Won't see Worlds? Contact the ISU

[schnood]

Apparently it's not just us in Canada that won't see the World Championships. Apparently it's only ABC in the U.S.A. that has broadcast rights for this year, then they're in the same boat as us next season. As it stands right now Canada, Japan, Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia...everywhere but the U.S.A. won't see Worlds.

This is because the ISU is asking for too much money to show it. Isn't it better (= more profitable) to get some money from everyone rather than just one network (ABC)?

Let's contact the ISU and let them know what we think.

There's a contact form on their website (http://www.isu.org)near the bottom.

Or there's snail mail :

International Skating Union
Chemin de Primerose 2
1007 Lausanne
SWITZERLAND

Or phone :

41 21 612 66 66

Or fax :

41 21 612 66 77

If you're disappointed about not seeing Worlds, don't just sit back and complain....do something about it!

[jcspkbfan]

Thanks for starting a new topic about this, schnood. I think it's important to realize this issue affects skating fans worldwide, not just in Canada, but the original topic I started about this still reflects that, so thanks for starting a new one! :)

[bleu]

That is the most scary thing than ABC or the rest of the world, imo. I am no expert in television but I think countries do buy something from the country hosting the world.

[ceceB]

That is scary that even Germany isn't showing!

I didn't realise so many countries weren't getting coverage. I feel guilty for complaining so much, at least we can watch ABC's coverage (as much as I despise it :evil: ).

[Gaela]

As I understand it, this is all about bargaining, and not that uncommon in the making of television deals. The ISU has to lower its prices if it wants coverage for skating, and the networks have to deal. ISU will come down, networks will come up, a deal will most likely be struck by the time worlds comes around.

Speedy is probably being a stubborn *** as usual, but in the long run a deal will be made I think.

[missflick]

Where does it say that these countries are not showing the worlds?

[bleu]

Originally posted by missflick
Where does it say that these countries are not showing the worlds?

from 1st hand sources - i.e. the tv networks themselves which of course I don't have as I didn't write to them. However, I did see the emails on the internet at other skating sites.

Rogers Cable even pitched in by saying not only skating but most sports are becoming so costly for the tv networks...let alone our famous slc 2002 scandal :oops: and the downtime expected post-olympics.

Debbie Wilkes is the one that said, the German t.v has still to buy tv rights for the world. Japan is sitting on the fence( :lol:...when the japanese say no...they mean it...love them!).

[Angelfish]

Big surprise - Australia isn't showing figure skating!!

[twinkle]

Does anyone know if Eurosport is showing it? This is the only coverage we get in the UK anyway.

[Aussie Willy]

Well nothing new for Australia. The last time we had worlds coverage was 2001. But we missed out in 2000 and also last year and will probably miss out this year. But then our skating coverage sucks anyway big time.

[Koala]

I agree with Aussie Skating coverage sucks!

I miss being in Canada, I was in heaven there.... ;) I'm still living off all the tapes from last year I got when I was living there!

[Helen4]

Hi, I got back a letter from
Debbie Wilkes about the sk. events tv coverage.
Here's what she wrote:
Good question. But you're not going to like the answer.

No Canadian broadcaster this year has to date picked up the international
contract with the ISU ... too pricey, with too many hiccups and too few
guarantees.

CTV/TSN still has the domestic contract which includes Skate Canada,
Canadians, Junior Nats and Canadian Synchro but for the GP, you're going to
have to turn to ABC for what I'll call "limited" coverage.

If my other info is correct, there are no international contracts signed in
Europe or Japan either ... so whether that means there is as yet no host
broadcaster for Worlds, I don't know. Could be messy!

And it must be getting rather scary for Ottavio and the other ISU boys and
girls who really can't afford to let skating slip off the radar screen,
specially this year! Their sponsors must be biting their nails down to their
knuckles!


:( The ISU has making very bad dessions
lately that is not promoting skating

[Emilieanne]

Well, if only ABC in the USA is covering skating at this time, then there are a lot of monies that the ISU will not realize because other TV media has told the ISU their asking price is way too high. I can only imagine that the sum of monies that will not be realized should this stance continue is substantial...perhaps enough to cause a real financial nightmare for the ISU. What I cannot imagine is the ISU tolerating any kind of financial inconvenience...after all, those perks and privileges the powers-that-be enjoy cost a lot of money to maintain.

Although I believe somehow that something (although I am not sure what) will be worked out, this situation does, however, present a golden opportunity to all the other TV media that has not purchased any rights to showing skating...think about it.

[LTM]

I'm guessing something will get worked out because some revenue
is better than no revenue which is what the ISU will get if countries like Canada, Germany, etc ,etc choose not to televise
skating in their respective countries. Or is ABC paying so much
that the ISU doesn't care. I rather doubt that.