[Gunner]

http://freecaster.tv/blog/39/en/uci-mtb-world-cup-2010-a-new-season-a-new-way-to-watch

I for one am on the fence on if i'll pay. I can almost ignore the fact that there was a lack of cameras on course, but the connection feed always sucked for me.


Discuss.

*after sleeping on it, I'll def pay. I can skip a coffee at the local starbucks and afford this....and so can you!*

 

[illflip]

if the charge includes the whole event, 4x and DH ...maybe

 

[NJHCx4xLIFE]

If it was a monthly fee and I could watch the live event and the replay as many times as I wanted then sure. To have to pick between one or the other I'd be likely to skip watching the live races which was cool and then at that point I could just watch the highlights online for free.

 

[norbar]

If it won't be available in Poland I'll be really pissed. As for the quality of the connection - they probably won't even have to invest anything as much less people will watch as for most the whole internetz should be free

 

[Matchew]

Guess they need to rename the site freeafteryoupaycaster

For a price of about 2 EUR (amount dependent on your local phone operator) you will be able to access either the LIVE webcast or the replay of your requested UCI MTB event.

I'm fine with paying a few bucks for the live feed as long as there is a good quality stream, but hopefully there will still be free videos of the top 5 runs or at least a recap, paying for a live feed is one thing but replays should be free IMO.

 

[jonKranked]

I would consider it if they could guarantee an uninterrupted stream.

 

[illflip]

come to think of it... paying to watch a race live at 3am on a sunday morning...probably wont happen for me. i have a hard enough time waking up after being out the night before. if i have to pay ill probably stay in bed.

 

[SylentK]

From Paycaster.com:

Freecaster.tv was created in 2004 to offer the best video coverage of action sports events. In 2006 we increased our commitment and started to feature events LIVE, drawing over 3 million views for the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup alone.

In 2010 we will use the latest http streaming technology in a new player that automatically adapts the quality of the stream to your connection speed, and should also alleviate issues caused by Firewalls.

Our ambition from the beginning has been to secure sufficient advertising revenues to offer a free service. A handful of companies have supported this initiative, and we are grateful for their shared vision. However unilateral support from the cycling industry has not been forthcoming enough for this concept to work, and allow us to cover the production and bandwidth costs involved.

We have therefore had no choice but to make the LIVE streams and the Replays available as "Premium Content" in 2010.

You have two options to access Premium Content.

1. Free code from one of our partners.
For the first UCI MTB World Cup in Dalby Forest, Scott mountain bikes is offering everyone a free code. Become a Scott fan on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/scott.sports and generate your code. Once you have your free voucher, enter the code on the unlock page as normal.

2. SMS codes
For a price of about 2 EUR (amount dependent on your local phone operator) you will be able to access either the LIVE webcast or the replay of your requested UCI MTB event.
Here is how it works:
• Select the LIVE feed or replay of your choice
• If it is a premium clip you'll be prompted to unlock it
• Click on the unlock link
• On the unlock page, select your country of residence* and enter your mobile phone number. Click submit.
• You will receive a code per SMS
• Enter the code in the web page to unlock the stream

*Our SMS transaction system is not yet available in all countries. We're making all reasonable efforts to find a solution to allow you to access the LIVE webcast as soon as possible.

We understand that making the service only available via this small charge is a new direction and we would have loved to have continued bringing you coverage for free. Unfortunately, the costs we incur simply exceed the advertising revenue we receive. We hope, as MTB racing fans, you will appreciate the situation and continue to tune in to enjoy what promises to be yet another very exciting World Cup season.

2 Euros? So like $5 max? Not too big of a deal. But the $hit BETTER WORK!

 

[oldskoolbiker]

Seems they will be doing it with premium text messages. So I can't if I want because I have premium texts blocked on my phone plan.

 

[DHPeteinSC]

Kinda defeats the purpose of ''free''caster doesnt it!!

 

[drkenan]

I can't believe you guys are complaining about this. We get to watch the top mountain bikers in the world for 2 euros (currently $2.67 USD). That's less than $15 USD for the ENTIRE season.

As jonkranked would say...

 

[jonKranked]

I wouldn't say that in this scenario...

 

[blackohio]

I think the problem people have is both coverage and bandwidth have sucked. You cant offer a premium pay-per service when your current free one never worked well and camera coverage wasnt there.

 

[Gunner]

I think the problem people have is both coverage and bandwidth have sucked. You cant offer a premium pay-per service when your current free one never worked well and camera coverage wasnt there.

bingo.

 

[bizutch]

The live stream did not once work for me last year. I wasted mornings I should have been doing other things. Now if they can guarantee that the stream of the replay works, I'd buy that. That's how www.espn3.com works. If they aired it live, you can go back and watch it for something like 24-48 hours after. Granted espn 3 does not charge for it, but they've got much more revenue.

Less than $3.00 to watch it in the US within a 48 hour window would be awesome. Texting to pay for it, no way. My phone is a phone, not a credit card.

 

[norbar]

Yeah the text idea is kinda stupid. It probably kills a lot areas and is a bit more hassle. Why not just do paypal or some subscription options? 2 euro for 1 wc? 10 euro for the whole wc thing?

 

[DHPeteinSC]

Dont get me wrong, I would be glad to pay for it if it actually works.

 

[jhazard]

yep, I wont do the text thing either. this sorta blows - OLN is gone from my area, freaking board.tv (FUEL.tv) won't air mtb anything (gawd I HATE surfing).

Alternatives?

I'd be willing to pay: if they guarantee the stream will work - I'm skeptical but will try it once to see.
Then - if I pay for an entire season of viewing, I want the DVD cut at no charge when they produce it.

They seriously should consider changing their name though, it is now quite misleading - even though its now a common web destination...

 

[Jester]

If i was going to pay to watch the races. I would want a. more cameras b. better connection c. actual commentators that know what they are talking about example: Fabien

 

[epic]

I'd be happy to pay but only if I can watch it whenever I want to. TiVo has spoiled me. No more 3AM F1 races (or quali or practice).

 

[Sandwich]

i'll watch it as much as I did last year. Not at all. I watched a reply, non-live event and screamy the clown was enough to make me turn it off.

 

[NJHCx4xLIFE]

c. actual commentators that know what they are talking about example

Take that back. If they ditch Warner I'm not watching.

 

[IH8Rice]

Take that back. If they ditch Warner I'm not watching.

if he didnt constantly yell and babble then id watch it

 

[EM-EFER]

I am one for the excitment in the both. To each their own.

 

[Jester]

if he didnt constantly yell and babble then id watch it

I like Warner, in small doses. Sometimes he just gets too carried away and seems to forget there is even a race going on. I think he makes a great color man but you need to have someone in the booth who is knowledgeable about current racers and can provide some facts for the audience. That is why I thought Fabien was so great last year.

 

[NJHCx4xLIFE]

I like Warner, in small doses. Sometimes he just gets too carried away and seems to forget there is even a race going on. I think he makes a great color man but you need to have someone in the booth who is knowledgeable about current racers and can provide some facts for the audience. That is why I thought Fabien was so great last year.

I'll give you that. He does get carried away but provides a lot of energy to it as well. Him teamed up with someone a bit more professional would please about everyone I would think.

 

[IH8Rice]

I like Warner, in small doses. Sometimes he just gets too carried away and seems to forget there is even a race going on. I think he makes a great color man but you need to have someone in the booth who is knowledgeable about current racers and can provide some facts for the audience. That is why I thought Fabien was so great last year.

i agree. some energy is always good when commenting on live sporting events, but like you said, he gets way too carried away and makes listening to the race awkward.

 

[captainspauldin]

My thoughts...
I'd be willing to pay if:
a.) The feed has no issues at all
b.) Additional Cameras throughout the course
c.) Better quality video (not looking for 1080p here, just something that looks better on my HD TV)
d.) It's cheap

But, I think if they offered it as a package deal of sorts, like if you pre-order the freecaster DVD before the season starts you get access to watch freecaster all season long.

 

[captainspauldin]

I like Warner, in small doses. Sometimes he just gets too carried away and seems to forget there is even a race going on. I think he makes a great color man but you need to have someone in the booth who is knowledgeable about current racers and can provide some facts for the audience. That is why I thought Fabien was so great last year.

Fabien was a bit boring, didn't really do a good job of reeling in Warner either (did provide some good facts and whatnot tho).. Can't say the same for CG or Rachael Atherton, they both seem to feed Warner's outbursts. I can't imagine Freecaster having the budget to have somebody with Warner full-time, but I could def. see the advantages..

 

[dhkid]

i for one am happy to pay, sure there has been some connection issues in the past but i have been quite lucky. seems like they are using the money to bump up the quality of their stream, its not like they are going to line their pockets with it are they?

sure as hell beats paying £40 for a single day ticket to watch the world cup (at ft william), and you get better coverage of each riders run from your computer.

 

[cableguy]

I think the problem people have is both coverage and bandwidth have sucked. You cant offer a premium pay-per service when your current free one never worked well and camera coverage wasnt there.

Especially when beginning parts of the race were taped from qualifying and added to the actual race due to lack of cameras.

 

[dump]

I won't pay! I will pay! Coverage sucks! Coverage rules! Won't watch with Warner! Warner is the best!

Nothing to see here, carry on.

 

[the desmondo]

What if you don't use a cellphone? They should have a PayPal option etc.

With the Scott fanpage on facebooks, does this code only allow you to watch the 1st xc world cup and not the dh and 4x? Lame

 

[illnotsick]

Viva rob warner

 

[Sverre]

2Euro´s is nothing. Thumbs up to Freecaster

 

[Transcend]

Guess they need to rename the site freeafteryoupaycaster



I'm fine with paying a few bucks for the live feed as long as there is a good quality stream, but hopefully there will still be free videos of the top 5 runs or at least a recap, paying for a live feed is one thing but replays should be free IMO.

And then no one would watch the live, and everyone would wait for the replay.

$3 or so isn't too much to ask I don't think.

4x will always be free, so you guys can check out the stream quality and new player. DH and XC will be charged for. The first XC this weekend will be free courtesy of Scott. It's a good opportunity for us all to check it out.

 

[time-bomb]

But, I think if they offered it as a package deal of sorts, like if you pre-order the freecaster DVD before the season starts you get access to watch freecaster all season long.

I like this idea.

its not like they are going to line their pockets with it are they?

nope, i doubt they are interested in profit margins

 

[Transcend]

What if you don't use a cellphone? They should have a PayPal option etc.

With the Scott fanpage on facebooks, does this code only allow you to watch the 1st xc world cup and not the dh and 4x? Lame

The dalby event is not a triple. There is 2 events before the first DH world cup. 4x will remain free to watch.

 

[Capricorn]

i'm with the guv'nor who suggested the preorder DVD scheme, and/or the paypal option of prepaying for some or all of the races, ie a prepaid viewing packages, with full season purchase including the DVD and some swag.

but hot damn, i would like stats on previous years racing, comparisons (like Seb's awesome aggregation of DH stats), more technical discussions, moaar rob warner, ie a lot like F1, if possible. But they they might have to limit the webcast to just the top 20 mens and ladies races, if only to save Rob's breath

 

[the desmondo]

The dalby event is not a triple. There is 2 events before the first DH world cup. 4x will remain free to watch.

I understand the schedule. I'm guessing the dh gets more viewers than the xc, so that's why this first xc round is a free beta test. My main beef is that you have to pay via your cellphone. They should have a PayPal option.