Turns out even Redbull has to admit that Redbull TV and Youtube doesn't make much money. I wonder why Discovery had more to offer for the worldcup broadcast..
@Takaya94: I used one that is a free add-on to Google Chrome already setup for that browser. Super easy to use and less hassle than the free trials I've used for world champs in the past.
@finnspin: I think it is as much about the general viewership number and increasing exposure as it is making money from the broadcast. I would say the almost always see the broadcast itself as a loss leader and are fully aware the won’t make money on YouTube redbull tv etc etc. They are more interested in going to platforms which increase their brand exposure. Maybe less hardcore mtb fans will watch but they are really about a mass market audience seeing their product and thinking it’s cool/wanting to buy it which they will get a lot more of on tv
I paid $10.99 for an espn subscription, watched the event (the broadcast was smooth and efficient this year, thankfully), then canceled subscription. Where is the problem?
I mean honestly, if I was scored that shit for doing a fully exposed ridgeline gap with a narrow landing and a suicide no hander over a 60 foot fully exposed canyon gap, I would probably just say fuck this and not even do a second run...
Here they just stream it on YouTube for free. Maybe it's free for me because it's on ESPN+ in America and you have to pay for it. In which case the rest of the world thanks you for your sacrifice America!
If you go to the redbull rampage info page on RedBull TV, theres a menu icon. Click that and change your region to anything other than united states of america.
works for me
@slovenian6474: Same, but had a Chromebook with me as well and there's even an Opera browser in the Play store. Maybe you can download to your Android (or iPhone) and watch it on there?
Well this is frustrating. Got the day off of work. Set myself up with a comfy chair, a set of 240 hubs, spokes, and fr560 rims to build up so I could have my bikers version of movie theater popcorn. Only to turn the TV to redbull TV and not have it available. Ouch. Anyone outside of the US have the ability to be a Robin Hood and set up a stream for those who sacrifice streaming service bills for bike parts?
It's $10.99 on ESPN+ Just watched Brendog send it on his youngest daughter's first birthday. I was about to pay, but a co-worker hooked me up with his account. Browser with built-in VPN is the way, though. My work network blocks VPNs other than our own.
While I was annoyed at first that in the US you need to do this through ESPN+, I remembered that's included with Disney+. If you've got kids, you've probably got that.
You all really need to figure out what you want. These childish complaints against RB trying in any way to monetize this to keep it sustainable go directly in the face of what you all were complaining about 2 months ago when they made the decision to not include the females.
Sit and think about it for two seconds, granted this means some of you will have to think like adults which may be a first. There's hardly any event in the world where you can just double the size of the field, with out major logistical issues. Then there's RB Rampage arguably one of the tougher live sports events to organize from a logistical stand point, how many years do the competitors not even get to attempt a second run do to weather its quite frequent... That's not even getting into the weeds of the fact that the men and women would HAVE to be building at two different venues, the broadcast would have to also be different days. You quite literally cannot have men and women running on the same day. This then doubles EVERYTHING, huge balloon in expenses for an event I'm not convinced makes Redbull even $.01.
We're lucky Rampage even exists. Some of you really just need to grow up.
Sit an think about the fact that RB operates a 6 time constructors championship winning F1 team that was FORCED to limit their operating costs to 140M/year by the FIA. They can afford to tap the "Stream Rampage in the USA for Free" slider on the youtube app.
So first, the RB F1 team, isn't just Redbull footing the bill. Its Oracle and Honda also contributing, albiet no idea how much from each.
Also this is an apples and oranges comparison, F1 has orders of magnitude more exposure to the general public than rampage does, so of course they're fine dropping money on it. Just because they're running RB in a profitable state doesn't mean they should simply "Stream Rampage for free in teh USA", its is a very over simplified/childish view. I'd love to see how much Redbull spends on Rampage, I bet its in the high 7 figures / low 8 figures easy when you account for everything.
So again, I'll stand by my statement we're lucky to have Rampage as it exists today.
@CamNeelyCantWheelie: Straight from the wiki, RB doesn't pay much out of pocket for their F1 team cause it makes money and pays for itsself in large part. Don't think we can say the same for Rampage.
Finances Red Bull Racing had revenue of $285.4 million and expenses of $284.4 million in 2011. The revenue came from prize money ($88.8 million), sponsors ($59.7 million), and the remainder from Red Bull. Expenses included $112.8 million in research and development and $82.7 million in salaries for 605 employees.
@pmhobson: Touche, they did have those worded a little funny. It still doesn't change the fact they're doing that as a marketing move in one of the most followed global sports leagues, where the exposure is line with their expense.
Then look at Rampage, and event they organize, pay for in full, and distribute(well up until this year in the US where clearly ESPN paid for the rights). Anything broadcasted on Redbull TV costs them money, Rampage probably being one of if not the most expensive events.
Another tidbit people like to ignore is how action sports athletes love to shit on the Energy Drink companies when RB, Monster, Rockstar are quite literally some of the only marquee sponsors. I've seen pro mtb'ers, skiiers, snowboarders, and skateboarders do it. The "Drink Water" movement is a perfect example of this. Quite literally biting the only hand out there feeding them.
I'm watching Red Bull TV from the Netherlands.
Well, at least that's where the Opera PVN says I am. For all other purposes, I'm in Florida.
Thank you, Opera!
I know VPN are easy and all. But for f u c k s sake watching bike racing and bike related content has been a F U C K around this year.
I hope you die alone you greedy bastards.
A few things that are mysterious to me that i can't find the answers to are where the water source is for the sculpts? Like a big truck or large tanks situated somewhere with pumps going up the hill to generated PSI? and how many hoses split off of it for each dig crew?
Other question i'm wondering is how the riders get to the top for their runs? (or the diggers for that matter)
It's such an annoying part of media today. So many things are exclusive to a single service so in order to watch content you have to pay for each individual one. We're spoiled for having free access to MTB content for years, and now we have to pay. Poor us... just bitching and moaning. IT's still annoying AF.
While we are on the US rip-off train - even worse if you have ESPN+ (I do, Dad with a Disney bundle), once the live stream stopped at lunch time (when I was halfway through watching it), there is NOTHING on ESPN+ until their recap on 10/22, and geo lock is still on other services. And this is what folks pay for, they should at least keep the full live feed up for replay!
With the number of riders going down this year I really wish they would advertise the fact these riders are wearing safety gear underneath their jerseys. I think some of the younger riders might not realize they aren't just riding in jerseys and a full face. Brutal year for sure.
You are free to leave anytime, or work hard to change the situation. We’re not perfect, but fortunately far better off than multiple other countries I’ve lived in.
@baxterbike: I plan to leave. And yes, better than some countries, worse than others. Ultimately, that perception depends on what you as an individual value. I betcha there are plenty of people on Pinkbike happy they don't live in this shit hole.
Thank you though for that far too common hillbilly rhetoric of "if you don't like it you can leave, uhmerica good". Never heard that one!
ESPN+ is like $5/month pay for it or VPN and use RedBull TV. You're 34, you really can't find $5 to rub together and actually support the sport you alledgedly like?
@pbfan08: that's besides the point, buddy. Think bigger. You can do this. Did anyone say I wasn't going to download and pay up like every other U.S sucker?
I think the judging takes away from this event. I think it'd be fine as a jam session; no judging, just riders doing it for themselves and the spectators.
I don’t know what a vpn is. I just want to be able to have it on my tv for free the way it used to be. I was going to have buddies over and keep my son home from school but Red Bull ruined those plans.
@String425: I don’t know where you’re paying $10 a gallon? Rampage has always been free to watch, it’s free to the rest of the world on multiple platforms except where the country it is being held in? I’m not going to pay for a subscription for a few hours only to cancel it.
@bill-curran: Not really. But setting up a VPN isn’t hard either nor is budgeting $10 to support something you’ve been watching for free for however many years you have. Point being it was easy to watch even though they switched formats for the live broadcast. Maybe a bit more money flows to the riders you love to watch, who knows? Either way it was worth the $10 I paid and I get football games too
@String425: you’re right no one knows where that money goes and if they wanted more money for the rides then why not make everyone pay? Why is it just the country that’s the event is being held in being penalized to pay. The rest of the world does not have to pay. It’s a fun event to watch but not enough to set up a subscription and cancel it. I’d say the same thing for the superbowl and the World Series.
What's up with the Redbull app? It's hanging on 'Starting soon', yet the website is showing it fine. Just want to cast to my TV, not watch on the phone!
@bgoldstone: Which is true but does not change the fact they are Slopestyle practitioners that generate sensationalism for them that originated and careered in Slopestyle. Thus, pimping up the viewers and judges to give false representations with higher scores for riders that have more talent with barspins n tailwhips, on the most groomed and manicured runs, which enable them a better chance to land their textbook tricks. Hence, leading to the metamorphosis of this event from which it was rooted, for Freeriders to excel their talent and push their limits. I'd honestly say the event would be more exciting having more DH racers with Freeride DNA in their blood to crossover like Brendon has. Maybe your Brother is that talent to MFRGA!
With all due respect to the announcers tho; they are good...very good at their craft but it would be more fitting having announcers that are dubbed more as-"Freeriders" and attuned to their craft having brodecast talent for this particular event. To add, Salema Masekela, IMHO was completely unneeded for the RBR event at all and should of had in his place- Tippie or Gully.
@bgoldstone: Actually Tippie would be too dramatic in the announcers seat; so how about Gully / Vanderham. Two legends with a more mellow delivery but still have the stoke and camera personality.
Didn't even get through round 1 before someone got stalled due to wind. It feels like every year wind spoils the show. There has to be a better way to do this.
Sports were great when it was jet flyovers and supporting our troops at war!! The moment they started kneeling though, that's when it got too political for me!
@pmhobson: It means the once sports network has been infiltrated with people who sit there and spew their political opinions instead of talking about sports. The same way most sports have been politicized. I liked it much better when sports were an escape from all the BS we have rammed down our throats around the clock. If I want politics, I'll turn on any of the hundred other hack networks.
Get baked and go digging alone
Get baked and watch rampage alone
I am alone
Anyway... that sucks!
Edit: Just learned Opera browser has a built in VPN. There you go. Download Opera.
Anyone outside of the US have the ability to be a Robin Hood and set up a stream for those who sacrifice streaming service bills for bike parts?
...and yet, I'm going to be watching, giving them ad revenue.
I'm complex.
You all really need to figure out what you want. These childish complaints against RB trying in any way to monetize this to keep it sustainable go directly in the face of what you all were complaining about 2 months ago when they made the decision to not include the females.
Sit and think about it for two seconds, granted this means some of you will have to think like adults which may be a first. There's hardly any event in the world where you can just double the size of the field, with out major logistical issues. Then there's RB Rampage arguably one of the tougher live sports events to organize from a logistical stand point, how many years do the competitors not even get to attempt a second run do to weather its quite frequent... That's not even getting into the weeds of the fact that the men and women would HAVE to be building at two different venues, the broadcast would have to also be different days. You quite literally cannot have men and women running on the same day. This then doubles EVERYTHING, huge balloon in expenses for an event I'm not convinced makes Redbull even $.01.
We're lucky Rampage even exists. Some of you really just need to grow up.
Also this is an apples and oranges comparison, F1 has orders of magnitude more exposure to the general public than rampage does, so of course they're fine dropping money on it. Just because they're running RB in a profitable state doesn't mean they should simply "Stream Rampage for free in teh USA", its is a very over simplified/childish view. I'd love to see how much Redbull spends on Rampage, I bet its in the high 7 figures / low 8 figures easy when you account for everything.
So again, I'll stand by my statement we're lucky to have Rampage as it exists today.
Finances
Red Bull Racing had revenue of $285.4 million and expenses of $284.4 million in 2011. The revenue came from prize money ($88.8 million), sponsors ($59.7 million), and the remainder from Red Bull. Expenses included $112.8 million in research and development and $82.7 million in salaries for 605 employees.
$285.5M - ($88.8M + $59.7M) = $136.9M from Red Bull. Seems like a lot.
Then look at Rampage, and event they organize, pay for in full, and distribute(well up until this year in the US where clearly ESPN paid for the rights). Anything broadcasted on Redbull TV costs them money, Rampage probably being one of if not the most expensive events.
Another tidbit people like to ignore is how action sports athletes love to shit on the Energy Drink companies when RB, Monster, Rockstar are quite literally some of the only marquee sponsors. I've seen pro mtb'ers, skiiers, snowboarders, and skateboarders do it. The "Drink Water" movement is a perfect example of this. Quite literally biting the only hand out there feeding them.
1st. Brett Rheeder: 90.66
2nd. Szymon Godziek: 86.33
3rd. Brandon Semenuk: 84
4th. Reed Boggs: 82.66
5th. Thomas Genon: 81
6th. Carson Storch: 77
7th. Kurt Sorge: 74
8th. Andreu Lacondeguy: 73
9th. Jaxson Riddle: 67
10th. Cam Zink: 66
11th. Ethan Nell: 65.33
12th. Tom Van Steenbergen: 63.66
13th. DJ Brandt: 62.33
14th. William Robert: 58
15th. Dylan Stark: 53
16th. Tyler McCaul: 37.66
Like a big truck or large tanks situated somewhere with pumps going up the hill to generated PSI? and how many hoses split off of it for each dig crew?
Other question i'm wondering is how the riders get to the top for their runs? (or the diggers for that matter)
Thank you though for that far too common hillbilly rhetoric of "if you don't like it you can leave, uhmerica good". Never heard that one!
Anyone have a job and place to stay in Portugal??
You do realize, YOU are the walking caricature of "American Dumbass" right?
ESPN YOU SUCK !!! You've ruined RAMPAGE !!!
With all due respect to the announcers tho; they are good...very good at their craft but it would be more fitting having announcers that are dubbed more as-"Freeriders" and attuned to their craft having brodecast talent for this particular event. To add, Salema Masekela, IMHO was completely unneeded for the RBR event at all and should of had in his place- Tippie or Gully.
Foutage de gueule!!!
/s
What does this even mean?