Why isnt there a decent tv programme for boats

What about getting Michael ?? (somewhere in France) to put together a programme project on this. He's done lots of stuff for the BBC.

Bags I play the James May character :D
 
Or if you've a real need for speed...

Warbird:

http://www.turbinemarine.com/video_WB.html

I like the bit just after 3:00 mins when they're running at wht looks like I guess 40 knots, and then they really wind it up and the world goes into reverse!

Or

Platinum Princess:

http://www.turbinemarine.com/video_PLA_03.html

I particularly like the bit at 3:20 where they open the taps properly and simply outrun everything, including the chase helicopter..!
 
Infamous said:
a format roughly based on top gear, with a test of the new £1m superyacht followed by boating news, a celebrity boating piece (rock star owns Sunseeker and does 10 minute piece on his cruising grounds), a trailer boat challenge, a 'what now skipper' problem every week, and maybe a piece about navigation/nav dangers/how to, so the viewers are learning while they watch.

surely something like this wouldnt cost a fortune to produce, and if some of the major brands contributed to production costs and the program was shown on the right day at the right time this would be an advertising dream for everybody involved in the boating industry.
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i work in tv production and have done for many years. it would cost a fortune to produce and is far too niche for television. nearly everyone one owns a car or at least has been in one. far fewer have been in boats. also, television is a downmarket area compared to boating so brands are not likely to get involved - if they wanted to they could easily buy their own channel (seen oceanfinance tv anyone?) and put content there. additionally, from the amount of car adverts on television you can tell that car manufacturers consider marketing on television worth it. from the amount of boat adverts (i.e. none) you can tell boat manufacturers do not consider it worthwhile investing in a tv prescence.

sorry to disappoint. i'm a newbie to boating but know lots about tv production.
 
I'm afraid the argument that not enough people would watch because not enough people own them just doesn't wash!

Not many people have seen polar bears, killer whales or Meerkats (in the wild), but plenty watch about them on nature programmes.

Not many people own castles or country estates, yet there are programmes, even whole series about them.

Don't you think that such a programme about boats as described above would be successful simply because it's something not many people know about or have much contact with, but are curious anyway? Look at the success of Coast! People may only go to the coast once a year but that doesn't stop the interest in the programme does it?

It would dramatically increase the interest in boating, with all sorts of positive side effects.
Maybe people will find, as we did, that despite having the reputation as being horrifically expensive it's actually not much dearer than keeping a caravan in Skeggy for those with a bit of practical know how! We are, after all an island nation with a proud nautical heritage.

Best keep quiet about boats then, clearly not something we should worry the general public with!
 
Trundlebug said:
I'm afraid the argument that not enough people would watch because not enough people own them just doesn't wash!

Not many people have seen polar bears, killer whales or Meerkats (in the wild), but plenty watch about them on nature programmes.

Not many people own castles or country estates, yet there are programmes, even whole series about them.
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i'm not saying you couldn't ever do a show that has a boat connection but not of the Top Gear / consumer variety. you wouldn't get a show that is all about buying castles or country estates and reviewing them as such.

i did have an idea for a show about historical ships...had a whiff of interest...we'll see. likewise the show about sandi toksvig and that hostage guy sailing around britain / griff rhyss jones and 3 men in a boat / faking it about becoming a skipper. but trust me, a show that is just looking at boats on the market / how to sail etc etc will never get commissioned in a slot that could be filled with more mainstream interests such as property / food etc.

it is easy to go and have a look at boats in the average marina or at a boat show if you are interested - less easy to see polar bears. i know it's hard not to imagine that enough other people share your passion. tv is about BROADcasting. narrow interests don't cut it. internet, however, is different.
 
I guess you are the man well qualified to make the call ninky. :)

We will just have to be disappointed then. Shame that all the boating interest seems to be selling cheese out the side of a narrowboat or some duffer in corduroy and a beard perched against the back rail of a barge.

Your task for the coming year young ninky is to go forth, get funding and put together a boating series which includes, flybridge boats, sports cruisers, trailer boats, yachts, trailable sailboats, items on navigation and seamanship, latest kit, marina reviews, how to's and sunny locations.
Get Lakesailor onboard and we can have some top totty too.
 
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Whitelighter said:
Which is all well and good, but how do you explain two complete series/shows dedicated to the inland waterways and narrowboating?
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there was also "this old boat" for discovery wotsit channel. don't think any of these series have been recommissioned.

narrowboats are also a bit more historical / local interest oriented (like historical railways) and easier to film being inland.

however, if there was a celebrity angle, i agree there would be (sea) mileage in it. however, my impression is that most celebrities like to avoid publicity on the water.
 
Whitelighter said:
Hugos video made me think about it. There are a couple of progs on the telly for narrowboaters, three for caravans and camping, but non for offshore, coastal boats (both power and sail).
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You only have to observe the massive carping on these forums after every SIBS TV show to know why such a programme would never succeed.
 
It's cobblers for Ninky to say it would cost a fortune to produce. On the contrary it would cost almost nothing, particularly if it didn't use some "famous" **** to present it. It wouldn't need anyone famous as the content would sell it. Plus a small crew would be all that was needed!
 
Have to agree.

I am a TV addict and have a passing interest in things boaty(!) ;-)

I even have a TV on my boat!

Surely advertisers like Plastimo, MES, Force 4, EBY to name but a few would be interested?

A format of dream boat, 2nd hand buy, ribbing/ski-ing and inland would surely interest a lot of folks!

Everyone likes boats, you only have to check out the soectators at most waterside locations on a sunn.y weekend
 
Narrow boats work, because the programs are of interest to walkers, or folks into history, nature, or engineering. So it covers nearly every one.

If it was Top Gear style, I would not watch it for a start, I cant stand posers, or anything posey. Cant think what the second program would be about, except more of the same.

The boat show works, once a year. Think thats about enough.
 
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PCUK said:
It's cobblers for Ninky to say it would cost a fortune to produce. On the contrary it would cost almost nothing, particularly if it didn't use some "famous" **** to present it. It wouldn't need anyone famous as the content would sell it. Plus a small crew would be all that was needed!
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okay and you work in what field? and my 15 years working in television mean i don't know what i'm talking about? do you know how much top gear costs to make. it's a very expensive show - and not just the presenters. to make those packages exciting you need aerial shots, minicams rigged, then there's protecting the gear. overnights and travel for the crew. lots of health and safety to consider. insurance. more because it is on water - risk to crew and kit. plus weather dependant - it's likely you will have to stand down shoots at short notice, that has cost implicatioins. how exactly are you planning on getting all the sexy shots of the boats going along? you don't just want some grimey shots of gear around a boat show with some nerdy geek who uses loads of alienating language waffling on. much as i personally LOATHE clarkeson he has got a certain type of charisma that clearly appeals to many.

what exactly would you call this cheap boating show that would appeal to many, what would the content be, who would present it? how are you going to pitch it to commissioners who have many ideas thrown at them, many with household names already attached?
 
In Turkey we get Yacht & Sailing channel after 19:00 hrs.

But to be honest it is all repeats every couple of days, then repeated every month then every year.
 
I don't intend getting into an argument about who knows best. I have worked on various TV projects and and can tell you that the sort of programme we are talking about would cost very little. Forget the aerial shots and rock music backdrops, this is a programme produced by boating experts and aimed at boat owners.
Forget all the flash rubbish that ruins so many programmes and concentrate on the content, and try to remember Top Gear when it was made for grown-ups!
Much of the material would involve no more than a cameraman and presenter. When I worked on "The Bill", 90 percent of the resources on hand were not required for the actual production, they were there for the comfort of the "Stars". So yes, I'd say I do know more about the programme I have in mind than you do - oops, sorry, said I wasn't going to go down that road!
 
Ding ding, round 2. :D

:Sitsbackinthechairwatchingwithinteresticon:

Interesting to see who does what in TV.
Production Assistant Vs Cameraman?

Electrician Vs Soundman?

Producer Vs Director?

Chief Pitcher to the guys with the yay or nay, Vs Teaboy?

Whilst wanting such a programme with all my heart, I think Ninky's argument seems entirely plausible.
I don't know how TV works, but i'd have thought the manufacturers would have loaned boats, diesel and crew for free to get coverage on TV.
However I am naive in such matters.
 
PCUK said:
this is a programme produced by boating experts and aimed at boat owners.
Forget all the flash rubbish that ruins so many programmes and concentrate on the content, and try to remember Top Gear when it was made for grown-ups!
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I'm afraid Ninky clearly knows what he's talking about so don't ignore him.

Your idea would fail. It is about mass appeal. Remember he said BROADcasting. You're talking about a show for nirds that could only exist on the internet.

And the salaries of presenters are a small part of the budget.
 
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