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Originally Posted by ATSF_Cliff:

Thanks for the info.  Trains or no, don't think I can force my self to watch the "Today Show".

I hear you.

 

I caught it either last Christmas season or in 2010. It's usually: a) a very quick segment and J. Don (the Lionel rep) barely gets a word in, and b) for train folks, it's not all that enlightening. More of a seasonal pitch to the masses.

 

It's in the 9am segment anyway, so I'll miss it.

 

Somebody here usually posts a clip.   

 

 

 

 

 

This is GREAT news & PRICELESS publicity for O Gauge trains before a market of millions... & the many, many people right there in Rock Center.  I asked Don about this at York in October.  He said he hoped Lionel would get him on the "Today Show" this year as, for the last year or two, he was on "Fox & Friends."  He said that since that show is done in an empty studio, he missed the crowd that gathers around the layout for the "Today Show" Rock Center segment.  Additionally, I believe the "Today Show" has a larger audience than "Fox & Friends," so it is also better in that regard!    Good luck J. Don!! 

Why does everyone get so excited about a 1 minute segment about model trains when the TV hosts show so little interest themselves in the hobby. They look at the display - say this is really neat - then immediately move on the the next portion of the show discussing Hollywood gossip or women's fashions for next spring.

 

Why can't our BIG model train companies get more involved and show the technical features on TV to get the kid's interest or how a family can get involved TOGETHER for a change in a layout design and construction - even if its only under the Christmas tree for three weeks.

 

Hopefully this would inspire kids and their families to continue the hobby.

Originally Posted by JAMES STACK:

Why can't our BIG model train companies get more involved and show the technical features on TV to get the kid's interest or how a family can get involved TOGETHER for a change in a layout design and construction - even if its only under the Christmas tree for three weeks.

Probably because (1) those so-called "big" model train companies are not big at all in the grand scheme of things and (2) because network television is geared toward items that hold, in their view, the greatest interest to the largest audience.

 

All of us here love toy and model trains, but a healthy reality check is also needed from time to time to define our role and place in the bigger picture.

 

That said, every big of positive exposure the hobby can get, even if only for a few minutes, is well worth the effort.  Lionel deserves kudos for plugging away at this effort, obviously with some success.

Originally Posted by JAMES STACK:

 

Why can't our BIG model train companies get more involved and show the technical features on TV to get the kid's interest or how a family can get involved TOGETHER for a change in a layout design and construction - even if its only under the Christmas tree for three weeks.

The answer is pretty simple actually.

 

Since a single 30-second commercial slot on nationwide TV starts on average between $60-120K on up to half a million depending on the network, season, and time slots (again, that's per commercial), I would say that small, truncated time spots where at most the cost is limited to travel and set up, like what they get on the Today Show, is about the best they'll be able to do, TV-wise.  If the hosts were willing to give them more air time to delve into more detail about the family aspect as you're suggesting then I'm sure Lionel would do it.  As it is, they have a very short blurb where they have to make it quick, and that's certainly better than nothing. 

Originally Posted by ATSF_Cliff:

Thanks for the info.  Trains or no, don't think I can force my self to watch the "Today Show".

Same here! They will rush thru it, talking as fast, loud, and ignorant as they can.

And despite, advertising the segment so frequently to the point of madness...when they do show it, you end up losing a few IQ.

Several years ago, I stopped watching all Morning Show holiday segments, when after said frequent advertising about making Christmas Dinner....they rushed thru it so fast, talking over each other, talking like cackling hens so fast my brain matter leaked out! It was a total waste.

Unless its the Big Bang Theory or my local news, I avoid network TV like a plague.

Originally Posted by KOOLjock1:

Not to derail the thread, but when did they start calling Rockefeller Center "Rock Center"?  It was never called that when I lived and worked in New York.  Is this a "PC" term to avoid the connection between NBC and a robber-baron?

 

Jon 

I seriously doubt it. Maybe because 30 Rock was so successful on NBC? IMO everything doesn't have to be political.

Originally Posted by Doc Davis:
Originally Posted by KOOLjock1:

Not to derail the thread, but when did they start calling Rockefeller Center "Rock Center"?  It was never called that when I lived and worked in New York.  Is this a "PC" term to avoid the connection between NBC and a robber-baron?

 

Jon 

I seriously doubt it. Maybe because 30 Rock was so successful on NBC? IMO everything doesn't have to be political.

It is only "Rock Center" to the low information crowd. Fred

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