NBL *NOT* saying “Buh Bye” to BT
*Click For Friday 10/16 Update*
The NBL has seen quite a bit of chatter around the proverbial campfire in recent weeks. Earlier this month, there was an announcement that track operator fees would be going up in the new year, touching off a flurry of activity on the message boards, and burning up the inboxes of the higher-ups in Hiliard.
Then on Friday (10/10), the ground began to rumble with activity when people opened their mailboxes to find the October 2009 issue of “BMX Today,” the official NBL publication. Deep within the issue (Page 54), just past the Grands coverage, a full-page ad touted “Coming Soon BT Online.” Lower on the page, smaller than the headline, the ad continued “Starting in 2010, BMX Today will only print a few issues per year…” By Saturday Night at 6:58PM, the discussion started in earnest on Vintage in a thread called “BMX Today, 4 issues a year?.” As of Monday morning, it had 46 replies and 1,168 pageviews.
BMXNEWS does not have a position either way as to which is better for NBL members. We do, of course, feel that the best method, in general, is one that gives the reader the information they need in the shortest amount of time, while still allowing them to read it at their leisure. Thus, we are encouraged by an expanded, online, edition of BT. The view was expressed, in the Vintage thread, that NBL c/should have rolled it out gradually, but that strikes us more as a business decision, subject to any number of variables to which we are not privy.
By nature, threads posted on message boards are a melting pot of ideas, views, opinions and in many cases, people’s own agendas (or fantasies) on how they wish the issue to be. Add to this the BT ad touting “a few issues per year” would be printed (thus being unclear as to the exact number), and BMXNEWS felt we needed to dig a little deeper to find out the exact skinny from the NBL, and also see if we could get a verbal peek on the coming enhancements. The following Questions (and corresponding answers) were posed to/answered by BT Editor Jess Moore today:
1). Is there a “new” BT, or will it keep to the same format now in print
(one underlying question readers have is “will we now be reading about races five or six months ago in the magazine”)?
The new print BT will be printed four times a year (Editor’s Note: See bottom of article for update). It will be a smaller format and will contain program information, schedules, track listings, a sampling of recent columns, and new rule changes. There will also be a “Best of” section featuring the best photos from the past few months’ racing. It may also highlight the “big” race from the quarter, ie. Grands, Christmas, South Park, etc. We will send more issues to the tracks so they can continue to use them as promotional handouts for new riders in the months in between publication.
2). Is there a plan to eliminate the print version of BT entirely? If so, when?
There is no current plan to completely eliminate the print version of the BT.
3). Regarding the new NBL website, what features will it offer (specifically to address the absence of a BT), and how quickly can members count on viewing race results and race coverage once it is up & running?
The new website will have a sub-section completely dedicated to “BT Online” it will have all of the same content from the current print version and more. I will update the rider, track, team spotlights and other “columns” monthly while the race reports will be updated ASAP after the race.
Content-wise, I will also be able to do more online. I’m planning on featuring special videos from Justin (Travis’) clinics in a revamped Coach’s Corner section. I can see other sections being enhanced in similar ways. I will also be able to archive all the past BTs for easy, searchable access online. While the archives won’t be populated at the launch, I will fill it up as I have time over the next few months.
4). Is there anything else BMXNEWS readers should know about this topic?
Riders, tracks and teams should also note that the new website will contain a profile page for all of them. For riders, their pages will feature their current points and direct links to their local track news. If the track director and team managers are diligent with the updating of their profile pages, it should provide a good way for riders and tracks to stay in touch. For instance, if a track has a new race added to the schedule or a cancelled practice, the track director can log in, make that change on the profile and every rider who has “friended” that track will receive the update in their profile page.
(end response)
Our thanks to Jess for the quick and comprehensive response to our questions. The inquiry email was addressed to both NBL President Ken Masters and Jess, and Ken empowered Jess to answer us directly after conferring on the questions.
The question in the forums then turned to the ABA, and what their plans may or may not be for a frequency adjustment to their in-house mag “BMXer.” When contacted by BMXNEWS this morning, ABA BMX CEO BA Anderson said “we have no intentions of going to an internet based publication only. If and when we launch an internet-based magazine it will only be to add value to our existing members and track operators, though we will always continue to print the BMXer.”
BMXNEWS will stick with this issue, and bring you updates as they develop.
*UPDATE* On the Thursday (10/15) evening NBL Board meeting conference call, board members voted to extend the frequency to six issues from four. This has been seen, by many, as a lesser of evils, and was met by appreciation by the members who commented on the Vintage thread.
