To gain a TV audience you need (1) sponsor interest, i.e. financial support, (2) a producer to pull together creative production resources, (3) research to convince a media channel such as a cable or online network that the production will deliver an audience large enough to attract advertisers. The advertising placement and sponsor exposure is where the finances come from to support the production. If the research doesn't realistically reveal an audience potential, it's likely not going to get financial support.

A smaller media venue is required to stage something (such as a grand prix race) as an example of the potential audience. For years sailboat racing has had little success in attracting large audiences. But technology now allows for a broader understanding of what's going on out there. Staging a samll demo of this technology--creatively produced--is what you flash around to lure in sponsors because the test research audience saw the demo and gave it a positive reaction. But even all that demo-ing and research can be expensive to do. You need some serious seed money, not just a cool idea.