Pirated finals videos

[MikeN]

Back in the day on PBS it was a pledge drive broadcast.

And PBS finally refused to air it because DCI fans are notorious pledge-skimpers, and didn't bring in an audience compared to Saturday night British mysteries.

Even with revenues (not profits) around 7-9M, DCI gets by with the skin of their teeth. Almost all of that goes back into event expenses. The expansion of digital (online) media is a godsend for them, as it allows them to reach their core audience (corps fans) for live broadcasts at a tiny fraction of the cost for TV. I think FN was one of DCI's most brilliant ideas ... well... ever. It gives you almost real-time access to the corps during the summer and live video events, and that sucked the wind right out of the bootleg market - and they managed to replace the TV broadcast with a much cheaper-to-produce alternative to boot.

Mike

[cybersnyder]

And PBS finally refused to air it because DCI fans are notorious pledge-skimpers, and didn't bring in an audience compared to Saturday night British mysteries.

Even with revenues (not profits) around 7-9M, DCI gets by with the skin of their teeth. Almost all of that goes back into event expenses. The expansion of digital (online) media is a godsend for them, as it allows them to reach their core audience (corps fans) for live broadcasts at a tiny fraction of the cost for TV. I think FN was one of DCI's most brilliant ideas ... well... ever. It gives you almost real-time access to the corps during the summer and live video events, and that sucked the wind right out of the bootleg market - and they managed to replace the TV broadcast with a much cheaper-to-produce alternative to boot.

Mike

I know that I greatly enjoyed being able to see older shows on the Fan Network that I would have never purchased. I just don't want to spend $30 for a DVD to watch shows from 1983. But with Fan Network I can watch them at a very reasonable price. The only downside is that you have to wait a year for finals and the Allentown videos weren't that great - too orange from the lighting. But I expect that this year the quality of the Fan Network videos will be even better as the price of HD video has been dropping very quickly.

[perc2100]

I

In the late 90's, I remember videotaping Santa Clara with Night Vision. Everything was green, but at the end, I got a a shot of a good friend of mine with his Wife and young child. He was in Santa Clara's Snareline in 79, and it was the first time we saw Santa Clara tilt their drums. This with the family shot proved to be a great time capsule.

And how about the videos of Blue Devils warm ups/run throughs from the 80's that are turning up? Those are great for the people who marched then who have no record.

These things are separate issues, IMO, than recording finals (what the OP was first commenting on). Definitely in the 80's corps weren't making any money off of lot videos or rehearsal videos, and certainly DCI isn't. Those BD videos you're talking about are videos from the 80's rehearsal fields and/or lot warm-ups. Same with the SCV late 90's recordings, though SCV does currently offer drumline DVD's of warm-ups and show runs (tough, I think, they didn't in the 90's).

So we're talking about one of the biggest money-makers for DCI (finals recordings) being bootlegged vs. a non-money making venture being recording. Is there still technically a copyright violation? Probably (at least with the BD vids currently making the rounds, there is show music that is easily recognizable). Which gives us another slippery slope: someone's original composition is being broadcast without expressed consent. Is it a minor violation probably not hurting anything? Probably, but technically a violation none-the-less that I'm sure someone could get in (minor) trouble for.

But to me, those instances above are not that big of a deal in comparison to someone recording finals. I think if a parent is excited to see their kid perform in DCI Championships, it's not unreasonable to ask them to buy the corps' end-of-the-year DVD, or DCI's DVD. After all, even though their kid is performing he is still performing other people's compositions in an arena with expressed rules against recording. Are picture OK? Of course. But video or audio recording = clearly against the rules.

[perc2100]

I know that I greatly enjoyed being able to see older shows on the Fan Network that I would have never purchased. I just don't want to spend $30 for a DVD to watch shows from 1983. But with Fan Network I can watch them at a very reasonable price. The only downside is that you have to wait a year for finals and the Allentown videos weren't that great - too orange from the lighting. But I expect that this year the quality of the Fan Network videos will be even better as the price of HD video has been dropping very quickly.

I totally agree with that sentiment, and I LOVE Fan Network as a way to watch shows that I don't own on DVD or VHS whenever I want to. It's a very affordable alternative to buying the DVD's.

On another note, I wish DCI would get with the program and offer "on Demand" DVD's. For a set price you can put a certain amount of shows on one DVD, and then it's an extra couple of dollars per show to add more shows. That way you can do your own mix DVD's of your favorite shows. GREAT idea, and I'm surprised DCI hasn't done this yet (WGI has been doing it for years).

[JimF-LowBari]

And PBS finally refused to air it because DCI fans are notorious pledge-skimpers, and didn't bring in an audience compared to Saturday night British mysteries.

Depends on the area, talked to someone who worked with the local PBS station (Hershey, PA) and they said during the heyday of the DCI braodcast they didn't have that much of a problem with people not following thru. BUT.... as the years went by the money coming in got less and less until the station found more profitible shows for pledge nights. Last I know it's Doo Wopp group reunions.

And my understanding of ESPN broadcast being dropped was the money being spent on the telecast wasn't worth the return so total business decision.

Edited February 12, 2010 by JimF-3rdBari

[ContraRich77]

Here's a suggested game plan:

Eat two full cans of Hormel Chili just prior to attending a corps show, find the jokers with the minicams, make your way over to their position and stand next to them, pretend not to notice them and commence farting.

[gellio]

Personally, I wouldn't have done anything. I mean, really, how good is the quality going to be with the crowd drowning out the corps and from a handheld? While I would never record shows, if someone else does it, I'm not going to worry about it. The guy is likely a fan and I bet bought the DVDs anyway. I know that's an assumption, but if you're going to go to that much trouble, I'd imagine he would buy the DVDs. Plus, you never know what you might be getting yourself into if you confront someone. Imagine if he hit you and you were both escorted out of the show...Not good.

I remember in '87 a staff member brought my boom box in to record Star and Phantom at the Canton show. It provided us enjoyment on the bus, as many of us were fans of Regiment's '87 show.

Lastly, come on - you know everyone on here scoures online video sites in hopes of finding shows during the season. They are illegial as well, but we don't complain, nor do we not purchase the official recordings and DVDs.

Edited February 12, 2010 by gellio

[perc2100]

And PBS finally refused to air it because DCI fans are notorious pledge-skimpers, and didn't bring in an audience compared to Saturday night British mysteries.

Even with revenues (not profits) around 7-9M, DCI gets by with the skin of their teeth. Almost all of that goes back into event expenses. The expansion of digital (online) media is a godsend for them, as it allows them to reach their core audience (corps fans) for live broadcasts at a tiny fraction of the cost for TV. I think FN was one of DCI's most brilliant ideas ... well... ever. It gives you almost real-time access to the corps during the summer and live video events, and that sucked the wind right out of the bootleg market - and they managed to replace the TV broadcast with a much cheaper-to-produce alternative to boot.

Mike

I 100% agree with the bolded above. Fan Network is a GREAT idea, and now instead of seeing an edited version of Finals months after the fact, we now see a live show almost every weekend of the summer. I hook my computer up to my TV, and it's a blast. I think it's money well spent, and a GREAT bargain for fans who live in areas with minimal shows. Perhaps DCI doesn't aggressively pursue people recording shows because they know with the Fan Network they're not being damaged financially with youtube videos.

[flugelswerebugels]

On the other hand, I've watched and listened to drum corps bootlegs (I have never paid for a bootleg), and I feel I can say with certainty that I would not be as big a drum corps fan if I hadn't had those to fuel my love of the activity. I have bought hundreds of dollars of DVDs and CDs from DCI. I've attended as many shows as I can, and I'm planning on attending many this upcoming season--even if I have to drive hours to see the show. I will probably purchase a Fan Network subscription to view the webcasts. I spend money regularly at souvenir booths. I plan on volunteering with a corps this summer. I consider myself a lifelong fan of the activity. I don't seek out bootlegs any more.

I heard a guy on the radio this morning talking about how some baseball team owners used to refuse to allow their team's games to be broadcast on the radio because they didn't want to give their product away for free. They didn't realize that each broadcast was an advertisement for the next game.

Not saying I agree with people who ignore what they have agreed to when they purchase their ticket, just that I think the idea that these recordings cut into DCI and corps revenue may not be true in the long run.

[The Other Mike]

And PBS finally refused to air it because DCI fans are notorious pledge-skimpers, and didn't bring in an audience compared to Saturday night British mysteries.

Even with revenues (not profits) around 7-9M, DCI gets by with the skin of their teeth. Almost all of that goes back into event expenses. The expansion of digital (online) media is a godsend for them, as it allows them to reach their core audience (corps fans) for live broadcasts at a tiny fraction of the cost for TV. I think FN was one of DCI's most brilliant ideas ... well... ever. It gives you almost real-time access to the corps during the summer and live video events, and that sucked the wind right out of the bootleg market - and they managed to replace the TV broadcast with a much cheaper-to-produce alternative to boot.

Mike

I agree 100% on the FN, by far the best idea DCI has ever had that I can think of.