Belize City Lion wrote: ↑Fri Oct 19, 2018 9:44 am
Toppy Vann wrote: ↑Thu Oct 18, 2018 2:54 pm
David wrote: ↑Thu Oct 18, 2018 1:32 pm
Interesting nugget on the radio today. LU mentioned on the Halford & Brough Show that the Lions average about 110K local TV viewers for their games which he deemed "decent."
I worked out that our national TV viewership for all 15 Lions games this season averages 493,867, which means that 22% of eyeballs are local.
Somehow, I just can't see the Whitecaps drawing 110K local TV viewers in this market.
DH
Agreed.
I think the TSN coverage which dramatically improved in number of games and quality of the extras you get as well as double headers have detracted from the gate itself. However, on balance the CFL cannot thrive and be sustainable without the TSN coverage.
The CFL was ahead of the curve in some ways by realizing that the sustainability of the league was going to come from TV revenue. The CFL made the right decision to put all their games on TSN (and only TSN). TSN in turn realized that they now had a property that if properly cultivated would not only be a money maker but a flagship for their network. As hockey and baseball moved to Rogers, TSN (Bell) doubled down on the CFL and it is paying off big time for both the broadcaster and the league.
Unfortunately, a few teams (such as the Lions) did not seem to grasp their role in this new business model. Particularly the Lions, under Skulsky, saw the spike in TV ratings and began to believe that their tickets should now grow in value as well. Ticket prices went up, foolishly believing that attending a Lions game would enjoy the same cachet as going to see the Canuck (or Seahawks). It didn't and as ticket prices rose attendance fell.
What Skulsky failed to understand is that fans in attendance were now really just extras for the show being broadcast on TV. As soon as TSN started paying enough so each team could meet their salary cap, the league stopped being a "gate driven" business and became a TV show. A big crowd makes the TV show better to watch. A big crow also makes the live experience better for the fans in attendance. Instead of worrying about how to "compete" with TV, the Lions should embrace TV as their main source of guaranteed revenue and then look at filling the stadium to enhance their bread & butter. Fans who go to games are also more likely to buy merchandise (check how much the Riders make EVERY game day!).
If I were the Lions I would rather have 45,000 paying $22 per ticket than 19,000 paying $50 per ticket. I'm sure TSN would prefer that as well.
Herein are the operative or INoperative words in your post:
If I were the Lions I would rather have 45,000 paying $22 per ticket than 19,000 paying $50 per ticket. I'm sure TSN would prefer that as well.
It's the fear that 45,000 won't pay $22 that keeps the prices as they are now as well as the marketing principle that if it's too low, it's not considered valued and won't be purchased.
What I fail to grasp at times with the Lions is the weakness - in recent years - with their marketing message. The last time messages in ads resonated with fans it was the local Rethink campaign where I was so intrigued that I looked up who did them.
This was 2008:
This was very edgy and very correct:
https://www.coloribus.com/adsarchive/tv ... -11863005/
Print ads of opposing CFL players hiding in BC Place.
https://www.adsoftheworld.com/campaign/ ... nk-08-2008
2007:
Hamilton fan at Lions game.
https://www.coloribus.com/adsarchive/pr ... n-9923905/
2005:
Vancouver agency Rethink landed a Gold Pencil at the One Show this year for its "Cheering Works" campaign for the Canadian football club the BC Lions. But in this year's follow-up, we find out that cheering does have its limits.
Three spots, directed by Tim Godsall via Untitled, encourage fans to "Save it for the Game," by showing people who didn't. In one, a patient challenges his dentist's opinion as though the latter were a referee, while in another a man gets a little too excited about cookies. In a third spot, the funniest, a guy relentlessly boos his boss for canceling casual Fridays.
https://adage.com/article/creativity-ne ... ign/46365/
2003:
BC Lions – Ceiling Fan, Rethink
As this father and son show, sports enthusiasts and their accoutrements should remain in the stands.
=====
That was then - and this is now.
BUT it's a NEW and evolving world and social media marketing is huge these days as well as really segmenting the market and going after a wider number of niche market groups.
The Lions should try to get more local kids involved in marketing slogans and ideas and local art schools as well as work with college marketing programs to get free ideas.