Remember that show about Harley-Davidson’s origins that we told you about? The word is, the miniseries was a big success.
Harley and the Davidsons aired on Discovery earlier this month, and according to the channel’s numbers, the three-episode run was very popular, with 4.4 million viewers. To put that in perspective, it’s the best single-channel miniseries in three years (since History Channel’s The Bible series).
On the three nights it ran, Harley and the Davidsons was the most-watched show (excluding sports broadcasts) for two important demographics: men aged 25-54 and men aged 18-49. Keen motorcycle historians will pick out some differences between actual history and the show’s storyline, but it seems as if viewers enjoyed it anyway.
So what are the implications? Remember the last time motorcycles became big business on cable TV, and we got Jesse James, the Teutuls, Indian Larry, and the rest of the custom scene? It’s unlikely we’ll see a reality TV takeover like we had back then, but this could open the door to some other shows on vintage bikes. Triumph, Indian, and to a lesser extent Royal Enfield would all have interesting stories to tell. Maybe zombie brands could become a hot television commodity, even?
This was a great series…apparently things weren’t as tense between HD and Indian as they made it seem…still a good show 🙂
I agree totally with TK4. I tried to watch but the 3 mins of show to 6 mins of repeditive commercials was too much!
I watched part of 2 of the 3 episodes. It’s impressive how Harley’s ability to market a brand extends all the way to mini-series television. It also shows how far Harley has strayed from it’s roots. If you believe the show, HD was an innovator in design and at the leading edge of racing. Anyone who walks into a Harley dealership today with that expectation is in for a big surprise!
The explanation for the popularity of that three part mini-series is found in the article itself–“it’s the best single-channel miniseries in three years (since History Channel’s The Bible series)”.
It’s clear that for some who are so devoted to the Motor Company that they display a religious fervour when discussing their HD bikes, being able to “learn” about the origins of the Motor Company is akin to discovering how God made the world as set out in the Book of Genesis.
I’m not a religious person, so I did not watch either the three part Harley and the Davidsons or The Bible series.
Hey bbb, where you been?
I had migrated away from the CMG world for some time but then found my way back earlier this summer.
Spent a few days last month riding in the County. larry can you fill you in!
By the way, nice piece.
Did you actually sit through the entire series as it was broadcast, or were you able to watch it using PVR and zip through what were, according to old bike guy, a whole lot of commercials?
I didn’t watch it. I don’t have cable and don’t intend to ever get it. I just followed up on the numbers afterwards.
If I’m in Ontario next year, I’d love to meet up. I’ve gone over your DYR routes through Ontario with Rob many times, updating them (only had the chance to ride them once or twice).
I had submitted those routes to Rob many years ago–so, if you’ve updated them, that’s great.
If you’re anywhere around the Big Smoke between mid April and mid-September there is no doubt I would make myself available to meet.
The truth is the mortal enemy of the state.
“Keen motorcycle historians will pick out some differences between actual history and the show’s storyline…”
It was not history, it was historical interpretation, and a painfully bad one at that.
Oh well, it beats watching reruns of Ice Road Truckers I guess, but not by much.
It was basically “concocted pulp fiction”. About the only facts were the Harley and 3 Davidson names. The timeline was inaccurate. The whole Ford- Servi-car issue did not exist. The 1908 “Enduro” episode was complete fiction. The clutch lawsuit by Bendix cost H-D only $18,000 to settle. The AMA “boss” who was going to “wreak havoc” and sic the cops on H-D never existed. Nor did the “Outlaws”. The head of the AMA from 1928 to 1954 (the “knucklehead” was introduced in 1936) was actually E.C. Smith who was on the payroll of the H-D company – was well as the AMA.
And on and on as far as factoids go. The whole production reeked of “El Cheapo” production – from the lousy script, poor sets and set dressing, editing (lack of continuity and development, non-period costumes and artificial aging make-up. Some recognized competent actors (Game of Thrones) but they were wasted with direction which seemed to be unable to decide on anything but “lets throw in another fight/confrontation scene.
AJ