WMO Viewing

[pwake7]

Seems like this tournament has been bigger and better every year. Why is this tournament not covered on versus or espn? The monster shark tournament is, why not WMO? Im just curious and dont know about the cameras on boats and all the logistics but it seems like it could bring more people into OC from the coverage. Is it sponsorship, money?

[Anthony of the ARK]

i think the reason why a tv channel has not picked it up is due to the number of boats. there are so many boats and only so many camera people. alot of boats run to the fence every day, it would take alot of money to get a helicopter out there for the over head shots like they do for the monster shark tournament

[Swami]

I would respectfully offer that it's money. The size of the event doesn't help things from a production standpoint, but greenbacks make the world go 'round.

The networks make money through ad sales. The production companies (the ones that shoot the shows for the networks) are usually paid from the event organizers, who hope to regain some of this investment by participating in the ad revenue earned by the networks. But airtime and production costs a ton of money, plus you have to "sell" this concept to a network so they will pick it up.

So a production company goes to WMO and says, "We can shoot this year's tournament for you for $X and maybe you'll make $X plus $Y when it's aired." That's a tough call since you could just keep your money in your pocket and not risk it on trying to make $Y (and risk losing $X that you put up to start with if it doesn't work out).

Plus the WMO is a "one-off" event--it happens once a year and then it's gone again until next year.

Finally, there's something primordial about sharks that absolutely fascinates the average non-fishing viewer--I'm talking about those poor schmoes in Kansas that have never even seen the ocean, and might not even fish for bass. Don't ask me why sharks are so intriguing, as billfishing is much more exciting, but it does. Blame it on Peter Benchley and the Jaws phenomenon.

Just a few thoughts...

[CR Bound]

I think that people think sharks = man killing machines.

Only a fisherman knows what a rush it is to catch bill fish.


This happens all the time at school. I said "I fish for tuna, and then you say sharks" its like everyone is interested in the conversation. Most people dont even know what a tuna looks like whole.

just food for thought

[Fast Forward]

WMO is a great event but it would take a lot of camera crews to get enough footage. Think about how many fish are caught by just the top boats after three days of fishing. Just off the top of my head maybe 10 boats with more than ten fish. Now how many boats do you have to have cameras on to get some of that action. You just know it will be like, left teaser, camera on, fish is already eating left flat, you get to see him come tight and the fight. The good stuff is already missed.

[pwake7]

Maybe a local news channnel or the OC channel. Anything is better than watching bass fishing all the time. While they are not showing the weigh ins, they could do interviews with captains and the crowd partying. Almost like preakness. Just an idea that i know i would enjoy watching.

[BuffaloHunter]

A lot of good points so far. I also think not many people can't relate at all to any aspect of the WMO. The Vast majority of people in this country do not live near the ocean. An even greater number has never been out of sight of land. Even a lot of people who go to the scales say "Wow look at that big swordfish." or say to their kids "You see that little billy, thats a swordfish."

Its not even within the realm of understanding or possibilty for most people to concieve going off the end of the Earth to Catch a fish on a million dollar boat (perhaps even more unthinkable would be on a 25ft center console as many of us do). The WMO is such a spectacle that it may be best covered in a one hour documentary or even a movie. I agree there would be no way for ESPN or VS to Cover an event with 300+ boats covering Thousands of Square Miles of Ocean over an entire week.

[whitey]

If they aired the WMO on TV it would give it big time exposure to animal rights activist and they would have a huge protest at the scales the following year.

[BuffaloHunter]

If they aired the WMO on TV it would give it big time exposure to animal rights activist and they would have a huge protest at the scales the following year.

Probably, they've already gotten ahold of the shark tournaments.

[chrbrwn26]

What about OC Fishing Center?