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Official News
Candlepins for Dollars
February 16, 2007
Here is the official
news on the Candlepins for Dollars show:
I have
recently acquired the rights to Candlepins for Dollars from WHDH-TV. This has been a lengthy and somewhat expensive process,
but I now officially own Candlepins for Dollars! I am very excited, but a little nervous. What does this mean to all of you?
It means that we are going forward with Candlepins for Dollars. We have 2 major networks that are willing to negotiate airing
Candlepins for Dollars. I have met with the former producers. They are as excited and eager to get this show back
on Boston
television as I am. I don’t have all of the answers, but I will report the news as it happens. My hope is to begin taping
in August and air the first show of the new season in September. I would like
the show to follow our fall bowling season.
Some plans
for the future of the show: I will keep with the final roll-off schedule. The
centers that have hosted a final roll-off will be removed from the draw, until all sponsoring centers have hosted a final
roll-off. The final roll-offs proved to be very rewarding to the hosting center.
I would
like to reset the divisions by geographical area. I want to spread out each division to capture as many bowlers as possible.
We had 860 roll-off bowlers last year. We had 309 final roll-off bowlers, as well. If we can reduce the travel time, I can
see these numbers increase.
I will keep
my promise of having a ladies’ ladder. We will look at that experience and determine
if it is beneficial to Candlepins for Dollars. I want to believe it will be beneficial. This would also mean that one
lady will participate in the Tournament of Champions. Now that will add excitement! If the ladies’ ladder proves to
be detrimental, I have also promised to eliminate it. Let’s give it our best shot and see where it takes us!
Any new center looking to join will be assessed the entry fee of $1500. I have 2 ladder series prize money sponsors already. I firmly
believe there will be more to come. If an organization or a couple of centers want to get together and sponsor a ladder series
($4100), that would be great and I will promote it during the entire ladder series of shows. We have a couple of television
sponsor leads. If you can solicit sponsors or leads, I will follow them up. Please solicit other centers to join.
Please
keep in mind that I am doing this project in addition to my regular job. I am a supervisor of a natural gas company with a
territory from Andover, MA, to Rochester, NH. This time of year is extremely busy.
If you
have concerns or questions, please contact me.
Email:
maderios@aol.com
Now let's
talk this thing up! We need bowlers and bowling centers to jump on board!! I have demonstrated that I am working for all of
you, and I know that this show has proven good for the game of candlepin bowling.
I
really appreciate your support. We couldn’t do this without your support. Please share any and all of this information
with all bowlers and fans. Our fans are the best in New England! Their voice has been heard.
Let’s give them something to cheer about!
Bart Maderios
Coordinating Producer
Official News
January 06, 2007
Well, here’s the “official”
news on Candlepins for Dollars. I’m sorry it has taken so long, but there isn’t a whole lot to report. There have
been hours and hours of work done, but I have nothing to show for it as of today.
WHDH-TV, Channel 7, purchased WLVI-TV,
Channel 56. They took ownership on December 18, 2006. All of the WLVI crew was let go. WHDH-TV has no interest in Candlepins
for Dollars. They were gracious in showing the final show and I thank them for that.
However, Candlepins for Dollars is
not gone forever. The WLVI team attempted to transfer the copyrights for Candlepins for Dollars to me, the rightful owner.
After several attempts, WHDH declined. I plan to contact WHDH directly, to get the rights transferred to me. Candlepins for
Dollars has no value to WHDH. I could start another program, but the artwork and the show opening is done and would have to
be recreated. Not to mention I have a closet full of shirts that would be essentially useless.
This all costs money. Everyone wants
a show but no one wants to pay for it. I spent over $12,000 of my own money last year. Money my wife and I planned to use
for a cruise. I’m not complaining, I’m merely stating a fact. If I had it to do all over, I’d do it again.
I think the candlepin world deserves another show. Much of the reason I worked so hard is that I witnessed the fan outrage
when Stars & Strikes was cancelled. Fan support was enormous. I received zero support from the ICBA or the MBA. That’s
a shame. I was responsible for putting over $17,000 into the bowling centers for their cut of the roll-off fees. That’s
saying something to the industry. We held some very exciting roll-offs! The proprietors were very impressed.
This show began when WLVI-TV contacted
Mike Morin. Mike contacted me and after 6 months of intense work, we produced a terrific bowling show. We ran 35 original
shows. We had fun and it was a success, in my opinion. We added excitement and interest to television bowling. The first year
is the toughest. We got through it and we’re ready to do it again! I need the rights to Candlepins for Dollars. I am
confident that WHDH will come to agreement with me on that. I don’t want anyone to send emails or mail that may have
a negative impact on this negotiation. I ask you to be patient. I have kept my promises and will continue to keep any promises
I make. I cannot promise Candlepins for Dollars will return tomorrow. I can promise that I will continue to work to get Candlepins
for Dollars back on Boston television.
I would like Candlepins for Dollars
to remain on Boston’s CW, WLVI-TV, but I am not optimistic.
The new General Manager is due soon. I will attempt to negotiate with her, but I’m not sure she will be interested.
That’s not to say that she won’t be good at what she does. It means that she may be more interested in news programming,
which I have come to understand.
If and when I get the rights, I can
take the show to another station or network. I cannot go to them without a show. I have a couple of interested sponsors for
a small part and I am hopeful this will spark interest in many more sponsors.
Thank you for your understanding,
patience and support. I cannot do this without your support. I do promise that if anything, good or bad, develops, I will
post it immediately. So for now, no news is good news.
Bart Maderios
Coordinating Producer
Candlepins for Dollars
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