However, alternative sports programming is less costly than traditional sports because it is not shot live. Shooting these sports live would be quite an undertaking. Many of the events that fall into this sports genre depend on benevolent weather and environment conditions, especially the snow- and waterboard sports. Weather is a big factor in filming. Full camera crews may sit for days before the scheduled event can actually take place.
Location is another factor in prohibiting live broadcasts.
Many events take place off the coast of Australia or New Zealand, creating window difficulties for a live broadcast. However, Marquez claimed that this is one area that X Dream would like to explore, using satellite uplinks to broadcast international events. Another cost cutter is the lack of rights producers have to pay to film an event, although the sale of event rights has grown with the popularity of the sport. As an alternative to paying a flat rights fee, a producer can guarantee the event organizer ad space. The typical turnaround from event to broadcast can range anywhere from three to four weeks up to 10 weeks.