RV TV Show?

streamlean · 01-10-2004, 09:33 AM

Hi All -

I would like to do some preliminary market research if you guys are up for it.

I'm a TV producer and have been wondering if a show dedicated to RVers exists? What I'm thinking of is a show that would highlight the industry as a whole showing new RVs and products while doing a general "review" of them.

I've also thought about including a section dedicated to general repair/restoration of older units like the one I have.

Any thoughts on this from you guys? Negatives? Have you seen anything like before? If so please include the names if you can remember them and where I might find them.

Thanks Much,
Al

PassatPilot · 01-10-2004, 09:46 AM

RV Today plays on OLN (Outdoor Life Network) 7 days a week. The website is www.rvtoday.tv Mostly general and simple RV information. Perhaps an Airstream channel would work out! Good luck!

**CanoeStream** · 01-10-2004, 09:48 AM

I Googled on OLN RV Today and got some interesting perspective (see Open Roads Forums comments).

streamlean · 01-10-2004, 10:11 AM

Thanks Bob and Passat -

The comments were interesting on the Open Roads Forum. Trying to fill 7 days a week with a solid fresh program would be a very difficult challenge.

People tend to tune out if it's nothing but reruns eveytime you watch it. Seems like making it air only once a week would be more ideal. RVtoday's website says they only put together 26 shows a year. That makes for a tremendous amount of re-runs when you play it 7 days a week.

**CanoeStream** · 01-10-2004, 10:18 AM

I believe they put on one show per week. It hasn't interested me mightily but I usually see it on our schedule early Sat & Sun afternoons.

streamlean · 01-10-2004, 10:40 AM

Just a thought here but what about a show dedicated to general repair and restoration?

Kind of like This Old House but This Old RV?

59toaster · 01-10-2004, 10:51 AM

Get some manufactures to donate parts and I'm in. I'm even local to you

I do product reviews for a web site for trucks. I'm a parts slut and will work for parts on that site. www.ck5.com The AZ kickin and CTM stories are mine.

I'm too ugly to put on TV but I'll volenteer my lovely wife.

We are in the middle of a ground up. Welcom to get some pictures. It's not far from being mobile again but the interrior is in my garage. Once it warms up I'll be back to working on it.
http://www.airforums.com/forum...&threadid=6554

ALANSD · 01-10-2004, 10:53 AM

RV today is very basic info on RVing and travel. It never gets any deeper than how to clean your awning, or new ideas for hanging wet stuff in your bathroom to dry. Occasionally a chef tells how to make on the road dishes.
I personally would enjoy a weekly show that approaches RV repair and mechanics and redo ideas like the shows that run on speed vision for hot rodders and car nuts. Could have a feature on interiors that have been done, etc
Tours of the plants where they make the rigs also are interesting. We visited Blue Bird and had a great tour. They also have a campground which was full of vintage Birds camped out while getiing maintenance.
I think there are enough rv'ers who would like to do more to their rigs than they are able to. You could spend many shows on the Airstream trailer or motorhome alone, besides the myriad of other issues that all Rvers face. A good run down on winterizing....etc. RV today does some of this once in awhile but not much. (for instance they did a spot on grey water tank repair) .

Moonshot · 01-10-2004, 12:20 PM

I stopped watching RV Today. Mostly, it seemed geared toward RVers that didn't want to get their hands dirty.

I think a show on RV repair and restoration would go over well. I occasionally watch a show on DIY called Shipshape Boating because they sometimes touch on issues relevant to trailers.

Good luck with your idea.

Scott

markdoane · 01-10-2004, 12:40 PM

Like 63wind says:
The "shipshape boating" show on DIY channel is a good model. Some of the shows are really basic, like how to replace a tongue jack (????)
But others, like the gelcoat repair, are full of good detail.
Keep the topics small so that you can get enough detail to be useful, and mix in some 'general' topic stuff for a broader audience.
From the looks of the shipshape boating program, it only takes two guys to put a nice show together.

bredlo · 01-10-2004, 02:01 PM

Hey everyone,

Al: what a fantastic idea. I think the one-per-week format is perfect, maybe 25 episodes per season, and the This Old House model is IMHO definitely the one to pattern yourself after. It's obvious their formula has staying power (this is their 25th year on air.)

It's a perfect mix of a restoration project balanced with pieces intercut to show how a specific element is made, (I'm imagining a 5 minute piece midway through the show - perhaps a tour of the Zip-dee plant in Elk Grove Village, IL.)

Having a host, and a small panel of one or two reoccuring experts, like a carpenter to create custom furniture and general handyman to do electricity and plumbing would be nice, and a greasemonkey to discuss dents, discuss brakes, towing and axles.

I'll volunteer my '63 Globe Trotter as a donor unit to use for the first season, and supply as much of a budget as we can. It needs work in all major areas, so all topics of restoration and maintenence could be covered. Getting a sponsor like Camping World to donate the rest would really cut down on the production budget.

Al, I think it's important to stick with a single project for the whole season. Most viewers will be tune in repeatedly to watch the progress over the weeks, and other than tiny stuff, nothing of much substance could be covered in a 22 minute eposode anyhow.

I have video editing experience, on-camera experience, and would just flip out to participate in this project if you want to get it off the ground. With all the articles, websites and local news pieces about restoration, and the fact that the demographic getting involved in restoration (under 40 crowd?) is the same ones who would watch the show religiously, I don't think you can lose.

Best of luck, and keep us posted. PM me if you want any other suggestions, my brain is swimming with ideas for this project.
Brad Cornelius

davidz71 · 01-10-2004, 05:40 PM

There are so many different floor plans and models of Airstreams over the years, wouldn't it be neat just to have someone attend rallys and unofficial mini-rallys that occur over the U.S. of just Airstreamers. You could see the different models that showed up, interview the owners who would do a walkthrough of their unit and might discuss any modifications they have made. You could then add in any activities the group attended and local culture. It almost seems you would have more than enough material for programs each week.

My thirst for Airstream knowledge sometimes gets the best of me. I guess you would have to have a broader audience than just Airstream owners and those interested in Airstreams to make the program last.

zduke4x · 01-10-2004, 06:13 PM

I have noticed that the Roger Kuralt(sp) "On the road" that was on Sunday mornings, the original Wally Caravans in the 50's, and the upcoming "Made in America" with the Cheers postman Cliff seem to have stay power and general appeal to the broad audience while mixing in hooks to RVers.......Rv Today is really only so much fluff.....great ideas...jem

campcollector · 01-10-2004, 08:10 PM

I vote for rv restoration show. There are many folks who own and modify there rvs, RV owners as a whole must be somewhat indipendant and self reliant, I think that kind of how to show would go over well. Same idea as the hot rod building shows.