NBC on track for new cycling program

Programming executives at NBC are finalizing plans for the premiere of a new “reality” TV show based on the day-to-day travails of one of this country’s most beloved professional road racers.

“The whole bicycle racing thing is something of a mystery to most Americans,” said NBC’s vice president for reality programming, Graham Gibson. “Most people don’t really grasp the intricacies of the sport and it’s not for television’s lack of trying. We’ve tried to make the sport a profit center, but no one really jumps on board. What we finally decided to do is to develop a fan base by focusing on one single, appealing – albeit slightly skewed – character and see where it goes from there.”

Gibson said that NBC has been quietly working on test episodes of what is tentatively titled “You Gotta Love Horner” for two months. Gibson said the network has already inked a deal with the Belgian-sponsored Predictor Lotto team to “tag along” with American Chris Horner as he travels and races in the U.S. and Europe.

“They bought into it,” he said. “Like Americans, the Belgians love reality TV and the national network had a successful run of a similar program, focusing on the Vandenbroucke family. They knew exactly what we wanted to do here.”

The first two episodes of “You Gotta Love Horner” were screened at a Los Angeles affiliates meeting in mid-March. Gibson said the reception was enthusiastic.

“What’s not to like about this guy?” he asked.

Local programming officials are currently finalizing purchase agreements and, if those contracts reflect the positive reception the show received at the meeting, it may debut as a summer replacement program in late May.

“We know they’re going to buy into it,” he said. “Have you met this guy? I mean neither of the Pauls or even Mikey on ‘American Chopper’ has a thing on Chris Horner. We spent two days with him – one in Oregon and another in Spain – and we probably got a season’s worth of material right then and there.”

Despite Gibson’s optimistic prediction, affiliate meetings often produce unexpected results. While Horner has an appealing personality, it may be the program’s low cost that ultimately wins local broadcasters’ hearts… and wallets. Gibson noted that the network is not investing a lot in “You Gotta Love Horner” series, but the “long-run pay-off could be significant.”

“Look, reality shows are cheap,” Gibson told VeloNews. “We pay a contract to the subjects, send a crew, edit tape and see where it goes. If people embrace it – and who isn’t going to like Chris? – then maybe it will develop into something we can pursue in other areas. Eventually, maybe the network will go after rights for the Tour de France. Outdoor Life Netw…errr… errr… Versus has built its entire year around a relatively small investment in the Tour. What about honest-to-god broadcast rights? We can snap it up for next to nothing and maybe boost our audience at a time of year when there really isn’t anything else going on.”

Gibson said a final decision on the show will be made in early April.

“Maybe even on April first,” he said.

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