why no PPV for the Olympia

[OneBigMan]

When the  sport is promoted  the sport will make money

The best way to carefully promote bodybuilding to the mainstream is with Arnold first before anyone else. One example of how that was tried lightly was when the Arnold bodybuilding-fitness weekend was shown on UPN in a edited broadcast with highlights in 1998. There should have been a attempt to promote a bodybuilding broadcast on pay per view by using Arnold's popularity around the time that there was a lot of hype surrounding him turning 50.

On the other hand, I'll admit that bodybuilding doesn't have a chance to work on pay per view in this era especially with the explosion of scandals surrounding steroid use in sports like baseball that are so connected to the commercial culture.

[Peaking at 45 !!!]

If this is true, its not good !!!

The last couple of years a group of us from the gym would get together and watch the PPV Olympia------------what are we gonna do now------all sit around a small tiny computer screen----------man-------this is definitely a big step backwards------even though last years Olympia's ppv had a ton of glitches, theres still nothing like seeing it live------who wants to sit in front of a tiny computer screen, or have to invest money just to get it onto a larger screen ? What the heck is going on here ? Who's to blame for this ?   

                                                            

[Ron]

I would estimate that to have a PPV for the Olympia costs in excess of $100,000 per evening, especially if it is live. You need various trucks, various people, and you can only have a maximum show of 2 hours or so, or 3 hours, but it starts getting even more expensive. Never the less, imagine how many people, trucks, live feeds and more to make a PPV. And then of course, you need a company, of which there are 2 or 3 to agree to broadcast it. They usually received automatically 50% of whatever is being sold.  Now, whereas we think the number of devoted bodybuilding fans that are willing to fork out money for the PPV is a lot, I just don't think so. I have heard reports of perhaps only 12-14 thousand people paid for the PPV, including replays. Take the amount by $20 or $30, and factor in the costs, and you find that you are losing money putting on the show.

Now, via webcast, and the company they are using is pretty good, you can get 14 hours of live feed for even the same or less amount of money. Bot shows, prejuding, finals, other speciality contests at the event, and you now have a good show. I hear they are using multiple cameras so that is even better.

The webcast can handle up to 50,000 people at one time without interrption, is what I heard.

For those who want to see it on television, they will be producing a one hour highlight show for TV. And then there is the DVD's, which you can preorder at the show or before, and get them later on.

It is a good deal, and whereas all will not be disappointed.

But better yet - get your ass to the show - and have some fun in Vegas. Meet the competitors, an expo where you can meet King Kamali at the Muscletech booth, a press conference, two good contests, and much more.

[fearANDloathing]

First bodybuilding was OFF of network TV
Then it was OFF of ESPN and cable.
Now not even pp view carries it!
The downward spiral continues, anybody remember the good old days when The Mr Universe was on in the middle of the afternoon on ABC's wide world of sports? 
Maybe Robin Bird will carry it on her channel 35 cable public access show

[OneBigMan]

I recall on a few occasions that ESPN devoted some of their time to show bodybuilding on their network. Most of the time bodybuilding would be shown on espn2 at very odd times when it wasn't listed in my cable channel guide.

I recall the 99 Mr. O was shown on espn2 in the 1st week of the new year in 2000 on January 4th because I was recording the Florida State-Virginia Tech game that evening.

At some time during the summer in 1997, espn2 had aired a number of bodybuilding contests where Shawn was doing the analysis of the guys that were competing while Lenda Murray was analysing the female bodybuilders that were in a contest.

ESPN was the best network to catch a number of bodybuilding related programs during the 90's but they gave up on that since who knows when.

[DR. NO]

too bad its not on TV.   it was funnier than comedy central.