Couldn't NBC NOT allow Car Companies as Sponsors?

[peggypwr1]

This is a log shot, but I'll post anyway. I know Gear is a car show and makes sense to have car companies sponser, but if NBC did not allow car companies to sponser and let the other hundreds of companies that don't make cars run ads, wouldn't this allow the hosts to say there opinions with less fear of retribution?

[teeb]

Originally Posted by peggypwr1

This is a log shot, but I'll post anyway. I know Gear is a car show and makes sense to have car companies sponser, but if NBC did not allow car companies to sponser and let the other hundreds of companies that don't make cars run ads, wouldn't this allow the hosts to say there opinions with less fear of retribution?

Yes, of course.

Ads, though, have to cater to a "target audience". People who watch a car show are probably interested in cars and car accessories - these are the most obvious ads for a car show to have.

Also, execs tend to like money.

[MattD1zzl3]

Or they could have car sponsors, and if any are offended and want to pull their funding, they would have 3 other companies waiting in the wings to replace them. Prime time network television is advertising gold.

Enough with the "HURRRRRRRRRR, AMERICANS STUPID, AMERICANS RUIN TOP GEAR, I SMASH SPONSORS!"

[nist7]

Originally Posted by MattD1zzl3

Or they could have car sponsors, and if any are offended and want to pull their funding, they would have 3 other companies waiting in the wings to replace them. Prime time network television is advertising gold.

Enough with the "HURRRRRRRRRR, AMERICANS STUPID, AMERICANS RUIN TOP GEAR, I SMASH SPONSORS!"

Exactly.

If the show is successful, there would be plenty of companies wanting to sponsor and advertise during that show.

[TomCat]

It's no different then car magazines. I open one up and read reviews about cars that suck and are given a bad review and come in last place in a comparison test, but turn the page to see a full page ad for that car.

The thing about some of the stuff said on TopGear is that it's not just "the truth", it's an over exaggeration full of unnecessary insults and cheap shots. If a car sucks, then it sucks. No need to call the people that own the company that built the car a bunch of "dog eating commies" or something else. That's called being a prick, not being "honest".

[seigi009]

Originally Posted by TomCat

The thing about some of the stuff said on TopGear is that it's not just "the truth", it's an over exaggeration full of unnecessary insults and cheap shots. If a car sucks, then it sucks. No need to call the people that own the company that built the car a bunch of "dog eating commies" or something else. That's called being a prick, not being "honest".

But it's very entertaining to hear stuff like that.

[thedguy]

Originally Posted by TomCat

The thing about some of the stuff said on TopGear is that it's not just "the truth", it's an over exaggeration full of unnecessary insults and cheap shots. If a car sucks, then it sucks. No need to call the people that own the company that built the car a bunch of "dog eating commies" or something else. That's called being a prick, not being "honest".

But thats the fun part! I seriously doubt NBC would let the "Pacific rimmers" test happen, especially where they come out and make their own out of washing machines and what not.

I doubt NBC would prevent any car companies from sponsoring the show, but hopefully they can/will at least tell them to piss off when they are bad mouthed by someone on the show.

Originally Posted by MattD1zzl3

Or they could have car sponsors, and if any are offended and want to pull their funding, they would have 3 other companies waiting in the wings to replace them. Prime time network television is advertising gold.

It's worth so much that NBC is STRUGGLING to keep "Friday Night Lights" on the because no one wants to sponsor it (due to a lack of viewers). The only reason why they are trying to keep it going is because one of the NBC higher ups really likes it and is distributing costs with USA network now.

As I said before though, if GEAR gets the same demographic that Top gear currently pretty much owns on Sunday nights, then NBC will have no problem getting people to pay for advertising regardless of what the hosts say or do.

[Steve Levin]

Just because a company runs ads doesn't mean that the message is twisted.

Virtually every enthusiast magazine and show in the world derives major advertising dollars from car companies.

And this is common in all kinds of things. I've seen Walter Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal write absolutely scathing reviews of products, but I still see those companies advertising in the Journal.

I honestly don't believe it is at all something to worry about.

Steve

[watisdis]

Originally Posted by teeb

Also, execs tend to like money.

This pretty much sums it up.

[NooDle]

Originally Posted by teeb

Also, execs tend to like money.

That is infact the whole problem in the first place

[nist7]

Originally Posted by NooDle

That is infact the whole problem in the first place

Read:

"Just because a company runs ads doesn't mean that the message is twisted.

Virtually every enthusiast magazine and show in the world derives major advertising dollars from car companies.

And this is common in all kinds of things. I've seen Walter Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal write absolutely scathing reviews of products, but I still see those companies advertising in the Journal.

I honestly don't believe it is at all something to worry about."

[NooDle]

Originally Posted by nist7

Read:

"Just because a company runs ads doesn't mean that the message is twisted.

Virtually every enthusiast magazine and show in the world derives major advertising dollars from car companies.

And this is common in all kinds of things. I've seen Walter Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal write absolutely scathing reviews of products, but I still see those companies advertising in the Journal.

I honestly don't believe it is at all something to worry about."

I honestly don't think that any US Car show host will say "the new Kia is a piece of crap and they all should be destroyed" after which we see an ad saying how cool it is to own a new Kia

[FateMaker]

Originally Posted by NooDle

I honestly don't think that any US Car show host will say "the new Kia is a piece of crap and they all should be destroyed" after which we see an ad saying how cool it is to own a new Kia

That would be hilarious actually and they should go out of their way to make this happen.

Top Gear in the USA will have to found a new paradigm regarding independent reviews versus sponsor money and will have to make fun of the entire relationship to keep the upper hand. Automotive advertising funds a lot of profitable yet distasteful crap on TV which SHOULD be much more embarrassing to the sponsors than a handful of car enthusiasts making fun of their flagship sportscar's leaf-springs or their luxury sedan's automatic parallel parking program.

[Roadster44]

"Tonight, on Gear; we drive a fantastic new Hyundai Sonata with sexy flowing dynamic lines sexier than a Quattroporte, with handling no worse than an F1 racer (actually more like NASCAR racer...that will speak to Americans), interior which would put Rolls-Royce Phantom to shame, and emissions which just embarrass Prius! All for $24,444! Are you kidding me? I know I am getting one right now!"

I'm telling you...this is exactly how it's going to be. This is America and marketing people ruin everything. Example? Okay Simpsons mocked Fox News, so of course Fox itself said to Simpsons writers not to do that ever again because an average Fox News viewer might confuse the two. Okay? So that's USA - best these characters can do is bring American Gladiators back on air. Reminds me of Bill Hicks' comments, but I won't go there.

Star in a Reasonably Priced Car will be a part of it, some used car challenges (actually that will offend Ford, GM, Chrysler and UAW and everyone else who is a nationalist aka blind patriot these days), and whatever else. But dry, sarcastic humor won't make it. Too many people to please damn it!

[teeb]

Originally Posted by Roadster44

Example? Okay Simpsons mocked Fox News, so of course Fox itself said to Simpsons writers not to do that ever again because an average Fox News viewer might confuse the two. Okay

Er, The Simpsons have made fun of Fox (and Fox News) on multiple occasions, and it was one of the best jokes in the film...

I think my opinion of Gear has changed to "I'm just going to wait and see, if it's good then weyhey, if it's bad then no big loss".

[thedguy]

One thing no one has touched on, and I merely forgot, is that NBC doesn't fear the car companies not sponsoring the show, they likely fear them pulling ALL advertising. Thats usually how a protest works.

If you can find some other show on NBC to actually way, pay attention to how many car commercials come on the air and then you'll see why I've been so negative about the show.

[empowah]

The only reason why they're making Gear is to make money from advertisers - not to provide helpful consumer advice, demonstrate creative or artistic freedom, promote automotive cross-cultural understanding, or entertain viewers - unless that, of course, makes money.

I wouldn't be surprised to see this guy every 9 minutes...



... of car wax shill fame:



"But, but, but... we're CAR CRAZY!"