Even better news is that DOWN RANGE will continue on its merry way! I created DOWN RANGE partly out of my frustration wth delivering informatio in a broadcast format. Television time and production is stunningly expensive...you find yourself saying things like, "Heck, it's only a measly half-mil" and actually mean it. We broke new ground with SHOOTNG GALLERY and COWBOYS. I insisted from the very beginning that I wanted a different kind of show, one that devoted all its "editorial" time to a single subject. That decision was based on my own reactions to what I think of as "attention deficit disorder television," the standard magazine-style firearms show. It used to drive me crazy to watch a show like AMERICAN SHOOTER, where just when something got interesting, it disappeared.
Magazine television is structured the way it is not because the viewers want it that way, but because it is perceived to be easier to sell "pieces" of shows than a whole show. In addition, the multiple pieces allow the opportunity for multiple product placements and endorsements...of course, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. From the ground up, SG and COWBOYS strived for credibility, and advertisers have flocked to us because of that simple reason. If Tequila or I tell you we use it, we use it. Our shows are based on the viewers, not the bottom line. I think of it as NO B-S TELEVISION, and it is what we do! I love money as much as the next guy — heck, maybe more! — but I believe that the viewers, you guys, come first.
Let me give you a quick example...I've been working with an industry visionary, Larry Potterfield of MIDWAY USA, for more than a year on the best way to have Midway join SG & COWBOYS great list of sponsors...CRIMSON TRACE, RUGER, SIGARMS, MAGNUM BOOTS, etc. Rather than a commercial, after much back-and-forth we decided on a series of "vignettes" hopefully giving the viewer a little more information as well as a big plug for MIDWAY...where much of our disposable income goes anyway! I worked with Larry on the subjects of the vignettes and their presentation, and I'm pretty proud of what we came up with and how he's been able to put them together. You start seeing them next season.
DOWN RANGE is a way to get beyond the 24-minute pallet I have with broadcast television, and give you more TAKE-HOME information. I've wanted to do a continuing series on CCW for a long time, and now we're underway. I'm looking forward to doing the downloadable audio series on my talk, GUNFIGHTER LOGIC, and offering you guys an inexpensive e-book version of an updated TRAIL SAFE. Yeah, I'll make money, but I'll make it doing something I want to do, and that I believe has value for you.
Next week, we've got additional CCW video courtesy of Ralph Mroz, one of the best and most cutting-edge law enforcement instructors out there. I've had a lot of demand for more point-shooting technique, so when my friend and colleague LEO instructor Dave Arnold told me how pleased he was with D.R. Middlebrooks' shooting classes, I went to D.R. and asked him whether he'd produce four 5-minute videos on his training techniques for DOWN RANGE, and that's in the works. You'll also be happy to know that in April I'll be going to GUNSITE to film a series of "GUNSITE TIPS" that you'll only be able to see on DOWN RANGE. As we progress into the summer, I've got top competition shooters lined up for tips, as well as more controversial interviews.
And, BTW, I have meetings in New York City next week that may have a profound effect on DOWN RANGE...can't tell you more than that, but I'll keep you informed!
In the meantime, I'm drafting plans for a SHOOTING GALLERY and COWBOY "CLASSICS," so you won't be stuck with just plain-vanilla "reruns" but rather revised shows where I can sneak in some new update information, etc. I'm also working on the "concepts" lists for the next season of original programming...and it will be spectacular...because we have the access and the support that other shows can only dream about!
Stay tuned, both to The Outdoor Channel and to DOWN RANGE...there are still LOTS of paradigms for me to break!
Michael B
PS: To the people who spent all last week telling everyone on the industry who'd listen that Michael Bane was, and I quote, "dead...Dead...DEAD!"...let me say that rumors of my death have been great exaggerated...
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