We’re still trying to understand and come to grips with the ‘live’ simulcast from Singapore where, judging by the tweets, DMs, emails, phone calls and pigeon droppings received, most Hong Kong audiences managed to watch two races- the International Cup won in devastating manner by the John Moore-trained Military Attack and given a brilliant ride by Zac Purton with the other Hong Kong entry, Dan Excel, running the quinella, and another race that held very little interest and an anti-climax to the two International Cup races.
(Source: SIA Cup)
As an aside, having a race like this follow the Cup race is a bit like a attending a Rock concert and the supporting act coming out to do an encore after the main act has left the stage along with the audience.
The programing is all wrong. In fact, it’s very Duh Duh stupid, Einstein.
(Source: Scientificlliteracy)
Getting back to the ‘live’ simulcast from Singapore, what was promised and reported in the media was that six races would be shown, starting from 5.30pm on ATV.
Nothing more- simply ATV- and which makes us wonder if those even promoting these broadcasts understand how it all works- and know the various ATV channels. We’re betting that they don’t.
(Source: Wiki)
So, we switched to ATV World, the English channel, at 5.30 and watched a few minutes of Wolfie Bear or something like that. ATV Home, the station’s Chinese channel was showing what looked like Dragon Ball.
As time went by and much channel surfing plus having to endure Michael Chugani on Newsline screeching at some bloke about whether he is a patriot, came a voice-over announcing that the races from Singapore were on next.
(Source: The Who)
This was now 8pm and on appeared Jo McKinnon and Michael Cox who greeted viewers- and mentioned the incredible win of Lucky Nine.
(Source: Perth Now)
Earlier, tweets from Oz gave the same news. Some even tweeted us that great win long before the race was repeated on ATV World.
Ironically, many in Hong Kong never saw it- ‘live’. They were trying to find where the hell this OTHER simulcast was being shown in Hong Kong.
Later, after the horses had bolted, we learnt the races were shown on ATV HD. Huh? There is an ATV HD? Where? With Carmen Santiago?
(Source: Share TV)
Meanwhile, JoJo and Coxy were professional, informative and very good, but why they were made to be seated inside a Barbie tea party set made their hard work look amateurish.
(Source: Twitter)
Hell, it was the same cramped set where JoJo was plonked behind two tatty oil drums during the simulcast from Dubai.
(Source: Patterson Oil)
Like The Thunderbirds Are Go set from where The Trio Los Amigos give us their thoughts via Racing To Win, these sets, possibly designed by a school for the blind, they must go.
The colors- garish, the zig-zag designs, the Barbie sets- take so much away from the content. One’s mind becomes a Rubik’s cube and nothing clicks together.
(Source: Photo Bucket)
Hell, there are days when we expect Barney to come out for a knees-up with the Trio Los Amigos and Willy Wonka be seated next to JoJo along with his Ooompah Loompahs.
(Source: Energy Burrito)
The HKJC have two great sets in their venues Adrenaline and The Gallery.
(Source: Tac Table)
Both “say” racing. Lighting is no problem. Why not have these broadcasts recorded here along with any ‘live’ simulcasts?
(Source: Next Hospitality)
Also, instead of dealing with those trolls at ATV, have this programming made available online with ‘live’ streaming.
(Source: Calhoun Adventist Church)
This can also bring in HKJC blue chip sponsors- and give them added value- and not the tatty commercials for brands of condoms etc shown during the breaks of those ‘live’ broadcasts on ATV Home.
For the HKJC it means total control of its content.
(Source: Market Cues)
It also means a new revenue generator and, over time, new concepts to also cater to those newcomers to racing who still have no idea how to place a bet- but would like to- but first need to “understand the game” for fear of looking “silly” when amongst the hardcore crowd.
(Source: Clker)
RB 