Will motorcycle programming on TV continue to suck? What you can do
 

This weekend the USGP has brought the world’s fastest bikes and most talented riders to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca once again. And once again, U.S. television coverage of this most exciting motorcycle event will most likely be lame at best.

TV Moto has tried several times to work with Dorna Sports, the Spanish company that controls MotoGP, to promote motorcycle grand prix racing in the U.S. Unfortunately, Dorna doesn’t seem to have any appreciation or respect for MotoGP’s American audience.

Dorna misled us; blocked our efforts to work with Laguna Seca, Yamaha and Red Bull; asked an outrageous sum for licensing 10 minutes of footage for our documentary on the USGP; and then stole our proposal for a television time buy on ABC in 2006. Red Bull tried to help us out, but Dorna wouldn’t play ball no matter what.

As uncooperative as Dorna was, Speed TV was the most pathetic—we offered them Return of the USGP for FREE as a pre-race show and Speed couldn’t even get it together enough to respond until a month after the race! This, my friends, is the sad state of motorcycle TV in America. This is why we have to do something, now.


BE A PART OF GRASSROOTS MOTORCYCLE TELEVISION

The only way to create quality motorcycle television is with the support of motorcycle fans like you. We have begun a grassroots campaign to show the networks, manufacturers and race management companies that the people want more and better motorcycle programming. You want to see all the action as well as top-quality commentary, background stories and interviews.

And not just for racing but for all things motorcycle—we know you want exciting, well-written shows that cover the newest bikes and gear, travel, lifestyle, stunting, tips, custom bikes, amateur and pro competition of every sort, kids and bikes, training, and more. We know you want it because we want it. We at TV Moto are video production professionals with years of experience and a passion for motorcycles.

We’ve posted demos of a few of our projects-in-development, including a dirtbike training video for young kids, a training project with Danny Walker of American Supercamp, and out-takes from a recent shoot with the TV Moto girls.

AND we just posted an exclusive interview with Nicky Hayden taped Friday at Laguna (many thanks to Repsol and the Bay Area Riders Forum). We’ll be posting interview clips with Kenny Roberts, Sr., Wayne Rainey, and other greats in coming weeks. A World Superbike review, moto-travelog and motorcycle magazine show are also in the works. You deserve better than Two Wheel Tuesday (no wonder it died).

Plus, TV Moto is currently in discussion with a major regional online motorcycle forum about joining forces to create the mother of all motorcycle web portals.

Be a part of this grassroots movement to build a great motorcycle TV network. Help us show the powers-that-be that the public wants high-quality, intelligent motorcycle programming. We want to build a network that responds to you and your interests, not to MBA beancounters and corporate wonks. And we need your help to succeed.


WHAT YOU CAN DO

The first step is to view our shows on YouTube, comment, rate them and, if you like what you see, share the link with your friends.

youtube.com/user/silliwood

The next step is to join the TV Moto mailing list so that we can keep you in the loop and get your feedback. We aren’t selling anything. The TV Moto Nation is a democracy, and we want to hear from you!

tvmoto.com

While you’re there, watch Return of the USGP. It’s a half-hour documentary on grand prix racing’s return to the United States in 2005—packed with action footage, historical info, and interviews with all the American champions. A great way to get stoked for today’s race, and you can watch it for free! Here’s the password. Pass it around!

click “View Video”
username: redbull
password: demo

TV Moto is by motorcyclists, for motorcyclists, and about motorcyclists and the machines that thrill us. Pompous, greedy management companies and the big networks don’t get it—and what’s worse, they don’t care. Don’t be denied the full-throttle excitement of the world’s fastest bikes any longer! Join the TV Moto Nation today!

Thank you for your continuing support (and for reading this hella long post).

And please, do let us know what you think about motorcycle programming on TV and how it could be better. The opinions of real motorcycle fans are the only ratings that matter to us.

TV Moto

PS. Here's a preview of the tasty extras to come on the website. Don't worry, we’re still all about bikes, but a little fluff is nice from time to time. This pic is from a recent shoot with the gorgeous TV Moto girls.