Naturally, modern tech—smaller cameras, better microwave links and television drones etc. have helped enormously but even so it's a huge credit to all those involved.
Naturally, modern tech—smaller cameras, better microwave links and television drones etc. have helped enormously but even so it's a huge credit to all those involved.
I have been watching Grand Tours since I was a kid; watching together with my dad was our family ritual and I am emotionally attached to it. However, this year I was a bit busy and I did not watch Giro d'Italia. But I found time to watch content made by NorCal Cycling and The Vegan Cyclist.
I know live-streaming a huge event like Tour de France is not comparable to making videos about a personal experience and publishing them after the race. But GoPros and drones made possible videos like [1] - as a cycling fan, I find that really exciting. A talented filmmaker and storyteller (like The Vegan Cyclist, in my opinion) can make a lot of bang for the buck with them. And what is especially enticing about this kind of content is the experience of "being inside" - personal attachment to the protagonist and a lot of footage from within the peloton. And pro cycling is not very good at it yet.
Maybe that was the hole the Netflix documentary was trying to patch? I have not seen it yet. I have seen the first two seasons of "The Least Expected Day: Inside the Movistar Team" and I think that was a good idea, although they should hire someone like The Vegan Cyclist to make it interesting (BTW, I have no affiliation to the guy).
It might seem crazy that I see events like Tour de France competing with "amateurs" but those amateurs might be able to attract a lot of attention for a dollar and I already see some money going in - like The Vegan Cyclist being sponsored by Canyon and a bunch of other companies.
Moreover, their interests often turn professional and when they do they're usually good professionals because their work is more than just a job.
My interest in television started much earlier than before I was professionally involved in TV, it grew out of an interest in electronics as a kid which I did as a hobby, this developed and that became one of my professions.
I do have one concern however, amateur interests, sports and others often risk becoming too big. When that happens big money usually gets involved and that can ruin the amateur status for all but a few elites at the top. We've seen this in the Olympics, football, etc.