I'm disappointed with the bowling community

[mickyd213]

I'll probably get smacked down like every one else who has their own opinion but hey... who cares.

IMO I think that TBS showcases the sport and does not promote it. The sport of bowling is not just limited to the matches that we see on youtube or tv (mainly matches with able bodied bowlers). I know that not every event can be covered but surely National events whether it be open, youth, junior and disabled would be covered. I think this would be a great way to show people that people of all ages and abilities can bowl.

I also think that TBS suffers from under exposure... Not everyone has heard of TBS let alone it being on youtube. I know that TBS has been travelling around the country and has been airing programmes for about 5 years but unfortunately the majority wouldn't know about it. This is not meant to sound negative but in reality the ones who know that a certain event will be on Communtiy television are the ones who are there or those that have access to community tv.

Apart from the advertisement on the TBA site for the Adult masters last year, I don't see any flyers in bowling alleys (In Vic at least) advising bowlers where and when the show can be veiwed be it on Community tv or youtube. Interest might be generated by advertising where the show will be recording next as this might just increase spectator numbers at events which could have a flow on effect for the show and the sport of bowling as well.

 

[Michael Little]

Jim your inbox is full

 

[Roysa]

Isnt there an issue with the TBS filming in AMF centres? I mean if thats the case then there is a massive problem in itself given most of our centres are AMF.

 

[jimcross]

Jim your inbox is full

Thanks, Michael-------Fixed.

 

[CHIN]

I know for many years if you advertised tournaments or put entry forms in AMF centres they would be in the bin within hours unless it was held in an AMF centre or that centre in paticular. It would be nice if everybody worked together to promote events & the sport but AMF was only interested in promoting events in there own centres.
Unless the mentallity has changed recently I dont know.

 

[Casual Observer]

I find your attitude towards those of us trying to promote the show (and by definition, the sport) horribly negative. You do not have to be offended, or are you feeling guilt? Dishmans comments were not necessarily directed at you, but you have decided to take the moral high ground in your continuing negativity towards the sport. If you have nothing positive to contribute (and it appears you do not from your comment "It was a great idea but it didn't work. Get over it"), it might be better not to contribute at all.

Yes, I have a vested interest in seeing the show continue, I readily admit that. However, I also believe that the show is a necessary ingredient in the future of the sport. What you do not understand is that we are attempting to take the show beyond community TV. This can only be achieved by continually improving the show as we are always striving to do, in order to attract interest from a national broadcaster.

You also do not understand the mega dollars that the Drexel family has committed to the production of a show we can be justly be proud of. It has cost them a family home and a secure financial future. It is incumbent upon as many of us as possible to ensure the show not only remains on air, but becomes at least profitable enough for the Drexels to at least recoup some of their immense financial commitment.

A financial commitment that was made to benefit the sport we (well most of us) are passionate about.

Promote it all you want, it would be good to see it continue. I have also said a couple of times that the people involved do a great job and good luck to them. Hardly negative comments. I also realise it takes money and time (a lot of both) to run the show. I realise the commitment people have had to put in to make it work over the time it has been running and well done to them. People should be grateful for their effort.

What I object to is the fact that you and others think you have a right to blame/abuse the bowling community in general for the fact that noone subscribed to keep it going. Why don't you go into the local centre and personally tell each member they don't support bowling because they didn't subscribe? You wont because that isn't the case so why post it on here and on facebook?

The negative attitude has come from yourself and the others who posted such things and not from the people who objected to your comments about the bowling community in general.

 

[jimcross]

Casual Observer - Quote _ "Promote it all you want, it would be good to see it continue. I have also said a couple of times that the people involved do a great job and good luck to them. Hardly negative comments. I also realise it takes money and time (a lot of both) to run the show. I realise the commitment people have had to put in to make it work over the time it has been running and well done to them. People should be grateful for their effort."

Hey, thanks, that's good - not everyone can or will be able to help with money - does'nt mean they're against the TBS. Some may not wish to come out in support without making a financial commitment, they may even find that a bit embarassing. OK, Ill start - I fully support the show and have'nt committed money to them - so there - I've confessed. I'd like to say that it was'nt hard to do. I'd like to.....but.............

Regards the part- quote of your last post, can we please just leave it there? That includes all the others who may reply.
Can we please - just this once - all pull in the same direction? Surely no one believes that the TBS is actually bad or harmful to Bowling?

UPDATE Grapevine whispers to me that even AMF is no longer offside ! Really !!

 

[Mark L]

Here is the questions I would like to know.
How much does it cost to run the show.
Where will the money go from the support they may get.
How much is it going to cost or how long before, to get on a real tv channel like go or something like that.
Is AMF going to let you film in there centre or not.
These are just a few question I would like to know for now.
Thanks

 

[Aussie]

Why dont you call up AMF and ask them, you can call Tony from the TV show anytime.
WHY do you want other people to do it for you.?????

 

[Sonic]

You know what, at the end of the day this is what is wrong with this sport all the bull**** and politics, we should all be there to help each other and help the people who help this sport.
If you want to support it do it, other wise let it go and stop all the bull****.
Grow up

 

[jimcross]

Been talking to another party, by private message, trying to find some alternate way to help. We're not getting far. Thought I'd post my latest rave to him, here. Don't expect it to either help or hinder. Frankly, I'm thinking that the bowling community is beyond help.

" Your alternate suggestions for finance raising is a good idea Xxxxxxx. I am surprised and dissappointed that not even one of the many people I have watched bowling on the TBS have come on to this discussion indicating their support. Actually this whole issue says all the wrong things about the bowling community - that is, every part of it.

Myself coming from a time when primetime TV featured Bowling, to now, when our only remnant of those times survives only by the private vision of those at the heart of the Tenpin Bowling Show, essentially one person and his family, and we ( TBA, AMF, Private Centres, and Bowlers - in any order you like) are about to just watch it disappear, makes me think that this signals the real end of bowling as a sport in this country. It may take a while, but I sense an inevitability in the air."

 

[CHIN]

Here is the questions I would like to know.
How much does it cost to run the show.
Where will the money go from the support they may get.
How much is it going to cost or how long before, to get on a real tv channel like go or something like that.
Is AMF going to let you film in there centre or not. These are just a few question I would like to know for now.
Thanks

Prettty sure TBS filmed the International challenge and the Masters at AMF Rooty Hill at Nationals last year didnt they.

 

[Michael Little]

I think the original numbers they were hoping for were around 160 subscribing @ $20/month, someone with a calculator can confirm that this totals $38400.

My opinion, perhaps the $20/mth is a touch high, ie compared to say xtra frame or similar. Other avenues could and have probably been explored to reach this total, it doesn't quite matter how they get there.

Far be it from me to tell someone to suck eggs, but I wonder if there can be a balance in terms of products offered etc, because as stated above, it really doesn't matter how they achieve this total, I am sure it has been thought of before, but people might be more receptive in a public forum like this and actually provide some sensible ideas for a change.

If the subscription is an issue as it seems to be getting people to pay $20/month, would a cheaper subscription be more attractive to more people hence achieving the same outcome in the long run? Adding value bonus to special access features from their own web channel perhaps or member only access to special features via youtube etc. What I am getting it, is making a point of difference to the usual now. Right now, anyone with a computer can either view live tv throught the current community broadcasts if they don't live in city areas (so get to view the shows for free), can watch them on youtube a few days after first broadcast (again watch the shows for free) and anyone with half a brain in computers can download and convert them to keep forever (again access for free). How many of the 2100 subscribers to the FB page would suddenly want to follow the shows were the access restricted as such to a pay only service?

Right now, I know of people who develop computer games, cheap, simple games, that get paid for the games and online functions because of the online advertising revenue is a goldmine. If there was some way to link this type of advertising to the show and help increase web traffic, the show could be funded in itself down the track.

Providing other products, packages using DVDs from the thousands of hours of filming they have already done, again a maximum profit for minimum expense venture. I know that bowling centres already pick these products up, and they get shown quite a lot, but is the TBS selling itself short with pricing for these perhaps?

How can we help to get these shows viewed on more mainstream channels, with access to more funding from advertising revenue etc etc. Is there anyone in the industry with TV contacts that hasn't stepped up before. $38000 to a TV station is probably what they spend on lunch to feed their staff for a day and if there was a way to get a foot in the door then the TV show could also benefit from the natural tweaks that the station will impose and become an even better product in itself.

When you put the sum of money up in lights, it highlights just how much this venture possibly costs on a regular basis for Tony and his family. I do also agree with some in that, people shouldn't be guilted into subscribing if this is a product that they aren't after, like anything in this world, there are many a worthy cause to support or follow, but we can't do it all. I would however wish to think that if people felt strongly about the product, liked the TBS and wanted to see its survival, then hopefully they would be inclined to subscribe, but I also think that having a diversity of the way the product is delivered could also help to increase the funds required to see its survival, it would also assist those that can't commit to a regular sum and may just like to pay here and there for various other products.

 

[jimcross]

Michael, Michael, Michael. Thank God!! Someone who has direct involvement through appearances on the show, and obviously knowing personally the people involved.

Yes, Michael, Yes!. Lets turn this forum into a place where ideas for the survival of the TBS, can be thrown around.
Nice and positive. It does'nt really matter that some ideas may be totally unworkable- even most of them. One or Two may just turn out to be brilliant. Like some of Michaels already.

Got to go - have an appointment. ( thank God, I hear you say.}

 

[Michael Little]

Ideally, it is up to Tony and his team to look at options and I am sure they have explored a lot of different avenues, I haven't spoken with Tony in any way shape or form, so I really don't know what has been tried and tested, but I honestly think with some focus, good fortune and specific channels to increase revenue it can be possible and potentially more viable to have a multiple way of selling the product other than just the subscription model. I think the goal is the total revenue required, how it is achieved through as many various chanels as possible is the key.

I think the internet is a definite source for ongoing income streams. I have no idea if possible, but Andrew or Jase would know, but joining with Tony in a sub forum or linked website to have the online streaming as part of this website, could possibly help to create more traffic for both this site and more viewers/subscribers for Tony and the show, increase ad revenue (or the ability to attract some more non industry main stream sponsors).

DVDs have a multitude of options, ways to promote, ie centre based ones with the Bowlopolis sections, as opposed to direct viewer ones, ie with the state of origin series or the challenge tournament from nationals etc etc. Maybe even subscribers to the show get one DVD of their choice at the end of the year etc.

I think the key regardless of what avenues are taken, is that there is a genuine perceived value and variety of choices and people also have to want the product in whichever form it appears most appealing to them.

 

[Jase]

What i would like to know is why is this posted here??? Why is it when something isn't working or going the way it should in the sport of bowling they all come here to post about it...

Tony used to be a supporter of TB and vice versa...He took his support and decided to try and start up his own forum in competition with TB when he thought they were the next best thing for the sport...Tb has been looking for sponsors and support for years to keep the sport alive and this site...TB used to sponsor events and top up prize funds throughout Australia with that support, the bowling show used to advertise TB on their TV show also but that all stopped also when they thought they were the next best thing to come along... ..SO THEN where ARE THEY now???

I have to say I am fed up by the fly by nighters…

Why aren't these arguments posted on and discussed on their site or forum, and if it is, why feel as though this has to be discussed on here??? I will tell you why because they know that EVERYONE still visits here and this is the best way to try and drum support!!!!!! I am guessing but I would say they have had more topic of discussion on this thread alone here than on everything over there

I tried to get added to the bowling show on FB to see if things could be worked out at least 10 times it was declined...Well as far as i am concerned they can get ****ed...and yes i can say that because i am not a member of **** all so no one can ban me and yes i will once again speak my mind...

If the main associations of bowling aren't supporting them anymore or decided it’s a waste of their time and money than why should bowlers be expected to pay their way…IT’S A BUSINESS and its been tough times in a lot of business and theirs is no exception…

No one has asked bowlers to keep this site running with monthly or yearly subscriptions or my customers through my mechanical shop...So why is it the bowlers problem to support there business…

END OF RANT

 

[jimcross]

Re Jase's self-styled 'rant'. Let me say that I think this site is the best thing about bowling generally, in Australia. Bar none !! Except for the actual bowling itself, when you're actually doing it - as I will be at Ballina shortly.

With no axes to grind whatsoever, I think that the Tenpin Bowling Show comes a close second.

If you two can't get on - what the hell hope have we got?? That's it! I give up! Won't matter to me if the whole bloody thing disappears in 10 years or so- I'll be lucky ( or maybe unlucky) to still be here then - let alone bowl.

I'm now a convert to Sonic's earlier post. - Especially his last two words - " Grow Up "

 

[Jase]

Well what do you know...After the last 12 months of trying to add the Tenpin Bowling Show on FB (to try and work together for the good of the sport) with plenty of declines i might add...I now have a new friend request...

****en funny how the tide turns...

mmmmmmmm what to do

 

[Chowny]

lol..... its like they only call you when they need you....

 

[BigDaz]

So much drama. High school all over again.

Most members here would be unaware of all the behind the scenes dramas/history that TB and TBS obviously have, but MOST people here know that this is one of the only places bowlers can get together and discuss such matters with other members of our bowling community.

I can see why you'd be pissed but

I thought the OP said a $20 membership, not $20/month Subscription? Thats big money, would we be able to expect daily or even weekly content? good content? Im all for supporting, but certainly not at that price. I think Mick had some good ideas with the DVD's. Make some DVD's of tourneys and sell them, i'd buy those.