Being a fan of pro bodybuilding vs other sports?

[SuperTed]

He posts on here now and again... ask him yourself.

I could but doubt I'll get honest answers.

[FermiDirac]

Hmmm, interesting observations. One would think the  supplement industry would love a thriving web cast to advertise on?

I thought so as well, but reading about the Weider's pushing their agenda to increase revenues for companies at shows while keeping sponsored athletes at minimum payroll has changed my mind. Just looking at the prize pool, it's horrible in comparison to how much money a major bb event generates. The athletes are probably getting less than a fraction of a fraction of the revenues generated from a big show, the major part goes straight to the financiers.
Too much streaming TV exposure would, in some sense, empower the competitors as they would reach out to a larger audience without the need of company promotions. At the same time, it reduces the relevance muscle magazines holds over news of the bb world. The old muscle mags reminds me of the dinosaur music companies, clinging on to the old ways and always trying to fight against changes.
The problem lies in a stagnant and rigid industry, fighting new major change instead of adapting. Just look at the big names in the industry, some have turned down being promoted by a company in order to make themselves a name through other venues. DLB is a good example, and probably 10x more known to "ordinary" people than the current mr O.
Having people like her roam freely in the industry must be a thorn in the side of the larger companies, as her being signed to a contract would give substantially greater brand exposure.

As a judge, what is your take on the development of livestreams?

[2Thick]

Professional Bodybuilding and Professional Wrestling are the only 2 sports I've ever needed.

It's just a shame they ain't what they used to be. 

[6 Reps]

I thought so as well, but reading about the Weider's pushing their agenda to increase revenues for companies at shows while keeping sponsored athletes at minimum payroll has changed my mind.

I heard Lee Priest say that at one time in the mid-late 90's Reebok wanted to get into sponsoring bodybuilding.  The Weiders quickly shut them out.

[6 Reps]

The live streaming of contests certainly seems a reasonable idea.

The biggest obstacle with bodybuilding becoming a more mainstream sport is that contests are very boring to watch.  Unless you know who the contestants are, and/or know what you're looking at, each contestant looks the same to the average person.  And when you add in all the dozens of physique guys, the dozens of the women in all their different categories, it all just becomes deadening to watch.

One idea I have thought of is to make the scoring live and show it to the audience as it happens.  Think of gymnastics, ice skating, diving, etc.  Those are all subjective sports, rated by judges, and the one with the best score wins. Just like bodybuilding.   Also, you could have experience commentators, like in those other sports, explaining to the audience what's good and bad about each contestant.

[ritch]

The live streaming of contests certainly seems a reasonable idea.

The biggest obstacle with bodybuilding becoming a more mainstream sport is that contests are very boring to watch.  Unless you know who the contestants are, and/or know what you're looking at, each contestant looks the same to the average person.  And when you add in all the dozens of physique guys, the dozens of the women in all their different categories, it all just becomes deadening to watch.

One idea I have thought of is to make the scoring live and show it to the audience as it happens.  Think of gymnastics, ice skating, diving, etc.  Those are all subjective sports, rated by judges, and the one with the best score wins. Just like bodybuilding.   Also, you could have experience commentators, like in those other sports, explaining to the audience what's good and bad about each contestant.

This would all really help. If Chick is not busy having some weird schmoey guy assist him in doing odd type stretches, maybe he could answer this. His voice does have matter in the IFBB.

But the fact the Olympia is broadcasted in such shitty ass live stream quality, it's not even worth watching. It's 2015 FFS, and this is all they got to show us? Or what if they charged $5 to watch? The revenue would sky rocket...

[Mayor Of Bodybuilding]

At Least Bodybuilding is not Fixed like the Superbowl!  Game was Thrown and I don't Gamble

[jamesjenkinsfitness]

Bodybuilding Has 0 marketability... this is a country where planet fitness and obesity rule. Its a cult sport. With only other bbers or schmoes watching. Then sponsors. Who would sponsor this, sponsored by jintropin??
The average person doesn't understand or care.

[MCWAY]

Part of me would love to be just a fan of bodybuilding.
The reality is , there just isn't enough there to keep most fans interested for long, extended periods of time.

For example, I'm a big MLB baseball fan. The 162 game season plus playoffs, provides any fan with a lot of activity to interest them.
The NBA  and NHL  have 82 game seasons and a long playoff series. The NFL is only a 16 game season, but the analysis and coverage maintains a lot of hype and fan excitement. Any slob (like me) can buy the various satellite TV viewing packages and see any game they desire in real time or DVR it.

Fair or not, pro bodybuilding isn't set up to be a major fan friendly sport.
Don't get me wrong, I love watching and attending pro events. BUT, c'mon, how many contests a year will fans care to see?
The reality is that the current IFBB contest format could be as good as it gets for pro bodybuilding, as a sport.
The Olympia is the one big show, every fan wants to see. The other pro events are great, and allow fans to see the lesser known pros who have physiques worth seeing.

The one thing that  needs change is   contest coverage. There is no logical reason, why BB fans can't see a pay per view ,quality web cast of every pro contest . Perhaps other fans will demand this and support it.

There has to be profit for pay-per-view to work. I saw the WBF Championship back in 1992 on PPV, which cost me $15. They even had a 900 number for the fans to vote for the winner (proceeds went to the special Olympics). That's probably not going to bring a lot of money to the promoter. It certainly didn't for Vince McMahon. The production was great......would've better if all the guys had been in shape, as they were in 1991 (now THAT is how you would do a pay-per-view for bodybuilding.