I think it is safe to say sports talk radio will always thrive in the sports world due to pure fact every sports fans enjoys discussing sports. Sure the fan enjoys highlights and surfing the web, however the idea of actual discussion of what is taking place in the sports world will never be overmatched.
Today’s sports fan is aware of the final score in last nights ball game, what they want to know is why is player A is slumping this season and when is my favorite team going to sign that over priced free agent. These questions are solved in sports talk radio and allowing for discussion brings the fan into the picture, something that TV and internet don’t do as well.
The ability to build an audience with radio is what allows it to be so successful. The average sports fan is heading to work tomorrow morning and he/she wants to know about what took place in the sporting world last night. John W. Owens from a piece in the Handbook of Sports and Media says “ Many fans have developed strong emotional ties to their sports teams by listening to old fashioned AM radio.” (Raney and Bryant, 123). Owens understands the bond people have with sports and radio and how it allows for fans to voice their opinion on all subjects.
Sports on TV are obviously very popular; however forming any kind of emotional tie with a television program is very hard to do. Really the only bond we have with any show is the ones that are discussion based. Programs like PTI and Around the Horn have discussion and opinions allowing for the viewer to get a better understanding of the sports world. You can say you are dedicated to Monday Night Football, however the only reason you are watching is for the game, you really have little interest in what the announcer are saying. Robert Bellamy, Jr. chapter titled “The Evolving Television Sports Marketplace” looks into televisions dominates of sports for the viewing pleasure and ability to build revenue. He says, “ The live event nature of sports creates an exciting atmosphere that is difficult to replace with other programming.” (Wenner, 86) The idea of sports on TV is all about the viewing pleasure and fans want to be entertained. When you listen to sports on the radio you have given yourself the chance to imagine it and I think the sports fan cherishes this more.
It is interesting to see sports talk radio aired live on TV and this shows us the power of sports talk radio. The actually fact that a person sits down and turns the channel to watch another man sit down and talk sports all day tells us everything. Everyone has an opinion and sports talk radio answers are questions and allows for us to be experts on all situations.
Chris Myers
Although many fans love listening to sports talk on the way to work in the morning, the internet and television are rapidly taking over what radio used to control. Blogging is the internets version of sports talk, except now it can encompass a much larger variety of fans and opinions. Radio sports talk is only heard by the people who live within the range of that particular station. With the internet, there are no boundaries to who can contribute. A blogger in Boston can potentially argue the same topics that sports talk hosts do, but instead of getting only feedback from Boston residents, they can also hear opinions from fans in New York and Los Angeles.
ReplyDeleteAs pointed out by Robert Bellamy in Media, Sports & Society, professional sports and television were made for each other. Bellamy states, “Television could survive without professional sports, but professional sports could not exist in their present form without television monies” (Wenner 120). People no longer want to hear a broadcast when they can just as easily watch it. The closest thing to being at the game is watching it on television, and that is what most sports fans want. The radio doesn’t give that air of being at the game like the television does. Although listening to a game on the radio is all well and good, the truth is that the only place most people have radios today is in the car. Personally, if I’m at home and want to figure out the best way to get a game broadcast, I’m not going to walk out to my car and turn the radio on. Television is just easier.
So are television and the internet better than the radio? Maybe, maybe not. It’s all a matter of preference. Either way you look at it, television and the internet are taking over what once was controlled by the radio. People can watch the game on television, and watch sports talk as well. Then, once they get their fill of listening to other peoples’ opinions, they can go online to a blog or other website and write down what they think of about a particular matter. Newer technology allows people to cover the game to a much larger extent than the radio does. In the Handbook of Sports and Media, John Owens asks, “just as we have witnessed the movement of sports programming from broadcast television to cable television, might radio listeners be forced to pay a subscription fee to listen to their favorite team over the airwaves” (127). If people are going to have to start paying to listen over the radio, it will only result in a higher number of television viewers. Radio is going to have to evolve, but if they have to start charging in order to pay for their broadcasts, it could result in the end of the radio age.
I really do not agree that television and the internet do not have a prayer in defeating sports talk radio. I am big fan in sports, even though I do not like every sport. I believe television and the internet are defiantly taking over sports talk radio. Fans love watching highlights of their favorite teams. Personally, I always watch “Sportscenter” to see what my favorite player did the night before. Sports talk radio can not show listeners highlights from the night before. On the other hand radio does talk about certain things that shows like “Sportscenter” do not talk about. For example, talk shows can talk about possible trades or conflicts between teammates.
ReplyDeleteIn “Handbook of Sports and Media” John Owens states. “In this era of digital technology, broadband Internet access, and 500-channel television service, it is easy to see how an “old” technology, like radio, can become viewed as ordinary.” I agree with this statement because I get all my sports news from the internet and television. I know there many of people that do still listen to sports talk radio, but I believe there are older people listening to the radio or people that are in a car most of the day. People that drive to work and are busy all day tend to turn to the radio for their sports news. I believe if I was a person that spends a lot of time in the car I would also turn to radio. I still believe after listening to the radio people still look on the internet for more information on the matter.
I think radio sports would not die down because people do depend on the radio to get their sports news on the radio. But radio will always come behind the internet and television. Issues that the radio talks about can also be found on the internet or if the story is really important people can watch it on television. As a true fan of sports I truly never turned to the radio for my sports news and I believe there a lot of sports fan the same way.
I think the internet and television is on the verge of taking over sports talk radio. Personally, i only listen to sports talk radio in the car if i am going on a road trip. I am a die hard sports fan and when i want to get caught up on what happened the night before or a game that i missed i would just turn on the television and either watch mike and mike in the morning or like PTI on ESPN or ESPN2. For example in chapter 5 in Media Sport it say "ESPN, having grown into the largest US basic cable service, has spun off ESPN2 which targets younger more active viewers" and also talks about how "ESPNews with 24-hour a day sports highlights and scores, as well as internet services." It is more people who looks at the television and gets on the internet to follow sports than it is people listening to the radio. As technology advances sports talk radio will deminish. I think it also depends on the person, if you are a person who just wants to listen to the radio then that's fine but on the other hand, if your just the laid back type that watches tv or surfs the internet than thats fine also. In the handbook of sports and media its says "Certainly radio has played an important role in our nation's love affair with sports" but to agree with what dominic said the only chance radio has to keep up with television and the internet is to evolve and advance with technology.
ReplyDeleteAs a little girl I grew up watching the Yankees. Whenever we were on the road we would listen to the games on the radio. I have childhood memories of John Sterling calling the Yankee games. I can recall his famous shouts of "It is high, it is far, it is gone" and "Yankees win, the Yaaaaankkkeeeesss WIN!" Even when we're home watching the game and the Yankees win, my dad pretends to be John Sterling and goes around the house chanting, "Yankees win, the Yaaaaankkkeeeesss WIN!"
ReplyDeleteThis is very similar to sports talk radio. People will continue to come back and listen to the same announcer if they like the announcer's personality. This is different from television because there are no pictures; the audience has to rely on the announcers vivaciousness. The more exciting the announcers make the calls, the better the game sounds and the larger the following. For radio talk shows like Mike and the Mad Dog people listened because the excitement they brought to the conversations. They were never mono-toned and always kept the listeners as well as the callers on their toes. They clearly had a large following, hence the common phrase said by callers, "long time listener, first time caller. "
As Chapter 7 says, radios are everywhere with us. When you are in the car during your morning or nighttime commute the radio is there. When you're at work or there's no television around, you listen to the radio. Radios are literally everywhere. This instant availability can't happen with blogs. While cell phones can attain internet, you cannot be driving or having a conversation while reading a blog.
Reading a blog requires you to pay attention. So does watching television. If you are watching television you need to pay attention otherwise you might miss a key point, especially in talk shows like PTI or Around the Horn. Both are very entertaining to watch, but nothing beats listening to the game or a topic through the eyes of a passionate sports fan.
Radio has this kind of impact on people because it is the broadcasters' job to not only paint the picture but to keep the readers interest. Radio has been able to create a strong following because the announcers are animated but at the same time radio leaves things to be imagined. People create the pictures in their heads and combine them with the announcers words. For these reasons, I think sports talk radio will be around for a long, long time.
-Amanda Pugliese
Sports Talk Radio is a terrific thing. When highlights on SportsCenter just aren’t enough, super fans tune into sports talk radio to get their fix. It’s ultra convenient for those who like to listen while they are in the car or just getting ready for work in the morning. Probably more so than other radio shows, sports talk radio is extremely interactive. Radio personalities encourage fans to call in and share their opinions on the air, and they do. However I wouldn’t say that the internet and television “have no prayer in defeating sports talk radio.” As a matter of fact, I’d be willing to bet that they will eventually overthrow sports talk radio all together.
ReplyDeleteMost people simply prefer TV highlights instead. Sports are very visually powerful, so shows like SportsCenter will never go out of style. And if it’s not enough to hear ESPN’s SportsCenter anchors talk about what’s going on in the world of sports, you have shows like PTI and Around the Horn. Still in search of the highlight reels? That’s why we have YouTube! Sports fans love the internet because it is a faster way to access a more defined point of interest. You can even watch live games on the internet. Unfortunately for radio shows, they will never be able to portray the visual aspect of sports.
Like we said in class, people like to see their players on TV because it is more personal. When viewers connect with their athletes, players become more marketable and fandom thrives. This is why we see so many close ups during games. You get no close ups on the radio.
In MediaSport ch. 5 Robert V. Bellamy Jr. explains that, “To Fox Sports’ President David Hill, ‘sport is the last frontier of reality on television…about the only thing that can guarantee an audience’ because of its ability to offer viewers around the globe ‘a shared communication experience’” (p73). TV games can guarantee an audience, sports talk radio shows can’t. Especially because lately people have been complaining that radio shows have become too commercial, and radio personalities are talking about things other than sports.
In addition to internet and television, blogging may even overthrow sports talk radio. Think about this: blogging is equally as interactive (if not more because its audience is global), and is readily available at your fingertips. What’s better yet, no commercials! If people text their friends more than they call them these days, then the next step is blogging about how much you hate Barry Bonds, as opposed to calling into a radio show and ranting about it. In a world so advanced with constant new technology, sports talk radio may very well be on its way out the door.
Leigh Weissman
While Television and Internet might not be able to “defeat” or wipe out sports talk radio entirely, they have certainly succeeded in taking away its thunder. Yes, sports radio is popular for those driving to and from work or traveling – but when you’re at home, in your living room – do you usually turn on your television/laptop or turn on your radio? The only radio I even have at school is on my iHome – and I’m not going to waste my time spinning the dial until I find a good sports radio station – especially not when I can turn on ESPN and have what I’m looking for in a matter of seconds. "When on discusses the media and sports, it might be easy to sidestep our mature broadcast companion in favor of the "fresh" communication technologies that deliver us multimedia highlights of our favorite athletes and/or teams." (Owens, 117) And yes, there is the argument that sports radio provides better local coverage while ESPN is very national and broad – but a lot of professional sports teams these days do have local affiliates. The Yankees have Yes, the Mets have SNY, the Sox and Patriots have NESN – and these are just a few teams in our area, there are plenty of others.
ReplyDeleteOn the same token, we have blogs. Maybe it’s just me, but if I want to hear about the raw opinions of other fans or sports journalists, I’m probably going to google it before I tune into WFAN (and that’s besides the fact that I avoided WFAN for a while because I just couldn’t physically handle Chris Russo’s voice/thoughts/attitude/existence anymore - thanks XM for taking him away)
This doesn’t mean that I don’t value sports talk radio. I’m an obsessive Yankee fan. I’ve grown up listening to John Sterling’s ridiculous home run calls. Everyone in my family makes fun of the famous “Theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Yankees win!” cheer. Even friends of mine who know nothing about the Yankees or baseball in general, have still heard that line. Whenever I’m in my car I usually flip back and forth between one or two FM stations and one or two AM sports radio stations I like. I remember driving home with my dad from Yankee Stadium after games 4 and 5 of the 2001 World Series – leaning closer to the car radio as if that would bring me closer to the post-game celebrations that were going on in the clubhouse. Sports radio has given me some great sports memories – and for that I could never truly write it off. However, it is easier to access television coverage and Internet blogs. Whether or not we all like that is irrelevant – because that’s just the reality of the time we live in.
In addition to the ease of accessing blogs and television versus radio - radio isn't as interactive as a blog - and doesn't bring you as close to the action as television does. If I want to express my opinion about something, (like how during the first 20 minutes of pre-coverage for A-rods live press conference about steroids, all they could talk about was what Derek Jeter needed to say/do/act/his posture?/facial expressions?! - ummmm he didn't use steroids ... ok, I'm ranting) I'm more likely to write on a blog than call into a radio station. It's faster and it's easier and much more convenient. And then there’s television. Television has brought sports fans closer to sports than any other media technology.
While radio brings you close to the game, it also forces you to use your imagination. Some would consider this a good thing, but our culture has become, how should I say it … lazy. “sports fans understand that despite the limitation of providing only audio coverage of a sporting event, radio encourages its listeners to produce their own highlights with an unlimited palette of images supplied by the human mind.”(Owens, 117) Yes, sports fans do understand that they need to produce their own highlights when listening to sports via radio – most of them just don’t want to – not when they can actually see it for themselves.
And while television isn’t the real thing, it’s the closest we’re going to get. “The live event nature of sports creates an exciting atmosphere that is difficult to replace with other media.” That’s why, when you can’t get to the game, at least you have television. “Sports on television remain popular with fans for a variety of reasons. Clearly, fans want to enjoy the action and escape from mundane affairs.” (Brown and Bryant, 100) Some even believe that television has the power to compete with, and at times even replace, the physical acts of watching sports. “It has become a substitution for the real physical experience formerly acquired in tangible areas – the wilderness, the playing and battlefields, etc.” (Owens, 126) Whether television is taking over the physicality of sports is beyond me, but I do believe that it has a much more far reaching effect than sports talk radio. No matter how much you love the broadcasters you usually listen to, and no matter how in-depth they go with their coverage – radio will just never be as real as television, or as interactive as the Internet.
- Liz Pirozzi
I agree with ebake23, I think that television is taking over sport talk radio. I think that the only time people are really listening to the radio are in the car weather it is in the morning on the way to work or at night on the way home. Other then that the television probably goes on once you get home. I do not know much about sports talk radio because I prefer to watch highlights or anything that I missed from a game on television. Everyone in my family are huge sports fans, mainly because of my dad having been involved with the NFL and the MLB. So I really enjoy seeing what goes on in a game or what happened in the game as opposed to hearing about it. I understand that sports talk radio is a great way for fans to state their opinions and have a say. But hasn't blogging taken that over too? I think fans enjoy seeing what goes on more then hearing about it, the fans get more out of the visual aspect, you can only imagine what is going on when you listen to sports talk radio.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 5 of Media Sport they talk about how television has such a huge impact on sports. CBS, NBC, ESPN all have contracts with the different leagues, so the players can make money, and the network makes money off of the team. Having sports on television is huge not only for the network but also for the teams/leagues. Look at the NHL, they lost their contract with ESPN and now the games are on versus. Today not many people know about hockey (granted not many are even interested) because it is not advertised enough, or on television as often as the other sports.
Like I said before for a league or team to be part of a network is huge the integrated marketing process mentioned in Media-Sport "is a way for sports teams and leagues to use their product to build revenues indirectly- through cable television, merchandise, advertising and the like" (Wenner 80). Having sports on television is a big deal the teams get themselves out there. Not saying that sports talk radio does not advertise sporting events or teams. However television is the better way of doing so because so many people watch television on a regular basis and not always listen to sport talk radio all the time.
Farrell Henneberry
I have mixed feelings about sports talk radio. I can listen to a game being broadcast over the radio, but when it comes to listening to an actual talk show like Mike Francesa on the FAN, I hate that. It could be the fact that I've spent numerous car trips where my dad has made us listen to that the whole way, but mostly its because I feel like they don't discuss sports with their listeners, they just yell back and forth.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that radio one day will be eclipsed by TV and the internet. Radios are slowly dying out. I intern for a radio station right now, and the listener numbers keep decreasing. People have radios in their homes, but most of the time if I have a choice of turning on the radio or switching on the tv, I'm choosing the tv. The handbook says that "radio encourages its listeners to produce their own highlights with an unlimited palette of images supplied by the human mind". (117) Not everyone wants to do that. I think the reason radio was so popular in the early part of the century is because people didn't have the experience of television to compare it with.
I also think that its possible for sports fans to have an allegiance to television broadcasters. I'm a Mets fan, and I would switch on SNY with Gary, Keith and Ron any day of the week over another channel. I am absolutely faithful to them.
So I think that with all of this, sports talk radio might be facing some heavy competition in the years to come.