RubiconBob, I have been in the broadcasting business for a LONG time and do realize what is involved with producing and putting to air a TV show... I don't expect Doug to scrap 6 months worth of utility TV episodes just for me.

My complaint is that he has been and will continue to be focused on utility ATVs and Doug has been fairly clear about that. "Utility ATVs is where the market is at" His own words. Look at the advertising lately; not only is there more of it but every product is geared towards utility ATV owners which reinforces what he is saying...

I have offered constructive criticism, suggestions, and started a poll of what people want to see. The poll (except for the "nekked ladies" remarks) makes my point. Others have offered suggestions as well; although I am more vocal about this than most....

Well, whatever. It's a shame that the ONLY ATV show on TV is this way. Maybe it should be called U-TV for Utility TV???

 

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WyoDuner, thanks for your mature response (and not jumping all over me, because we are not 100% in agreement). I do have some similiar issues with the show as you, just not exactly like you. It;s nice to see a difference of opinion with name-calling, etc. The first few shows I watched, I thought there were too many sport bikes shown (racing and new model releases). But I do, and did, see your point about the recent spate of utility-based shows. I personally don't get the point of rock-crawling, preferring to ride trails, but I do watch and shake my head. 4 hours of riding to go 2 miles? But I know there are folks on both coasts that do. The advertising, well, if they're paying (and the sport-bike aftermarket business are not), then the show may be tailored a little more to the advertisers target audience. One other thing, there has been a larger percentage of new utility models or upgrades released lately than Sport bikes (like the DRZ-400), so he may be focused there because of the industry. One other thing, I read a few of those what-do-you-want-to-see posts, but didn't always respond, and there may be a larger (but less vocal) utility audience out there that just doesn't post much. Hell, I don't know, but bad or good, it's better than watching another "reality-based" show...and I like watching the ATV-based commercials, rather than feminine-products, or hemerroid ointments..

 

Ok, let's throw out a few suggestions here.

The big debate is always between sport and utility ATVs. While uitility has the bigger market share, I would bet the viewership is slanted a bit more heavily toward sport. But there are other market segments to cover: how about recreational quads like TrailBoss and Recon; how about a ladies test -- get a bunch of girls and quads together and see what they like and don't like; how about big old guys and guads -- riders sixty and over; focus on mud and mud tires; kids quads; transmission comparison -- ES, standard, auto clutch, hydraulic, belt -- in different situtations; what to look for in a used ATV; visit a few dealers with innovative approaches or service departments; boot test; glove test; goggle reviews; and finally...

...lets smash up a few things -- roll a quad down a hill and see what happens, drop a few helmets or drop cement blocks on them (whatever), see how far off camber you can tip a quad (no rider please) to see compare the flip point. Everyone would watch that.

 

Hi folks...90% of my riding is slow trail riding with a little utility work...i love it....but i can't see how it could be exciting to watch....we don't have atv tv in our area, but every now and then we do see some quad races....helluva lot more exciting to watch than what i do with my quad i'm sure....i have never seen the show but i would rather see a Raptor riding flatout than watch a rancher being winched up a hill...boring....zzzzzzzzzz....my kind of riding is fun to do, not fun to watch.....once every blue moon i get to open 'er up!!...and its a blast!!!.....utility atv shows have to be boring.....and that's coming from a utility rider!

 

I have only seen 2 ATV Telivision shows. The first one was acceptable but the one I saw last Wed. 4/3/02 was deplorable!! I can't believe he would think ANYONE would tune in to WATCH him READ FROM A MAGIZINE the mud tire test results/data, much of it repeated a few times. That was LAME!! Come on, I'm sure they can do better than this!

 

Ok guys, even I thought last weeks show was horrible! I have defended Doug in the past but reading out of a magazine and watching clips be repeated over and over is not my idea of entertainment. Doug if you are reading this, there really is no excuse for such lousy coverage of our sport.
Bearman.

 

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Okay, just like Bearman1, I am throwing in the towel. I will continue to watch, but I am not sticking up for him. That seemed to be a repeat, but watching him read the magazine, while showing the same video clip repeated over and over....Aaarrgghh!

 

It's hard to reply because you guys take the words right out of my mouth!His wimpy voice gets on my nerves also. Maybe someone new to atv's would like the show?

 

I hate to ask but... What did I "miss" on this weeks show? I didn't watch this week becasue I was too busy checking out my new cable modem which ROCKS.

 

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They were showing a repeat of the mud tire test: same view/angel, same spot, same quad, differnt tire, while he read from the ATV magazine article. I switched after the first minute...