Thread: DTM 2018 DTM schedule
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Old 7 Sep 2017, 12:24 (Ref:3765170)   #8
DS"
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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DS" should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
One of the potential lifelines for DTM could be a TV deal for 2018:

The current broadcaster, the ARD with their first program, has done an absolutely crappy job in properly promoting the DTM over the last 12 years, since they exclusively show the series. This year alone, they didn't show the restart from the sunday race at Norisring, because an interview the Green Party candidate for the upcoming federal election here was more important. This is just an example out of many. Hell, even being ad free isn't a saving grace anymore: The DTM already streams the races ad free on YouTube, even with proper commentary.

However: The rights landscape on German TV is about to change for 2018. It's very likely that Formula One is going to move most races on German pay tv, with sky most likely picking up the races. That would leave six free tv races and the ARD is a very likely contender to pick up these races, along with long time broadcaster RTL.* Furthermore, it is very likely that the ARD and the DTM will end their partnership after this season. So, if ARD gets Formula One, RTL may pick up DTM as a consolation price. Given that the DTM's future is in doubt, the rights may not even be that expensive. And if DTM fails, Formula E may become available in the future. However: RTL has proven that they can promote seemingly niche sports and make them big. They basically made Formula One and Boxing huge events in the 1990's. It did help that they also had heroes to promote, like Michael Schumacher in Formula One. And while DTM may not have heroes on the scale of Schumacher, they have drivers with the potential to become at least known names among the Jens Mustermanns in Germany. So if the DTM does make a deal with RTL in 2018, it may be a chance, maybe the last chance for DTM to grow back a little bit.

*The joys of public rights TV: The ARD couldn't do **** with DTM, yet they are willing to pick up Formula One for the ratings, so they can have a prestigious broadcasting right. License fee funded TV can be disgusting, especially in Germany.
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