Thanks for all the support guys. This all came down in September. Those of you who hunted with me in August and September, I apologize for the chaos, and probably some level of stress.
Yup, Wal-Mart, here I come ...... "Would you like a cart with for that, Mam? Can I see your receipt, please?"
Ok, here is a summary.
OYOA was a new show in 2009. We were provided time slots that were what one would expect for a new show. In our first month, we finished ranked 33rd of the 140 shows on the network. By the last month of our first season, December 2009, we ranked 7th among the 140 shows. Very impressive for a new show with no big sponsors promoting us, no network pushing us, and the time slots we had.
Season Two ratings have been averaging around 40% higher than Season One. All great stuff. Thanks for all support and for all of you watching our show.
Our sponsors know this, as they get ratings, and they were very pleased. The network knows it, and they were very pleased. Fin gets ratings and rankings from an "undisclosed source," and I was very pleased.
When the network found out I had ratings for every show on the network and could then rank the performance of each show, they were not very pleased. But, it sure cleared the air about who is performing to what level. What a house of cards.
Everyone knows OC operates on two-year agreements. The other networks also know how the show was doing. I suspect that is why they started calling me in August. Glad to listen, but thought things would be a slam dunk with my existing network home.
As far as logical explanations, that is where my ability to bring logic to this outcome ends. They are a great network with a great brand in the outdoor TV world. They have their reasons for doing what they do, and obviously they are not going to share those with me. And, I have my reasons for looking at all option. Such is business.
It was told to me that OYOA and Randy are a model that is a harder fit with their kind of programming. Hmmmm. Guess that about 'splains it. What ever that means.
Good news is that we will now be airing four times per week, rather than three. The airtimes are what you would expect for a show that performed as well as we do. Very good chance we will be a year-round show, if the final details can be sorted out on that. And the ridiculous restrictions on my web activities and streaming on our website will no longer be holding us back.
The sponsors are very excited for this new arrangement, as am I. No, it is not ESPN, as they have cut all outdoor programming, effective the end of the year.
I wish OC all the best. No hard feelings on my end. Some humor, but this is business and being a CPA for the last 22 years, I can attest that sometimes business managers make decisions for strange reasons that are not always understood by those on the other side of a negotiation table..
I am not an easy host or show to air. I have a tendency to speak out on things most won't. I don't really care if someone gets their feelings hurt when the truth is spoken, even if it is me. I have operated with the independence to create my own message and be beholden to no one.
And, I will never give up on the ideal that the future of hunting in America is dependent upon the average hunter participating in greater numbers, even if that means pointing out the flaws in the TV models that focus on exclusivity rather than inclusion.
I am asking permission to release all the other stuff today or tomorrow, as it seems the cat got out of the bag when Fin's house was cleaned out over on the network website.
