Registered: Jan 2011
Location:
Posts: 65

TV ratings are up for curling, while ticket sales are down. My theory is that watching from home is a much better option than watching at arena.

http://hurryhardblog.blogspot.ca/20...eing-there.html

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Registered: Jan 2011
Location:
Posts: 1962

After 5 draws attendance is 42718 (numbers from CCA post game reports. Even Sat night was slightly less than the 10,000 mark.
Then again the Scotties total for week was 65825 (22 draws).

TV killed the tankard in Ontario. Very few clubs willing to work hard for $20,000.

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Registered: Nov 2004
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 221

Watching live allows you to catch all of the games and some of the little interactions that are not always caught on TV. I can say that part of the reason for the lower turnout on Saturday night was that 5-6 thousand people just stayed in the Patch for the late game as the party got started really early on Saturday (me included lol).

I do agree that TV is hurting the live gate but more so because of what it does for the flow of the game. After every end, teams have to wait 2-3 minutes before trowing the next rock to ensure that the games do not get too staggered apart with the feature sheet having to wait closer to 3-4 minutes due to commercials.

I personally will always take watching a game live over TV if for nothing else, the energy developed from a large crowd amping up for a draw to the button or 16 foot angle runback attempt to win a game.

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Registered: Nov 2008
Location: Debolt alberta
Posts: 100

i haven't been to the brier since calgary way back when but i think ticket prices might have something to with it. i would love to go but when you add everything up it was just out of my price range. if they want to fill it more lower the prices just a bit. although i might do kamloops next year as i have free places to stay.
i think this weekend will be rocking, i know a lot of people from my town going right after their playoff game tonight at our club.
i would rather watch in person except when a single game is going on. that kind of drags a little. love round robin stuff.
nick

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Registered: Mar 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 202

I sure hope the emphasis on tv is paying off because the trend to attend a brier in person is changing. The numbers from Edm are very, very low and will likely set a record low for the west. All I can say, is if you can't set big numbers in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina or Winnipeg, you're game is going downhill.

I thoroughly enjoyed every AB brier since 1980 in Calgary... but I won't be attending another one in person.

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Registered: Oct 2002
Location: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Posts: 1713

These days, with high-speed internet and Video-On-Demand, I can watch a lot of curling with no cost except for my monthly internet bill (I'm all digital now...just a high speed cable modem...no phone land line or cable TV, just HULU, Netflix, YouTube and websites). One a 50" internet TV, curling looks sweet for this homeboy.

I used to have a Canadian satellite dish...not anymore....don't need it.

Since I'm from Omaha, I don't have a privilege that some up north have with big events in their hometown. As an "out-of-towner" it gets expensive to view these events in person.

I remember back in 2003, under good exchanges rates, when I saw the World Championships in Winnipeg (you guys sure do know how to throw a party) and the entire cost was under $1000 USD (flight, 10 night hotel, full-event pass, bus fare, food and souvenirs). Even without the good exchange rates, prices were reasonable for a middle-class schmoe like me. In other Canadian events I've attended (1998 to 2008) when the exchanges rates weren't so generous, the costs were manageable and I could budget them. Not today.

Today, such a trip (worlds) in Canada would cost me close to close to $1500-$2000 as airfares have doubled, hotel costs have surged, and ticket prices have increased (not to mention taxes). If I do travel, it's more likely for a local event (Trials/Nationals or Continental Cup) or just a weekend excursion (bonspiel). Even then, I go on the cheap whenever possible.

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Last edited by AK267 on 03-07-13 at 07:04PM

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Registered: Oct 2013
Location: Rock Carrier
Posts: 2

Curling's like porn. Sure it's nice to watch it on television, but being there live is just so much better.

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Registered: Jan 2011
Location:
Posts: 65

Ha ha, if you're going to reopen an old curling thread might as well do it with the line of the year.

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Registered: Apr 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 45

I find curling to b more exciting then expected when you watch it live.

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Registered: Mar 2009
Location: Burlington
Posts: 638

CCA has never been very good at promotion..that is why Briars fail to produce in the Toronto area even though there are millions in population to draw from.

Personally I rather be there live although I admit I'm usually looking at the wrong game when a big shot is made!

One thing that stopped me from going west to watch is no hotel packages and the hotels jack up rates beyond reason! I don't care about the flight costs but paying $200 a night for a $100 a night room is not going to happen.

Perhaps future committees could look to speaking with local hotels an encourage them to offer a week long special.

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Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

I definately actually prefer watching it on tv. I hate being in arenas with big crowds, it always gets to loud for me. Plus its easier for me to yell when im at home. I know people yell out things from time to time in the crowds but i can get rather animated so its best if i stay home.

misty1

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 1120

I prefer to watch curling games on t.v. as well. I get as angry or as happy as I want without having to explain myself to anyone. Plus, I can reply a shot or pause the game when I feel like it. Only attended the brier games once and it was exciting but when that many games are being played in front of you its hard to focus on one game. Thanks tsn, love you guys.

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Registered: Sep 2011
Location: Quesnel
Posts: 420

It's better to be there. It is also much more expensive to be there and the CCA doesn't really care although usually local people are very appreciative.

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Registered: Oct 2013
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 4

Dr Curlbotnik:
Ha ha ha ha that is right like it! I always like to watch in person, but sometimes its just so much easier to watch on TV.

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