.
__________________
Recreational curler & resident armchair curler at Windy City Curling Club.
Co-host of the NerdCurl podcast & occasional blogger.
http://www.nerdcurl.com
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02-24-16 09:55PM |
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IMWright
Swing Artist
Registered: Dec 2014
Location:
Posts: 206 |
quote: Originally posted by Phil_D
I doubt they were passed over. They probably declined their invite. Here are the standings at the cutoff date:
http://www.worldcurl.com/oom/oom.ph...ar=2016&week=26
Jacobs was #7, Howard was #9, Shuster was #10, Thomas was #11 and Bottcher was #12.
Obviously Jacobs & Howard must have declined their invites. I'm assuming Shuster did as well...three open spots, add in 11,12 & Homan.
Perhaps some of the other teams down the list (Cotter, Murdoch, etc.) declined their invites as well and they decided to try something different? Or maybe not. I am curious to hear exactly what did happen though.
Declined? I'm sorry, with all due respect, that makes no sense. Why would a US team decline playing on quality ice against top teams? Maybe I'm missing something, isn't that what the US is looking to do?
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02-24-16 10:10PM |
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Phil_D
Drawmaster
Registered: May 2014
Location: Joliet, IL
Posts: 629 |
quote: Originally posted by IMWright
Declined? I'm sorry, with all due respect, that makes no sense. Why would a US team decline playing on quality ice against top teams? Maybe I'm missing something, isn't that what the US is looking to do?
No, I'm sorry, but with all due respect, neither does arbitrarily passing over a team that qualified based on the criteria outlined. I mean, that is what you're assuming happened, correct?
Honestly, neither of us know for sure what exactly happened. Perhaps we never will. Hopefully someone in the know can/will explain what happened. Whatever the case is I'm sure it's a simple explanation and nothing nefarious or underhanded.
Here's a thought, the Duluth HOH Charity Bonspiel is that weekend. Several members of Team Shuster are participating. If I'm not mistaken, they've been committed to that event for some time. Perhaps they chose to support this event as they have in the past? Like I said, just a thought though.
__________________
Recreational curler & resident armchair curler at Windy City Curling Club.
Co-host of the NerdCurl podcast & occasional blogger.
http://www.nerdcurl.com
Last edited by Phil_D on 02-24-16 at 10:15PM
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02-25-16 12:44AM |
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tuck
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613 |
I know, for a fact, that Shuster and Face Team declined their invitation to the Elite. Because of the unique Match Play Almost Skins format, there are no points available at the event. Competing would press them for time and they'd rather get to Worlds early and get adjusted.
Wise move. Eye on the prize. A World medal is within their grasp. Getting there a few days early and adjusting is the right call. Getting to help out the House Of Hearts in any way they can is just a nice bonus.
Ben Tucker
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