For 25 years fans have watched sports programming on cable and satellite television.
Fans who watch sports on television get more than just the video clips and highlights of the game; they get to know the athletes on a more personal level. ESPN and Fox are the two largest providers for sports news and talk. SportsCenter is also a popular sports program devoted to highlights. Sports radio is a great outlet to get your fix on sports talk but video clips are what have defined sports. Fans watch sports on TV to escape from their daily stresses while also allowing fans to watch their favorite teams in the comfort of their own homes. Advances in television such as high definition and sharper images can make a fan feel like they are actually in the stands, a more realistic viewing.
Fans views these programs for the entertainment and love of the game, sports announcers don’t just provide the stats but also present the inside news on the athletes. Such as Kobe Bryant and his sexual assault charges. Should the entertainment industry and sports industry collaborate, or should they stay separate? Or is sports part of the entertainment industry?
Because of such realistic viewing from big screen TVs and HD, do you think that fans are less likely to attend actual games and avoid paying rising ticket prices? Or does the atmosphere of screaming fans, hot dog vendors and personal viewing still have the same effect it did in the past?
“There is no denying the power of HD sports: Shaper images neatly transplant the viewer out of the living room and into the stadium, minus obnoxious drunks.”(Raney and Bryant 101)
Cable television networks and programs have more power today than before in the sports industry. But who decides what games are covered and what don’t? Networks like FOX who are affiliates with MLB decide the content, “the line between content and coverage is continually blurred when professional teams venture beyond the boundaries of media and partnership and into the realm of media ownership, and vice versa-when media properties invest or retain ownership in sports teams”(Raney and Bryant 157). Is it fair coverage for professional teams to have pull in coverage and has this made for less of a variety of coverage for other teams?
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This past Sunday I was watching the Celtics/Suns game, and although I rarely tune into the announcers and I usually just allow it to be background noise on the television, during this particular game something sparked my interest. The two announcers were talking about the Oscars that were occurring that same night, discussing the pre-show and how there was much anticipation for the gowns, the stars, etc. Now as a female, I must admit I was extremely excited to see that this was being discussed, however as a sports fan I was completely thrown off. Looking at this from the opposite standpoint, I don’t think you would ever see E! covering an NBA game unless there were stars courtside, and that’s the extent of their coverage when it comes to sports. So why is the sports industry becoming more entertainment focused?
ReplyDeleteWhen Danielle states, “Fans who watch sports on television get more than just the video clips and highlights of the game; they get to know the athletes on a more personal level”, this statement could not hold more truth. Its no long how many points an athlete can put up, but the story behind that athlete seems to almost matter just as much, if not more. When Kobe goes up the line, the announcers feel that this might be the most opportune time to discuss his latest scandal, they might zoom to his wife, who has ‘stood by him’, and this then becomes the most dramatic foul shot I have ever seen. I think the question is, have we demanded this type of coverage as a society, or is it just the sports industry attempting to expand their audience?
In the handbook it was said, “Reminiscent of the O.J. Simpson case, sometimes sports figures dominate news outside their sporting environs,” (Brown and Bryant 97). I think through this statement it is clear that the sports industry has quickly become part of the entertainment industry. That said, I don’t think the sports industry is going to ever have to fear losing dedicated, hard-core fans attending their games; or them choosing their couch over the actual stadium.
Yes the new HD-TV’s are great for superbowl Sunday, and all other major events, but nothing will ever be able to replace the excitement and thrill of going to the ballpark, or sitting courtside when the Lakers come to Boston. The current state of the economy might slow things down for a little while, but as long as there are fans, stadiums will continue to fill up.
In this economy, the HDTV's and surround sound systems are likely to keep fans away from the nosebleeds and into their living rooms. Think about it, given a choice, would you rather pay $75 for an upper level seat at a Celtics game, or flip it to Comcast SportsNet HD and watch the game in a clear picture free of charge. This is the campaign that many television companies are honing in on. "HDTV could have profound implications for attendance at live sporting events" (Brown and Bryant 101). With the way the economy is, coupled with the fact that HDTV's can make the viewer feel that he or she is in the arena watching, attendance will just continue to drop.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to comment on Danielle and Janelle's statement about fans getting personal information about players that they watch on TV. I think this is true to some extent, however the internet has made it so that you can be getting more information there. Sure, when you're watching the game the announcers will throw in little tidbits about the player's off the court issues, but 24/7 you can go on the Web and find out just as much if not more.
- Corey Hersch
Danielle brings up a really good point. Is HD television and satellite television keeping fans away from going to the the games? I think that since so many people do have HD television or satellite they are more likely to stay home and watch the game since the picture is so sharp. It really is like you are there. Plus you don't have to pay the expensive ticket, you get a front row seat right on the living room couch.
ReplyDeleteHowever I also feel that people still love to go to the game. Nothing has changed the love of a sports team and seeing them play in person. The atmosphere, the screaming fans, hot dog vendors, and so much more really do make a day of going to the ballpark, or the football stadium. I think people love the game so much it reminds them of their childhood of going to the games with their fathers or mothers etc. No matter how great the picture on the television is or how expensive the tickets are that will never stop people from going to see a great game of baseball, football or any other sport. It is exciting to just be at the game cheering for your team. Sitting at home on the couch is great and free but is still not the same feeling you get at a stadium full of screaming fans.
I do have an HD television and I love to watch the baseball games just sitting at home with no worries. The picture is really amazing you can actually see blades of grass blowing in the wind. But when I go to Fenway and see the players out on that field my adrenaline levels are high. Knowing what has happened in that stadium in years past, I feel apart of it. Like I mentioned before the atmosphere is just so incredible, and the people are always friendly. You will never get that feeling by sitting at home on the couch. There is no greater feeling then the way I feel waking into that stadium.
Another great point brought up by Danielle is that television does seem to be taking over the sports industry, probably because most people would rather stay at home instead of spending money. Most leagues have contracts with different television networks so it is easier to reach the viewers. The networks like NBC, ESPN, FOX are really taking these leagues and making them media friendly. Danielle mentioned that they are deciding everything for the teams. What to put on the tv and what not to etc. That is frustrating for the different teams because some teams just might get more coverage. The red sox and yankees probably get more coverage then any other teams in the MLB. I feel that it really comes down to what league is associated with what network, and who is making more money because of that. In my opinion the sports industry is all about making money, tradition and love of the game is slowly going away.
Farrell Henneberry
Danielle brings up an incredibly interesting point in just how great of an effect will the continued rise in popularity of high definition (HD) television have on the sports world? My family got our first 50 inch HDTV about two years ago and I can personally attest to the fact that it changed my television viewing habits forever. Watching a football or especially a hockey game in HD is incredible and makes me enjoy the game even more as I almost feel like I'm there in person.
ReplyDeleteRaney and Bryant discuss the implementation of HDTV which for the most part began in 2004; "high-definition television offers viewers new on-screen perspectives that exceed the capabilities of mere analog and digital television signals" (100). This book is a couple years old as today in 2009 nearly every major sporting event is broadcast in high definition. As of 2008 networks such as YES, SNY, and NESN began broadcasting every single Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox game in HD. This was not a unique occurrence as regional sports networks across the country are in the process or already have done exactly that. Obviously these networks understand that the sports fan is infatuated with watching games in HD as well as the fact that one day HD programming will be universal in television.
This raises the obvious question of how big of an impact will HDTV have on the attendance figures on ballparks and arenas across the country? "There is no denying the power of HD sports: Sharper images neatly transplant the viewer out of the living room and into the stadium, minus the obnoxious drunks" (Raney and Bryant 101). Personally I still believe there is something very special and unique about attending a sporting event in person. To me at least you cannot replace the incredible atmosphere at a close and exciting Knicks or Rangers game at Madison Square Garden. If presented the opportunity to attend a game in person I will always prefer that than to watch the game on TV. Having said that I can easily understand how many people now prefer to stay home and save a lot of money from ridiculous ticket prices and watch an incredible picture on their flat screen TVs. Diehard fans will always brave the cold weather and be willing to sit in the upper deck to watch their teams play but most casual fans don't feel that way and might start to stay home more than ever. I can admit that it always take me a while to adjust to not having an HDTV in my college dorm as I am so used to watching every big game in crystal clear high definition. People always told me "once you go HD you'll never go back" and now I can say without hesitation that I completely agree. Especially when it comes to watching sports...