Flo and Kokomo
 

So on the running thread today about the activity at Indiana’s Baddest Bullring, someone asked if Kokomo was still on Flo. Obviously they’re not. Getting info on streaming deals appears to be ultra mega top secret classified data. But maybe some of our IOW operatives might be able to leak the reason why they’re no longer on the deal?

Re: Flo and Kokomo
 

Did Flo ever cover any events at Kokomo that weren't USAC sanctioned? I don't recall any.

Re: Flo and Kokomo
 

Flo covered the Kokomo Klash last year if my memory serves me right.

Kokomo used to be shown live on what was Speedshift. Without knowing the details, Speedshift was bought by Flo, I believe. I don’t recall how recent it was but their regular programs were shown on Flo after that.

All races were on Flo last year at kokomo, this year other than the usac races, will not be.

Re: Flo and Kokomo
 

Sounds like the track wants to GYATK instead of watching them on TV. I think more tracks will follow their lead in the future.

I still say that streaming doesn’t hurt the gate in any tangible fashion. Far greater factors in play now, really ever since the plandemic. I still say it’s a great advertisement for your track to thousands of people across the country who might never see it. I would bet they would’ve done big numbers last night had they still been on Flo.

Re: Flo and Kokomo
 

I was told Flo chose not to renew the contract. My guess is not enough quality crew to be everywhere. Streaming has effected crowds. That is why most don't do it. I think you need to see streaming deals compensating tracks more for the product. It also wouldn't bother me to have a 100 mile blackout area.

Interesting Brent. You know it’s been said many times, and myself and Merrillville Al were talking yesterday that the locals don’t support the speedway anyhow. I’ve had folks tell me that more people come to the speedway from an hour away or farther than come from less, so the blackout really might not affect who you think it should. The whole streaming thing is just a very complex topic. Someone is making money or they wouldn’t do it, right?

Re: Flo and Kokomo
 

There’s gonna be a few who who are now spoiled watching on Flo from their climate controlled home. Not me, I want to be at the track for all the things we love ( rumbling sounds in your chest, seeing friends, interacting with the drivers, etc. ) However there’s folks that are sick, injured, elderly, and just physically unable to attend. We have enough regulations and restrictions in this country. Let’s not add more please.

IMHO, if the music industry is any indication of digital media run amuck, it won’t be the tracks that are getting paid via streaming unless they have a direct investment in the platform that provides it.

Lars vs. Napster. Took awhile but others finally figured out what Lars could see coming.

Taylor Swift vs. Spotify. All that add revenue yet the artist was getting a half shell per play, not even the whole peanut.

Scarlett Johansson vs. Disney/ Marvel. Dual released her movie on the streaming app and the box office. Last i knew, she won that case for lost wages/ damages due to the simultaneous streaming release.

Im not 100% against streaming, i just can’t think of many examples where digital giveaways as advertisement worked in financial favor of the artist/ creator/ subject of talent.

Then again, maybe i’m still just a ticked off musician with a car trunk full of CD’s who never made it. hahaha

Heath. That’s an interesting analogy. But here’s the caveat. I don’t consider it a giveaway. I spent $550 on streaming services this year. And, here’s the kicker. Because Seafoam sponsors Dirtvision I changed my fuel stabilizer. Because Castrol sponsors Flo Night in America Late Model series, that was my last oil change. I bought a Lucas detail kit. See where I’m going? I’m a streamer who is definitely not the bad guy, I’m a paying customer in more ways than one. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m only going to so many races. Of course I could go to more if some of you would volunteer to stain the deck and do other house projects for me.

Would I watch Kokomo races on Flo, yes. Would seeing races on Flo make me want to get to Kokomo to see a race more, yes. Can I make the 5 hour trip to Kokomo on a Sunday, no. Does watching on Flo increase the likelihood of me making a trip for special events, yes. Streaming services are 100% positively influencing racing and race tracks in my experience. I now have a list of tracks and races all over the US that I am trying to go to that I never would have thought about going to if not for seeing them on streaming. Including Kokomo.

Re: Flo and Kokomo
 

It is not a giveaway for you. It is a giveaway for the tracks and racers.

You make valid points. “Giveaway” is probably the wrong wording, it’s just what came to mind in context of using Napster as my first example and my own experiences trying to grow our fan base. Plus, using the music industry might not even be a fair comparison. It may be apples to granola bars for all i know.

It’s definitely good to see corporate sponsorship in our sport. If streaming availability is the catalyst to corporate sponsors helping to increase purses, then that’s awesome!! But i’d still inject the idea of a larger purse does not translate to dollars for the track owner. See Terre Haute from earlier this year.

That said, the amount of production time and equipment it takes to even air it is obscene. If that’s where the majority of the money from streaming stays, i can’t comfortably ask for money out of their pocket to give to the tracks either. It’s a difficult puzzle for sure.

Side note. Kokomo was packed with families Sunday night! You could tell nobody had to work the next day. Kudos to them for continuing to make a go of a mostly “work night” schedule.

This is a test- Ok cool. Just making sure my keypad was capable of making posts under 140 characters. lol #DamnSon

Re: Flo and Kokomo
 

Eric, I totally agree with all of your points. 4 hrs one way for me. I love Kokomo Speedway, the promoters, the staff, the teams, the fans, and especially the racing. Streaming has allowed me to see tracks, series, racing, and drivers I could never have otherwise. Soon I can head to tracks new to me far and wide because of FLO. For now I get to watch Day, Dom, Golobic, Dewease, Wagner, Rahmer, Timms, Hahn, Westbrook, Flud, Bochele, etc. live because of streaming. IMO Kokomo needs to at least revisit the ROI of the FLO streaming option. By the way, spending and heading to GC & Kokomo to see, in person, the stars of MSCS this weekend due to streaming and the fact Haubstadt is too far away for a one off race for me right now. See you at the races.

Re: Flo and Kokomo
 

If not for Flo Racing, I'd have no idea who you're talking about. Now, I get to watch and see the tracks and drivers that I can't watch in person. Doesn't USAC know that Boston, MA, is the hub of all things open-wheel dirt racing? Oh, and a couple of decent asphalt drivers too. BS III, Bently Warren, the Seymore racing family, etc. :8::8::9::5::10:

Re: Flo and Kokomo
 

I got no idea what the return from streaming to a track is. I do hope the streaming service and track can communicate on how many are watching. I got the feeling that some shows probably have ten times actual attendance. say you got 4k fans for sprint week. I'd think it easy to assume 40k tune in. Chili bowl, probably in the hundreds of thousands.

But I know nothing, But I think tracks should take it as potential customers and not just a drain on attendance,, It probably does affect attendance if iffy weather is forecast. IDK.

Happy racing.

Re: Flo and Kokomo
 

You would have to see it in person. MSCS has never streamed to my knowledge, minus co sanctions with USAC. In fact, I have never really seen any video highlights the next day. Hope to be at both shows myself. Have fun