Hersh on COI -- Bad News

[Tonichelle]

Oh Toni....I HOPE not!!!! But I fear, and have been fearing for the last 2 or 3 years, that you might be right!

Well there was an article a few months back that had even Scott wondering where skating was going and how long SOI would last...

here's hoping he doesn't try to hold on to it as long as Hamill did Ice Capades

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I know many fans will not agree that the SLC thing had no effect on attendance at figure skating venues, but slipping attendance began with that Oly. Cheating in sports does not go well with Americans.

And there is the old adage "once you've seen one skating show,you've seen them all".

I really think COI played out its last hurrah.

Joe

 

[Dodhiyel]

This is sobering news. Thank you for bringing it to our attention, attyfan.

I'm not really up to trying to analyze the why's at the moment, but I think it's been obvious for a while that U.S. fans have become less enthusiastic about watching champion-level skating. Meanwhile, countries like Japan have shown markedly increased interest. I believe that at least part of the reason for the changes, is that general audiences are attracted when their nation has medal winners, especially gold medal winners, in the international competitions. That may be an oversimplification, but it does seem to fit the facts. The core audiences, i.e., the full-time skating fans, do not generate enough income; the general audience must be attracted, for figure skating to show a profit.

Also, I do not think the Olympic "scandal" hurt skating audience levels in the U.S. nearly as much as did the introduction of CoP; they might as well have brought back the school figures and televised that lol.

 

[attyfan]

I'm not sure if the tours are affected by the same concerns that affect competitive skating. TV ratings for the events are dropping, but the Disson shows keep on going, for example.

I think that the tours are much more affected by general economic problems -- and they may sink SOI, too. After all, who is willing to spend $50+ per seat to attend a skating show when people are worried about how they will keep their home or how they will put food on the table? However, people can watch a Disson show for free -- even if they are not watching competitive events.

 

[sillylionlove]

Actually, I was thinking more about skaters like Surya Bonaly, Victor Petrenko, and Rudi Galindo.

That's what I was thinking too when I made my previous comment about good for SOI.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Also, I do not think the Olympic "scandal" hurt skating audience levels in the U.S. nearly as much as did the introduction of CoP; they might as well have brought back the school figures and televised that lol.

Dodhiyel, I have to stand up for my belief in the decling of skating starting with the SLC thing.

Die hard fans such as yourself were not affected by the scandal to the extent they would no longer watch figure skating. But the casual fans who drop in to see a skating show are the people I am talking about. That is also shown in the number of ratings which dropped with TV viewers after that.

I would add that the Sunday afternoon trumped up competitions of the 90s which had most skaters in silly costumes and skating to pop tunes did not offer much of a spirit of good skating. I know we have had several fans who loved those shows, but did the general public not think it was all about teen-age antics?

IMO, skating decline comes from within, and it needs a good boost from someone who can pick it up.

Joe

 

[Ravyn Rant]

This makes me sad, I only got to go for the first time EVER last year, and I've already paid for my pre-sale tickets for San Jose. Front row even.

:'(

So now what are we going to do for our birthdays? (Insert pouting emoticon here.)
This is really upsetting. I got tickets for SOI this year because Shen & Zhao are skating, so we will get to see some live skating this year, but I preferred COI, myself.
Hey, Spawn! Maybe it's time to move to Japan! They LIKE figure skating there!
xoxo

 

[slutskayafan21]

I think a large part of the decline in American popularity in figure skating is Americans are not the best anymore at any discipline in figure skating. Americans are attracted by superstars and winners, it is just the American mentality. Their current team has some fine skaters and fine people, but ultimately does not provide either of those things. Hopefully the next generation to follow this one is a more exceptional group that has more chance of providing superstars and winners which is what appeals to the American public.

 

[Tinymavy15]

i am really surprised. I thought that SOI would go before COI. this is big news for the skaters who make a living of COI in the summer.

 

[slutskayafan21]

I agree with the poster who said SOI will be next. More big off season tours are starting in Europe and Asia anyway, I see that trend continuing. Skating is increasingly becoming bigger there then it is in the U.S now as far as fan support and interest.

 

[clairecloutier]

I think high ticket prices were definitely a contributing factor in the death of COI. Tickets were just so expensive--and honestly, hard to justify for 2 brief hours of entertainment. One thing to remember is you usually don't go alone to these events. So it's not just $60 for a single ticket--it's $120 for a couple, or (gulp) $240 for a family of four. That's a lot of money, and that's not counting drinks, food, parking, etc.

If they had cut ticket prices in half, I think they would have sold a lot more tickets and also had more satisfied customers. When you're paying $60 instead of $30, your expectations are higher . . . which speaks to my next point.

It's my personal opinion that the quality of the skating in COI wasn't always what it should have been. I watched many COI shows on TV, and went to one COI live. In most cases, I was frankly pretty unimpressed with the skating. It seemed like very few jumps were attempted, and some of the skaters just weren't good enough artists or performers to carry off a program with no jump content. (IMO, only the most talented skaters can do that.) It wasn't like the programs were terrible, but a lot of them weren't great, either. And for a $120 or $240 investment, you sort of expect something on the great, or at least very good, level.

 

[Tonichelle]

I always felt that teh COI exhibition programs weren't as much fun as teh SOI group and solo numbers...

COI seemed so individual and I liked the cast chemestry of SOI more... so I agree that teh ticket prices vs entertainment value had a lot to do with it...

but if Pro skating doesn't rebound ASAP SOI won't be too far behind which is a shame because pro skating is what made the 90s great

 

[amazonprincess]

So now what are we going to do for our birthdays? (Insert pouting emoticon here.)
This is really upsetting. I got tickets for SOI this year because Shen & Zhao are skating, so we will get to see some live skating this year, but I preferred COI, myself.
Hey, Spawn! Maybe it's time to move to Japan! They LIKE figure skating there!
xoxo

Just repeat after me "Watashi Wa...."

So next time something opens up in your Okinawa office, jump on it!

 

[Geesesk8]

This link, from IFS Magazine, 12/13/07, gives an interesting chronological view of the sale / closing of COI:

http://www.ifsmagazine.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=492&pid=707&st=0&#entry707

 

[Mathman]

Thanks for the post, Geese.

Very interesting. So I guess AEG just lost its whole investment. It was not clear either in this article or in Hersh's exactly what SOI's new role will be. The IFS article made it sound like they were "taking over" COI, but what is there to take over?

I can't help wondering if maybe AEG was hoping that Michelle Kwan would come back into the picture, especially given her personal friendship with the Anschutz family.

 

[attyfan]

Thanks for the post, Geese.

Very interesting. So I guess AEG just lost its whole investment. It was not clear either in this article or in Hersh's exactly what SOI's new role will be. The IFS article made it sound like they were "taking over" COI, but what is there to take over?

I can't help wondering if maybe AEG was hoping that Michelle Kwan would come back into the picture, especially given her personal friendship with the Anschutz family.

According to the article, AEG was first interested in COI in 2002 -- long before MK became friends with Anschutz, Jr. -- and I don't think daddy Phil makes business decisions based on who his son is or is not dating.

It looks like there was ample time for AEG to get out of the deal -- tour attendance has been dropping even before 2006 Olys. So, I can't help wonder if they are shutting it down more to get rid of Collins and re-open some new production after LA Worlds (or Vancouver Olys).

 

[Mathman]

So, I can't help wonder if they are shutting it down more to get rid of Collins and re-open some new production after LA Worlds (or Vancouver Olys).

That's it! Oh, if only I had the kind of devious mind necessary to succeed in business.

But still -- Michelle could come back as the COI headliner in 2010. That would be perfect!