TV figures for Sydney 500

[Downoz]

Sydney's Sunday audience one third of Bathurst

The OzTAM TV figures tell a very different story about the Sydney Telstra 500 than the urgers would have had us believe
Special report
December 8, 2009


For all the hype about the enormity of the Sydney Telstra 500, it was not reflected in the television audience. The Sunday viewing averages for the Homebush event were below those of the Perth round of the V8 Supercar Championship two weeks earlier.
While the key average in the five mainland capital cities was 401,000 on Saturday and the national average (which adds regional viewers) was 579,000 that day, those numbers slipped to 390,000 and 562,000 on Sunday.
The drivers' championship having been clinched on Saturday by Jamie Whincup would not have helped the Sunday figures.
The Sunday numbers for Perth two weeks earlier were 487,000 (five capitals) and 718,000 (national).
V8 Supercar telecaster the Seven network claimed the Sydney Telstra 500 audience was up 4.5 per cent on last year's grand finale (which included Mark Skaife's retirement from full-time racing) at Oran Park. Seven also proclaimed it had "strong audience shares" last weekend against the second cricket Test and outpointed the Australian Open golf.
Yes, the golf, also in Sydney and shown on the Ten network, averaged 276,000 across the five capitals on Sunday -- 114,000 less than the V8s.
However, the cricket -- screened on the Nine network and in which Australia has been playing a West Indies team that was being seen as an easybeat (even if that has subsequently proved otherwise) -- averaged 649,000 on Sunday -- 259,000, or 66.4 per cent, more than the V8s.
The V8 numbers would have been better, probably considerably better, if the drivers' championship had gone to the wire on Sunday -- and that is how and where there's scope for improvement next year. But the reality is that the five capitals average on Sunday for an event some of the hype merchants declared was "Bathurst coming to Australia's biggest city" was only one-third of that (1.182 million) two months earlier for the 1000km classic at Mt Panorama.
So Homebush has a long, long way to go to challenge, equal or top Bathurst.
For the record, here are the five-capitals Sunday averages over the last five rounds of this year's V8 Supercar Championship:
Bathurst 1,182,000
Gold Coast 717,000
Phillip Island 354,000
Perth 487,000
Sydney 390,000

[Oldtony]

Interesting figures Downoz. Not exactly the ones that some people were hoping to see.
Interesting is the drop off between Saturday and Sunday. While Saturdays play in the cricket suddenly changed many peoples view as to whether there was going to be a contest, I get the immpression that many people who watched Homebush on Saturday did not think it was worth tuning in on Sunday. The lack of good support action could be a factor in that. The minis are not exactly brilliant viewing.
I wonder how many people turned off on Sunday because of the hiatus in the middle of the Telecast for bike races, skateboards and so called entertainment?

[stoned pony]

Here's a thought: they switched-off because it was rubbish racing on a rubbish track. I've seen speedway races with less vehicle damage.

[Alan52]

The news is even worse for Homebush in 2010 when it is up against the Ashes Test in Adelaide.

[NewsStalker]

If the racing and track had been worthwhile, regardless of when the championship had been wrapped up, the figures wouldn't have dropped or been so bad.

But given that the track looked and smelt like Canberra - is it any wonder?

(Mark Skaife has a real aptitude for designing slot-car tracks).

[Aarrgh8]

Originally Posted by stoned pony

Here's a thought: they switched-off because it was rubbish racing on a rubbish track. I've seen speedway races with less vehicle damage.

Don't be too hard on Mark. He has to work with what he's given. Have a look at Homebush, and tell me how you'd have done it - keeping in mind the constraints from all directions, like the Greens, the RTA, the police, etc, etc.

Great event (from what I hear from people I know who went, even if they didn't pay). They didn't see much, but they tell me it was great.

[NewsStalker]

Turn left turn left turn left turn right turn left turn left turn left - lookout narrow road - turn left oops too narrow...

[TSR]

Waiting for the Black Wiggle reply---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Waiting, waiting. Oh well xmas is coming.

[retro]

Originally Posted by Aarrgh8

Don't be too hard on Mark. He has to work with what he's given. Have a look at Homebush, and tell me how you'd have done it - keeping in mind the constraints from all directions, like the Greens, the RTA, the police, etc, etc.

Great event (from what I hear from people I know who went, even if they didn't pay). They didn't see much, but they tell me it was great.

The people who didn't pay as you said in all likely-hood got their tickets as a corporate gift/promo so the tickets would have been paid for by the relevant sponsor/whatever. GST paid so no drama and the people you know get a day out of the house without them having to purchase the tickets.

Win win all round.

I've been to the Gold Coast quite a few times and I could have just sat there and complained and moaned but I walked round the circuit a few times every time I was there to see the race from different vantage points, went through the pits quite a bit, did some girl watching, never even looked at a big screen as I was too busy and I always had a fantastic time.

It was all about the the experience. Even had a drink and an ice cream in the old ANA Hotel.

[D.R.T.]

All about the experience not about the motorsport - I hear you retro

As for spectators getting up and walking the circuit - supposedly no one ever wanted to do this at Eastern Creek, why would they do this at Homebush?

[Woolley]

Other threads for that, lets keep this one to the TV else I'll just merge the lot.

Add one to the viewing figures tonight as I have it recorded from overnight Monday to watch.

[NewsStalker]

5 second delay transmission huh?

[Robert Ryan]

As for spectators getting up and walking the circuit - supposedly no one ever wanted to do this at Eastern Creek, why would they do this at Homebush?

Near impossible at that goat track.Most people who walk at EC are in the process of Leaving the facility.

[Juarez Jed]

I don't think the title being already decided would have been a big turn off for viewers on Sunday. If anything they would have tuned in to see a race with the "gloves off" so to speak. If you like watching V8's you will watch regardless of the title consequences surely.
I think it was either people couldn't spend 2 days in a row watching tele when there was Xmas parties to go to and shopping 2 be done, or they turned off during the cycle races or the tap dancing and didn't come back. No doubt there were some who would have watched Saturday to check out the new track and maybe weren't that impressed so didn't come back Sunday, but I can't work out why they would have watched both days from Wanneroo if they are only casual fans ?

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by NewsStalker

If the racing and track had been worthwhile, regardless of when the championship had been wrapped up, the figures wouldn't have dropped or been so bad.

But given that the track looked and smelt like Canberra - is it any wonder?

(Mark Skaife has a real aptitude for designing slot-car tracks).

I don't think it was as bad as Canberra. But not anywhere as good as they made it out to be before it was built.

Skaife I thought had a hand in the Townsville track and I thought that was awesome.

[stoned pony]

Originally Posted by Aarrgh8

Don't be too hard on Mark. He has to work with what he's given. Have a look at Homebush, and tell me how you'd have done it - keeping in mind the constraints from all directions, like the Greens, the RTA, the police, etc, etc.

Great event (from what I hear from people I know who went, even if they didn't pay). They didn't see much, but they tell me it was great.

How would I have done it? I'd have asked the teams and the audience to go 20 minutes further west to a plac e called Eastern creek, thereby saving the people of NSW $30 million a year and giving the drivers a proper track on which to race.

"Race": it means to compete with each other rather than try not to hang the car off the Turn 8 wall or deal with the stupidity Matthew White nicknamed "The Dog's Leg".

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by stoned pony

How would I have done it? I'd have asked the teams and the audience to go 20 minutes further west to a plac e called Eastern creek, thereby saving the people of NSW $30 million a year and giving the drivers a proper track on which to race.

You're entitled to your opinion but you need to get your facts right. It is 30 mill capped OVER 5 YEARS, not 30 mill per year.

[racer69]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

Near impossible at that goat track.Most people who walk at EC are in the process of Leaving the facility.

Anyone not backing Homebush seems to be tabbed as an ARDC member... i'm just wondering where my membership is? Is it in the mail?

I'm trying to work out how it's near impossible to walk Eastern Creek? The Creek doesn't seem to have much trouble drawing in crowds for concerts either... they even go onto the track for it

[Robert Ryan]

Anyone not backing Homebush seems to be tabbed as an ARDC member... i'm just wondering where my membership is? Is it in the mail?

I'm trying to work out how it's near impossible to walk Eastern Creek? The Creek doesn't seem to have much trouble drawing in crowds for concerts either... they even go onto the track for it

Problem is you are stuck there when you do go there..dreadful place. Best view is exiting the facility.

You're entitled to your opinion but you need to get your facts right. It is 30 mill capped OVER 5 YEARS, not 30 mill per year.

Correct.

[NewsStalker]

It is 30 mill capped OVER 5 YEARS, not 30 mill per year.

$30 million is $30 million - regardless of whether it is over 5 years, each year or a hundred years.

It is still $31 million too much to be spent on a temporary circuit.

[racer69]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

Problem is you are stuck there when you do go there..dreadful place. Best view is exiting the facility.

Where is there to go in the Homebush Olympic Precinct?

[GTRMagic]

[mod]
ENOUGH!

This topic is for teev ratings.

If you want to bleat and moan about the demise of V8Supercar, wasting NSW Government money or any other junk not to do with whether the event rated well on the teev, start another thread

But be careful. This is getting VERY TIRESOME to read every single post saying how bad the event is.

It was a good event. We can make it better. There is a thread about that too!!!

[/mod]

[Robert Ryan]

It is still $31 million too much to be spent on a temporary circuit.

$40 million + on a white elephant. WSID and the Kart track are the best things to come out of that abomination. Hopefully Paramatta Speedway can be relocated there and allow the whole site to become a valueable contribution to motorsport in Sydney.

[Woolley]

Well, score 1½ here for viewing figures.

Watched the first race in full. Inordinately dull punctuated by dumb crashes.

Watched most of the second at x12 speed, stopping only to check the dumb crashes.

[sizzle]

LOL at Woolley. You can't say that, it was the most awesome event ever. Just ask Cromley