Hello all

I would like to try and answer a few of the questions being posed here if possible, but I must stress that I am not going to get involved in the argument with Colin or anyone else over this. I am just presenting a few facts and trying to clear up some of the grey areas that have been highlighted.

As part of an on-going process to improve the commercial revenues that the Isle of Man TT Races generates the DTL has reviewed all of the commercial contracts associated with the TT.

The Television contract, which has been in place for a number of years, was due for review ahead of the 2009 TT races as part of the Government requirement to ensure fair and proper practice in the awarding of all commercial contracts. The TT races television contract represents an excellent opportunity to promote the Isle of Man as well as the TT and the Department have to maximise the opportunity by working with the company that it believe's will deliver the best return. Any revenue generated by the TT races is invested back into the event, with a particular focus on safety.

All interested parties were invited to submit a tender document and the leading four companies were invited to present their ideas in person. There seems to be a belief that this process involved Greenlight and one other company. The reality is that there were four companies involved in the tender.

North One have been chosen because they presented the strongest tender to build the TT into a world class sports brand. Their presentation demonstrated the best understanding of how the event can grow and also how both the TT races and the Isle of Man can benefit from comprehensive, global TV coverage, helping ultimately to attract more visitors and investment to the island.

As a company North One are one of Europe’s biggest and most respected production companies with a wide range of programming across sport, factual and general entertainment. As part of All3Media Group North One has a reputation for high end live sport productions including award winning work for Formula One on ITV and as global host broadcaster for the World Rally Championship.

The DTL believe that North One will create programming opportunities globally that will appeal to a broader reach of Sports fans, not just those interested in road racing. In order to attract the kind of revenue required the TT must deliver a greater return on investment to the Isle of Man.

The DTL believe that North One’s proposals will deliver greater experience to the ‘armchair’ fans, who hopefully will be persuaded to visit the island in the future. The experience for ‘on island’ fans will improve as ideas are being looked at to show footage from around the course at key spectator points. That is a long term vision and may not be possible for 2009.

North One as a company has excellent links with ITV and will negotiate with them to show the TT in 2009 and beyond. The contract will also open up other exciting opportunities with television companies worldwide.

Greenlight TV have done an excellent job in providing TT footage to TV stations around the world and the DTL Minister has already gone on record to thank them for all their hard work.

Live television has been mentioned several times here. There was no requirement in the tender for essential live coverage, but as with any pitch for work you look for innovation. There is a possibility that a live broadcast may become a reality in the future, but it will be a professionally managed, time delay broadcast that will not compromise the reputation of the event. There is enormous value in live sports broadcasts, and the TT is in the minority for world class sporting events by not being shown live.

With regards to fans filming their own footage and putting it on You-tube, you will find that this is in fact encouraged. Check out North Ones WRC channel on You-tube for more. One development that will be realised is lots more multimedia functionality available via the web for free to fans.

With regards to the MGP and Southern 100, the DTL will be working with the organisers of both events to maximise all promotional opportunities for their events. Speaking personally I have had meetings with representatives from both events in the last day. A highlights DVD or similar will always depend on the market for such a product of course.

I hope this clears up some of the questions, but no doubt there will be countless more. As I'm sure you can understand I'm not on line 24/7 so it's not always possible to provide instant answers to questions posted by TT fans.

Best wishes

Paul

Many thanks for your response Paul, it is most appreciated.

Malcolm.

Paul Phillips Wrote:Hello all

I would like to try and answer a few of the questions being posed here if possible, but I must stress that I am not going to get involved in the argument with Colin or anyone else over this. I am just presenting a few facts and trying to clear up some of the grey areas that have been highlighted.

As part of an on-going process to improve the commercial revenues that the Isle of Man TT Races generates the DTL has reviewed all of the commercial contracts associated with the TT.

The Television contract, which has been in place for a number of years, was due for review ahead of the 2009 TT races as part of the Government requirement to ensure fair and proper practice in the awarding of all commercial contracts. The TT races television contract represents an excellent opportunity to promote the Isle of Man as well as the TT and the Department have to maximise the opportunity by working with the company that it believe's will deliver the best return. Any revenue generated by the TT races is invested back into the event, with a particular focus on safety.

All interested parties were invited to submit a tender document and the leading four companies were invited to present their ideas in person. There seems to be a belief that this process involved Greenlight and one other company. The reality is that there were four companies involved in the tender.

North One have been chosen because they presented the strongest tender to build the TT into a world class sports brand. Their presentation demonstrated the best understanding of how the event can grow and also how both the TT races and the Isle of Man can benefit from comprehensive, global TV coverage, helping ultimately to attract more visitors and investment to the island.

As a company North One are one of Europe’s biggest and most respected production companies with a wide range of programming across sport, factual and general entertainment. As part of All3Media Group North One has a reputation for high end live sport productions including award winning work for Formula One on ITV and as global host broadcaster for the World Rally Championship.

The DTL believe that North One will create programming opportunities globally that will appeal to a broader reach of Sports fans, not just those interested in road racing. In order to attract the kind of revenue required the TT must deliver a greater return on investment to the Isle of Man.

The DTL believe that North One’s proposals will deliver greater experience to the ‘armchair’ fans, who hopefully will be persuaded to visit the island in the future. The experience for ‘on island’ fans will improve as ideas are being looked at to show footage from around the course at key spectator points. That is a long term vision and may not be possible for 2009.

North One as a company has excellent links with ITV and will negotiate with them to show the TT in 2009 and beyond. The contract will also open up other exciting opportunities with television companies worldwide.

Greenlight TV have done an excellent job in providing TT footage to TV stations around the world and the DTL Minister has already gone on record to thank them for all their hard work.

Live television has been mentioned several times here. There was no requirement in the tender for essential live coverage, but as with any pitch for work you look for innovation. There is a possibility that a live broadcast may become a reality in the future, but it will be a professionally managed, time delay broadcast that will not compromise the reputation of the event. There is enormous value in live sports broadcasts, and the TT is in the minority for world class sporting events by not being shown live.
With regards to fans filming their own footage and putting it on You-tube, you will find that this is in fact encouraged. Check out North Ones WRC channel on You-tube for more. One development that will be realised is lots more multimedia functionality available via the web for free to fans.

With regards to the MGP and Southern 100, the DTL will be working with the organisers of both events to maximise all promotional opportunities for their events. Speaking personally I have had meetings with representatives from both events in the last day. A highlights DVD or similar will always depend on the market for such a product of course.

I hope this clears up some of the questions, but no doubt there will be countless more. As I'm sure you can understand I'm not on line 24/7 so it's not always possible to provide instant answers to questions posted by TT fans.

Best wishes

Paul

Yes appreciated Paul, Glad to see you are trying to help the other meetings, without any help they will just die off. I personally hope the gamble being made pays off but not at the expense of the fans and the other meetings

I can actually remember the TT being televised live once, albeit briefly. It was in 1996 which was, I think, the second year of Greenlight's contract. I can't remember which channel it was on, but probably Sky Sports. The start of the Formula One race was shown from the Grandstand, and coverage then switched to Union Mills. Unfortunately one of the early riders through Union Mills was Dave Goodley who crashed heavily live on TV. If I remember rightly the plug was immediately pulled on the live coverage as it was not known how serious it was - in the event I don't think Dave was too badly hurt.

This shows one of the problems with live coverage of an event as potentially dangerous as the TT, or road racing anywhere for that matter. Robert Dunlop's tragic accident at the North West this year was seen by many people on the live streaming. Perhaps the answer would be to have a short delay, perhaps 30 seconds or so, so that if anything untoward does happen the plug can be pulled so to speak.

I think Greenlight did a reasonably good job on the whole and brought quite a few new ideas to the coverage over the years. One thing that always disappointed me though was the lack of imagination in their vantage points. Race after race, year after year, every lap seems to be the same - Bray Hill, Quarter Bridge, Ballacraine, Parliament Square, Gooseneck, Signpost. Videovision, who previously had the contract, used to be much more imaginative and would make the effort to get to all the out of the way places. However I think the difference was that for most of Greenlight's contract they were under great time pressure to produce same-day highlights programmes for TV, so the camera crews had to be somewhere they could get away from quickly. Videovision on the other hand were generally just producing a highlights video a couple of months after the event, so could afford the luxury of filming from more inaccessible places.

I read Pauls post and it leaves a bad taste regards the MGP and Castletown races.

The post seems to says TT woohoo commercialism, professionalism, financial returns etc etc then ummmmmm MGP Castletown erm erm, anyhoo moving on North One are great, the TT is great. MGP/Castletown who cares.

I thought Paul was TT and Motorsport. Seems the latter (and confirmed by Paul) not the MGP or the Castletown events.

Having raced at the MGP for many years and collected the video's and DVD's (including some S100 events too) I was hugely dissapointed with the lack of a DVD this year.

Pauls extended posting answers many questions!! it also covers some points about TV coverage

As to live coverage of the TT , its going to be hard for them. I love, but am sometimes frustrated, at their coverage of the WRC, they only show the Spectator special or super specials as they are sometimes called live, and even then it is regularly breaking down. These are normally in very small venues, so how they are going to keep the momentum of the race live is going to be a challenge I am sure they are up for. What I love the most about their coverage is that they don't just cover the race they cover every aspect behind it, and I think this is something that has been lacking in coverage of the past. Just hope they do the same with the TT, maybe they will then see the potential of other areas, like the Manx and what can be a very good live race, the Southern, so all in all bring it on !!!!!!!!!!

Paul.

The Buzz of watching the TT can only be got from sitting on the hedges of the Isle of Man, I'm all for the right publicity for the TT but I find it hard to understand the reasoning behind the DTL decision to use North One and in the words of Paul Philips (its me Paul) in a hope the generated publicity would attract more visitors to the event, that's fine but how do we get the visitors here to the IOM at a reasonable cost and time. Where will all these new visitors stay. It could be the the DTL are trying to attract a different class of fans/spectators to the event, like what attends the F1, the big spenders who can afford whatever it costs to travel and stay. If that is the case then what happens to the loyal supporters of the TT who have came in years past will they just be pushed aside or only have the opportunity to attend the MGP, who knows.

Maybe that is the case and the preparations are being put in places to broadcast the races live (hope not) delayed yes, so that those that will no longer be able to afford to travel to the island can still see that action as it happens. I personally cant see the TT as it is losing money as any money spent here is new money and will circulate within the Island economy for some time, my opinion is that the TT is being used to create funds for other events that are held on the island that may not be financially viable but are still needed to help the dwindling Tourist industry here, until facts and figures are published on the TT in full we will never know if this is the case. I also feel that any broadcasting of the event will now include more footage of other activities and opportunities for business on the island, nothing wrong with that I suppose, but yet again is that what the true road race fans really want.

At the end of the day we can only sit back and see if the right decisions have been made.

"Giving you freedom to flourish"

That is the Government message and one I think should be remembered. North one has come in with a good tender document and a vision of promoting the Isle of Man through the TT.

For the Isle of Man and the TT to Flourish, we need promotion, this can come from many areas, it's just here we are talking about the TT. I personally think the TT needs to be pushed further for it's own survival and this starts with TV and getting it in as many homes as possible. As the Island flourishes so will our economy, that then gives us more money in the pocket, gives the Gov more in theirs and gives them more to spend...........and so on and so on.

Not every TT fan can get to the Isle of Man, year in year out to sit on a hedge and watch, do you not get a buzz when watching this DVD? As for the cost of getting here...........now that's a very different subject and after being charged £148 for my wife and I to go to Liverpool as foot passengers for 36 hours, I don't want to go down this road.............

Good Luck North One I hope it all works out well for you.......

CH1 Wrote:"Giving you freedom to flourish"

That is the Government message and one I think should be remembered. North one has come in with a good tender document and a vision of promoting the Isle of Man through the TT.

For the Isle of Man and the TT to Flourish, we need promotion, this can come from many areas, it's just here we are talking about the TT. I personally think the TT needs to be pushed further for it's own survival and this starts with TV and getting it in as many homes as possible. As the Island flourishes so will our economy, that then gives us more money in the pocket, gives the Gov more in theirs and gives them more to spend...........and so on and so on.

Not every TT fan can get to the Isle of Man, year in year out to sit on a hedge and watch, do you not get a buzz when watching this DVD? As for the cost of getting here...........now that's a very different subject and after being charged £148 for my wife and I to go to Liverpool as foot passengers for 36 hours, I don't want to go down this road.............

Good Luck North One I hope it all works out well for you.......

Chriss

Freedom to Flourish as you put it yes, but do you understand what it means. Its about attracting new businesses to set up on the Island and for the ones that already have to give them the help to flourish on the world stage. Now if NorthOne were to set up shop with a facility and new employment on the island that would be fine .

But you have hit the nail on the head, your own words quote >
and after being charged £148 for my wife and I to go to Liverpool as foot passengers for 36 hours, I don't want to go down this road.............. That's what the problem is travel costs, promoting fans to stay off the Island and watch the races Broad casted by NorthOne on Pay per view while sat in their own homes, is that going to help the Tourist and associated trades on the Island to flourish No. The DTL has to find a solution to attract visitors here to all the race meetings at a cost that is affordable to the man in the street, the same fans that after a day a the races will venture into our towns, spend a few quid in a cafe, have a few pints with friends putting new money in the tills..
The Isle of Man has to decide do we want a tourist industry of sort or just a financial bolt hole. If its tourist the fine look at alternatives, maybe go down the line of being a duty free island something that would benefit the tourist trade and financial centres. More British tourist stayed at home last year to take their holidays than ever before, that is the market to target, but to achieve this the Islands Government need to make an massive investment in new facilities IE Hotels, marinas, shopping centres, restaurants, entertainment complexes, doing this may provide the opportunity to have what all crave, a bike museum. Holidays in Britain are making a comeback, and the problems in the cheap flights to the sun are helping the British tourist industry, fuel cost another factor.
The Island has lost a lot over the years, one example the fishing industry and real Kippers, it was sold off cheap, the Island used to be the big player regarding the sale of kippers around the world they were famous, but like everything else No vision by the Government.
For the anti smokers, the island has its own Government and can do what it wants well almost. Build new pubs and restaurants with purpose build facilities for smokers out of the rain and comfort, allow tobacco companies to sponsors the races like they used to (F1 still do and need it). Duty free, being able to have a smoke with your beer will attract visitors and would create a lot of tax revenue for the Islands Government.
For all this to work we need a Government with Vision and dreams but sadly we cant seem to elect one.
Our old friend Mr Albert Gubay wanted to build a marina in Ramsey using his own money but was turned down flat by the Government, and look whats happened to Ramsey its dead on its feet and falling apart, other marinas on the Island are full and have a llong waiting list from off island owners, even Peel marina, not finished yet but sold out and look at all the work being done in Peel. That's the type of men we need running the Island men of wealth and dreams that have the money to back their plans.

Having not seen North ones proposed package for covering the TT, but reading Pauls message, I think we should greet them with open arms, as for someone who cannot get to the TT any improved coverage is welcome. The only concern I have for live/delayed coverage is that races are run during the day when people are at work. I guess they could be recorded and watched when home or maybe even the introduction of evening races? I wish North 1 all the very best and hope that they can do to the TT what they have done to F1, the behind the scenes, the build up etc are often better than the F1 race itself.
Good Luck.
Russ

TV coverage of the TT is a very good thing, good luck to the successful tender winners.

The Bathurst races in Australia are conducted over a mountain course, sadly no bikes now, but after they started televising the event live the crowd numbers increased. The old enthusiasts continued to come but a completely new TV generation of fans made the decision to come and see the event in the flesh. So Bathurst benefited by the TV rights income and the increased funds at the gate.
The IOM is slightly different, firstly it is free to watch but there is the barrier of travel to the Island. The TV income would seem to me to be almost essential for the continuation of the event; so, well done DOT if you have negotiated a lucrative deal.

One thing that has worried me for a long time now is that there seems to be a subtext in press releases and statements from the DOT which could indicate a marginalisation of the MGP. They say nice things about support etc but I just can’t help feeling there is an agenda to pacify the TT critics by sacrificing the MGP. Naturally I hope I am completely wrong (again). My feeling is that the longer you can spread the holiday attractions throughout the year the better for all parties. Equally the pre TT races and the Southern 100 encourage the extension of visitor stays.

With regard to tourist facilities not being adequate to cope with increased visitor numbers, then it is basic economics that if there is a demand in a market more players will see the opportunity and enter that market.

Paul says:
"With regards to the MGP and Southern 100, the DTL will be working with the organisers of both events to maximise all promotional opportunities for their events. Speaking personally I have had meetings with representatives from both events in the last day. A highlights DVD or similar will always depend on the market for such a product of course."

I hope that all will work together to try whatever each suggests, to get the message out to the world that we have 3 fantastic events for people to come to.
I had never heard of the Southern100, in the late 70s, when a friend mentioned he was racing there. As it happens, the Southern100 is the only one of the 3 which fits in with school holidays in Scotland, so for many years after that, my family made the pilgrimage to the Southern.
When we could afford it, the adults came to the Manx too.
Contrary to some posters here, I believe that all 3 events are family attractions... if they are not, then they are doomed as how will youngsters like my grandson find heroes like Guy and develop a love for the sport.
Promote the whole Island in the sporting ads, and the sports in the other areas of advertising.
Use the fact that different dates suit different people, and exploit every opportunity to show the TT/MGP/Southern on TV, whether live or not.
I think it is possible and acceptable to include the MGP and Southern in the yearly DVD, giving a more round idea of Manx motorcycle sport... don't forget the trials too, and a sample of the amazing Knighter's talent... you could follow him and Conor on one of their rambles in the hills!!
I think we need more of the paddock stuff, too, to show that our competitors are lively personalities. It's the riders we come to see, surely.
I think the young guns ads were great, and that approach continued in the DVDs would be excellent
Enough ramblings from me, the house needs hoovering....

I still think that most are still missing the point, the TT and the island has a very limited capacity in spectator numbers. Until they address the problems of expensive travel and accommodation and or the lack of it then the TT will always struggle to maintain increased arrivals at the ports.
the choice of hotels and self catering is in decline every year for one reason only, they cant survive as a business operating full for only two weeks of the year.
Who it their right mind would invest in a tourist venture here as the situation stands, when the Government gives out with one hand and takes a lot more back with the other. The island has to focus on the rest of the year, more support has to be given to the MGP and S100 that's the weeks when capacity outstrips supply. By promoting these events more, might attract more visitors, but as I said earlier UK visitors expect a lot more these days and the Island lacks this in quite a few departments. I also have to agree with Don I too think there is some hidden agenda with the MGP.

Just say the new decision to change the TV company this year, doubles the revenue from previous years, what percentage will go to the TT, sorry will all revenue made from TV broadcasting of the TT be put back into the TT the following year.

Would any laws be broken if a team of fans were to get together and take videos of the races from vantage points that were accessible to broadband and load them on youtube every lap, its very possible to do.

FC Wrote:Would any laws be broken if a team of fans were to get together and take videos of the races from vantage points that were accessible to broadband and load them on youtube every lap, its very possible to do.

Sorry to be a little rude with my first post.
But I'm sure Paul Phlips said,

"With regards to fans filming their own footage and putting it on You-tube, you will find that this is in fact encouraged."

barry Wrote:

FC Wrote:Would any laws be broken if a team of fans were to get together and take videos of the races from vantage points that were accessible to broadband and load them on youtube every lap, its very possible to do.

Sorry to be a little rude with my first post.
But I'm sure Paul Phlips said,

"With regards to fans filming their own footage and putting it on You-tube, you will find that this is in fact encouraged."

Welcome to the Forum.
I should have said on the same day or during the race which is possible if in the right locations.

thank you for the kind welcome.

And sorry to appear rude again but I fail to see your point and you have failed to answer mine.

I'm not following FC's reasoning.
On the one hand he doesn't want live streaming cos then people would stay at home and watch instead of coming here, then he says they can't come here because we can't accomodate them.
Well, how many came for the Centenary, or was that a mirage. they all found somewhere to put their heads down.
Show them as much as possible about the TT/Manx/Southern... they will know it can only be better for real, and then let them come in their droves... we'll cope.

Whats your question Barry.

Helen Has it not be said that they want to improve the image of the TT. and are to target a different market of visitor.
What is the different market of visitor. What image of the TT needs changing. The centenary TT was a one off, People have not got the same amount of spare cash that they used to have, Holidays to the sun are to double in price so the days of people taking two holidays a year are thin.
I tried to book flights for some friends today, they wanted to travel from London to the IOM 29May rt 6 June 09 Guess what none of the airlines are taking bookings that far ahead to the Island, how can people plan their Holidays if they cant get travel bookings, at the same time I made bookings for myself to leave the Island with the same airline for Nov Aug 09.
As I said the the new breed of tourist expect more now, and with the weather we get they need better accommodations and activities.
I can understand when they say Broadcast the TT to different markets and it will possibly raise some extra revenue, but will it bring more spectators here. CH1 said it he traveled to Liverpool by boat and it cost £146 for a day for 2 people. If the prices continue to go up to travel to the Island who will be able to afford to come. Im off to London for a meeting and the cheapest flight a could get was £286 rtn thats more than im paying to fly to Daytona in March.
Summary
1 Ticket / Roundtrip
LGW London to
MCO Orlando




Leave: Mon 2-Mar
Return: Mon 9-Mar




1 adult $150.00
Taxes & Fees $434.90



Total $584.90

car inc plat x7

Keep the cost of travel down and the TT will take care of itself.

FC Wrote:Whats your question Barry.

Oh dear I don't want to be making a fuzz.

The point I was trying to make was that FC asked a question here it is

"Would any laws be broken if a team of fans were to get together and take videos of the races from vantage points that were accessible to broadband and load them on youtube every lap, its very possible to do. "


But in the first post by Paul Philips (who seems very well informed)

He says

"With regards to fans filming their own footage and putting it on You-tube, you will find that this is in fact encouraged. "

It would seem that before FC asked his question the answer was already there for all to read.

Did you not read Pauls first post in this thread ? is I suppose the question I asked.

Great little site this with some very obviously well informed people and glad to be here joining in I think.
How do I put pictures on the forum ?

barry Wrote:

FC Wrote:Whats your question Barry.

Oh dear I don't want to be making a fuzz.

The point I was trying to make was that FC asked a question here it is

"Would any laws be broken if a team of fans were to get together and take videos of the races from vantage points that were accessible to broadband and load them on youtube every lap, its very possible to do. "


But in the first post by Paul Philips (who seems very well informed)

He says

"With regards to fans filming their own footage and putting it on You-tube, you will find that this is in fact encouraged. "

It would seem that before FC asked his question the answer was already there for all to read.

Did you not read Pauls first post in this thread ? is I suppose the question I asked.

Great little site this with some very obviously well informed people and glad to be here joining in I think.
How do I put pictures on the forum ?

To upload pictures/photographs, you will have to take out an account with something like photobucket - http://www.photobucket.com

You can upload your photographs from your pc to that account and then link to each one with the code that you are given within the photobucket site account, you can then create that link by way of placing the generated code in your posting on here.

Keep the photogrpahs to about 640 x 480 pixels for easy viewing by others and acceptable upload/download time.

Malcolm