Away Game Viewing This Season

[T-Bone]

After trying out the official away game viewing bar and giving them a second chance last season Tau Ceti and I weren't all that impressed with the way they treated us. We've decided to start going to The Thirsty Fox for all Argo away games this season. We went last night and spoke to the main bar tender about it. He said he is willing to put on the first away game on June 26th on the main screen with sound (Crossing fingers the CBA gets sorted and the game happens) instead of the Jays game and we'll go from there. The place was busy last night for Game 1 of the NBA Final. It would be nice to see it full of double blue, so if you're interested please come join us. They have good food and a decent variety of drinks. They also have daily specials, you can check it all out on the link above. I will put a reminder in the game threads but I just wanted to give everyone a heads up in advance.


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[Deerkeeper]

I'm find that quite surprising, not the fact that you have to convince a bar to show an Argo game but the fact there are people still watching NBA. With Raptors out and no more american limelight for those bandwagon jumpers to bask in, I'm suprised that anyone is still interested.

[Wobbler]

Uh... yeah. The championship round of a major North American sport. Who'd want to watch that?

[Invader]

Uh... yeah. The championship round of a major North American sport. Who'd want to watch that?

Well, the highest rated NBA game last week drew 145,000 viewers across Canada. In comparison, TFC drew 97,000 viewers on Saturday, while the Jays topped out at 598,000 last Friday. The Thursday NHL game drew 4,084,000 viewers.

The CFL drew an average of 706,000 viewers last year for regular season games (English audience only). Many will claim those are all Sask. or prairie viewers, and "nobody" watches CFL in Toronto, or so the theory goes. But there must be some interest because the Argos did draw 3.6 million viewers from the extended GTA to watch all or part of the 100th Grey Cup game. That's half the population of the region.

Recent surveys and polls have shown the Argos are the 3rd-most popular team in Toronto, coupled with a strong TV audience. The main failing of the Argos is low attendance in a huge stadium...plus the aloof and detached media coverage.

But I'd challenge any team in the CFL or NFL to automatically lift the blackouts to every home game for 25 years (with a half empty stadium) and see what that does to their seasons ticket base?

[Wobbler]

Nielson ratings don't include bars. Even people who aren't fans of the sport will go to a bar to watch playoff games.

[T-Bone]

I'm find that quite surprising, not the fact that you have to convince a bar to show an Argo game

Actually, we didn't have to convince them to put it on. He said he would put on the game on the 26th even if it's just Tau Ceti and I. Anyway If you're interested come out, everyone is welcome.

[Invader]

Nielson ratings don't include bars. Even people who aren't fans of the sport will go to a bar to watch playoff games.

Actually Canadian TV ratings most absolutely do include viewers in bars & restaurants. If you remember a couple years ago BBM went to wireless "people meters", which resulted in most sporting events showing a marked spike in viewership. PPM's now track Canadian's every audio/video activity, including watching a game in a bar, at a friend's house or recording the game and watching it later, are all counted in Canadian TV ratings.

[Wobbler]

Really? Thanks for telling me know - I wasn't familiar with PPMs.

[Deerkeeper]

Uh... yeah. The championship round of a major North American sport. Who'd want to watch that?

Take the North out of the North American and then you will get a better idea of what this championship is and who it represents.

Actually, we didn't have to convince them to put it on. He said he would put on the game on the 26th even if it's just Tau Ceti and I. Anyway If you're interested come out, everyone is welcome.

Unfortunately, it's a bit far to get to from Barrie. Besides, I have pretty much given up on sports bars. They never show anything I want to watch anyway. If the day ever comes when I can walk into one of those places and see a world cup downhill, or a Dimond League event, or (god forbid) an actual Junior hockey game, then I'll know we have finally seen the light and that the world of sport is much more than just that American professional crap.

[T-Bone]

Unfortunately, it's a bit far to get to from Barrie.

Ya, that's a bit far. Unfortunately no location will work for everyone but anyone that wants to come is welcome.

[Tau Ceti]

No takers thus far, I see. I do hope a few people try to make it as we want to at least modestly impress the bar with turnout. It's a really nice place. We picked it because it's a stone's throw from the Allen Road and Eglinton West subway station, so good for people both off the highway and coming from downtown.

[ArgoFan1]

I will go. I went to Shoeless Joes a few times over the past couple seasons. That is further away from me, so this new location works out well. I don't think you should judge the potential turnout from responses you get here, because I was planning on joining you, but didn't decide to respond here until your last post, in which you said that there were no takers. Hopefully we get a good turnout.

[T-Bone]

I will go.

See you there and hopefully a few more people can make it. GAME DAY! I'm excited.

[ColdCrusty78]

I'm probably going to hit up WEGZ for a few of the away games this year. I've had them put the game on a couple of times and there accommodating.

[LLB997]

wish i could make it out. out of town currently. hope this happens again for an upcoming away game. AAARRRGGGOOOSSS

[T-Bone]

I will go.

It was good seeing you.

wish i could make it out. out of town currently. hope this happens again for an upcoming away game. AAARRRGGGOOOSSS

Tau Ceti and I plan to be at The Thirsty Fox for all the away games this season unless we are attending the away game. There were four of us out last night. They had the game projected on the big screen with sound and it was a good time outside of the result.

[Tau Ceti]

I'll be going back to the Thirsty Fox for the latest game on July 18. We should get a TV but I can't promise sound on a Friday unless we get a few of us out. Strength in numbers! If you've got no plans then come by.

T-Bone has started a Facebook event if you want to show your solidarity that way: https://www.facebook.com/events/418631771609122

[ArgofanIan]

can't make it out this time for Sask away game .... gotta work tomorrow... hopefully I can link up with you guys latter in the season.... Thanks for trying to organize this.

ARRRRRRRRgoFanIan

[T-Bone]

can't make it out this time for Sask away game .... gotta work tomorrow... hopefully I can link up with you guys latter in the season.... Thanks for trying to organize this.

ARRRRRRRRgoFanIan

No worries. There will be more away game viewings and we will be planning an ArgoFans.com meet up in the not to distant future. I'll be at the bar tonight.

[ArgoFan1]

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend this game. Too late, as I am planning on being up early Sunday. It is at least a 40 minute drive home for me from there. I won't be at the next viewing either, because I will be at the game in Montreal. Saturday, August 23rd looks like the next one for me.