Want to know why no one watches sports on network

[cornermouse]

programming over the weekend any more? Take a look at it. Golf, horse race, golf, nascar race, golf, basketball, golf, soccer, golf, volleyball, golf; with a change up to football during the football season. ...At least for now. Who knows, they (football) may make the final move to cable/satellite by next year too.

In the meantime more interesting sports like baseball, speedskating, cross-country sking and ski jumping, gymnastics, track and field, boxing for example, seem to be on cable/satellite only.

This is someone's idea of progress, right?

:shrug: :eyes: :(

Please wake me if we ever get America back.

[DireStrike]

1. I don't get it...

But then, I think just about all of those sports in both categories are boring as sin...

Gymnastics and ski jumping are fun to watch, but that could be because I only see them once every 8 years. Basketball is tolerable once in a great while.

[cornermouse]

13. Baseball...

the crack of the bat, the umpire who obviously needs glasses, the melees, cork-filled bats.

The fun and excitement of a well-run and well-produced track meet. See them try to leap over the bar for the high jump, switch over to the 100 meter sprint, quick over to the shot put, back to the long jump, quick they're running one of the relays. I love track meets.

In fact, I like all the sports that I almost never get to see any more. Now where did that little cloud of gloom go to?

[DireStrike]

19. oh, baseball is the worst

Just another "stand around 20 minutes for 10 seconds of action" sport.

Track, I dunno. Might be another of those olympic curiosities elevated in status due to its scarcity.

[bluestateguy]

2. Who actually watches golf on TV?

I can see the appeal of playing golf (though I don't play), but watching golf on TV? I'd rather watch a congressional subcommitte hearing on CSPAN2.

[cornermouse]

5. Me too.

Watching someone play golf is on the same level of entertainment as watching grass grow.

[Beelzebud]

3. Sports on TV is there to keep you distracted.

[cornermouse]

9. And they're doing a lousy job.

:banghead:

[MrBenchley]

4. Ahem....

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlbonfox

These sure seem to be a lot of "nobody"....

http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,272%7C%7C%7Csports,00.html

[cornermouse]

8. I tried Fox after I got home today.... Briefly...

They had some stupid movie about a wife cheating on her husband.

[MrBenchley]

11. Here in New Jersey the game aired....

Yankees 5, Angels 2. I got to see at least the first inning.

[cornermouse]

15. I'm jealous. I really am.

[tridim]

6. I just finished watching the Red Bull Air Race World Series

on FSN. If you're bored with boring sports, you wont be after watching it.

I'm an airplane enthusiast and RC pilot so it's right up my alley, but I guarantee anyone would enjoy it. 300mph, 40 feet off the ground will do that. :)

[cornermouse]

7. Yikes.

Do they crash?

[tridim]

12. I'm sure someone will eventually

But I don't think anyone has yet. Just lots of great precision flying and butt clinching thrills. It has all the right elements to become a big deal as soon as people discover it in America.

[cornermouse]

14. I think it has a lot of potential.

:)

Is that anything like flying cross country to a tower or post, circling it and then coming back?

You've made me curious.

[ThomWV]

10. It All Bores The Shit Out Of Me

I don't see any difference between watching Golf and watching Football. Just a lazy man's way of mindlessly wasting time, either way.

[3dman]

16. Like it or not,

it's all about the money. Golf gets better ratings than the stuff you like, because many more people follow and play golf. More watchers means more money, which means more golf programming. I think it sucks too, but that's life. I have noticed more unconventional sports programming lately, such as the X-games, freestyle motocross, and others. Maybe in the next few years some of these things will catch on more and get more air time. Until then, I'll just stick to the Net and DU.

[Gatchaman]

17. You said "baseball" and "interesting" in the same sentence

that's should replace "military intelligence" as the definition of an oxymoron.

[cornermouse]

18. You've never done hang time while trying to catch a fly ball that is

going over your head, have you? Or stood up there swinging that bat and thinking "I'm going to nail that sucker (meaning the baseball)"? Or beat the ball to a base or celebrated a winning season for your league?

Sorry, this is a childhood love that carried over and never died. I doubt that it ever does.

[ThomWV]

26. The Post Is About Television, Not Playing Sports

So it has nothing what so ever to do with the joy of the game, its about the habits of couch lizards.

[cornermouse]

32. Like I said,

sometimes the joy of playing carries over.

[Sherman A1]

20. Agreed

absolutely the most boring sport that comes to my mind is baseball. (Actually think they are all boring, but baseball takes the top billing.... and it's such a very good inspiration to our children... steroids and all.....

[cornermouse]

23. You've never played either, have you?

[Sherman A1]

37. Yes, I have and I got over it.

[shanti]

41. hello!!

;)

[MoseyWalker]

21. I watch

because it is a healthy diversion from all war all the time. I'd go crazy if I didn't have other interests. I also like gardening, talking with friends, reading novels, and other things.

I'm even going to watch some preseason football tonight. Now that takes dedication!

[cornermouse]

22. lol.

It sure does. :)

[RoyGBiv]

24. Actually ...

It's someone's idea of how to make more money.

Cable networks offered more.

There's also a bit of blame for this state of affairs that has to be laid directly at the feet of the people who run the traditional networks. They thought they were safe, didn't have to compete. They failed, utterly, to accept or try to fit into the emerging sports entertainment culture, preferring instead to try to defeat it, which in the end was impossible. NBC, ABC, and CBS spent all their dollars and energy on trying to make everyone believe that ESPN, et al were just "start-ups," the new kids on the block," run by people who didn't know what they were doing. That worked for awhile, and then it stopped working when the revenues those networks generated became so obscenely high that the "new kids" could essentially write blank checks while the traditional network execs sat on their butts, all happy with themselves, never really noticing how badly they were performing. That is precisely how Monday Night Football got taken away from the traditional network, for example.

Another bit I think added to it is the traditional networks only even attempted to compete by becoming absurd caricatures of their competitors. (Dennis Miller? COME ON!!!) I don't remember the last regular commentator for a sporting event on a traditional network who didn't spend most of their time uttering insane babble about the game or event rather than actually reporting, analyzing, and commenting on it. They'd read numbers and other random trivia from computers and teleprompters, but you could tell they didn't have a damn clue what they were talking about. At the height of network sports popularity, you had commentators who *knew* the sport, and while they certainly did research beforehand and had notes, specific lines weren't spoon-fed to them for every situation from some guy behind the camera typing furiously on Google for something semi-intelligent to say.

And at some point, it seems commentators, no matter the network, were forbidden from showing any emotion about the game at all. A few of those are left, but they're all on ESPN now. I'd go off on a rant about a Cubs announcer that essentially got fired for giving his opinion, but I'll refrain.

Frankly, I prefer listening to games on the radio. If I am lucky, I can find a radio play-by-play, which I'll turn up, and still be able to see the game on television, which I turn down.

[welshTerrier2]

27. baseball on the net

for a whopping $14.95 a year, you can listen to every single major league baseball game with no blackouts ...

here's the signup link: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/subscriptions/gameday_audio.jsp

if i'm watching a ballgame on TV, i often mute the sound and listen to the live stream on the net ... the only problem is that the stream is usually about a minute behind the TV ...

[H2O Man]

25. Boxing ....

Old-timers like myself can remember gathering in a living room for the Gillette Friday Night Fights, and being introduced to the best young fighters in the world. Lots of those matches were in the greatest arena in the world -- Madison Square Garden.

And in the 1960s, ABC's Wide World of Sports carried many of the best world title fights, from around the world, in numerous weight classes. More, every good newspaper had a "boxing writer." Some, such as those from NYC, Philly, Chicago, and LA, had a few great boxing writers.

Last night, Pay Per View charged $50 for a fight between two heavyweight contenders for a "title" that is, at very best, a joke. There isn't a heavyweight champion now, and there hasn't been since Lennox Lewis retired several years ago. Back in the days when the US/state commissions illegally stripped Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali of his title, and he was inacive for 3.5 years, there was a tournament with 8 top contenders, with all 7 fights featured on regular tv.

The best thing boxing has going, in terms of media, is the coverage on ESPN, Showtime, and HBO. They stand out more, because of the lack of other coverage. Even the boxing magazines of today are of general low quality. The Ring, widely recognized as the best in the business, has glaring errors in each edition, which indicates either a lack of proper editing, or an unfamiliarity with the sport's history. And there isn't a single newspaper writer who specializes in the sport.

[ThomWV]

28. Benny Kid Paret

Back in 1962, when I was just a young lad of about 13, I was in Wheaton, Maryland watching a boxing match between Emil Griffith and Sonny "Kid" Paret, both welterweights, on the television in the Wheaton Bowling Alley. The bowling alley is long gone now, but then so is the "Kid".

The fight was broadcast live, it was early in the spring. It was the fight that caused the networks to drop boxing.

Griffith methodically beat the "Kid" to death and the referee did absolutely nothing to stop the bloodbath. Even as a bloodthirsty kid sitting on that stool I knew that the fight absolutely had to be stopped. Everyone sitting at that counter watching the TV knew the fight had to be stopped and many were yelling at the TV saying so.

The fight did not stop. The referee continued the fight for 12 rounds although Paret was dead on his feet (quite literally) after the 10th

Paret died a day or two later, I do not believe he ever regained consciousness.

And that is why you do not see boxing on network TV.

[H2O Man]

29. Though Benny's death

led to some politician's yelling about banning boxing, it did not change the amount of boxing on network tv.

Emile and Benny had split two previous matches, and their rubber match was highly anticipated. But, sadly, Benny had a very tough match shortly before he fought Griffith, and the boxing commission overseeing the Griffith fight really should have postponed it based on Paret's last fight. However, ever more to blame was the Kid's manager, who cared less for his fighter than for his horses.

Goldstein was usually a good ref. He did not see that Benny's arm was draped over the rope, not allowing him to fall when Emile hit him with the final volley of punches that took his life.

The fight was on March 24, 1962. Benny died on April 3. He had never regained consciousness. It changed Emile's career, of course, though not as far as being one of the most popular tv fighters for the next decade. His fights with Middleweight Champion Carlos Monzon, in '71 and '73, were both on network tv. And he had more than a dozen televised fights after the tragic Paret match in the '60s.

[shanti]

42. from one boxing fan to another

:woohoo: :hi: i miss the days of lennox lewis - he was my favorite boxer. the upcoming bout toney/peter should be good tho...

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

44. Man are you right

I used to watch boxing in the late 1950s with my Dad on a small black-and-white TV set and those Gillette Friday Night fights were a real event. My Dad, who fought pro himself, loved a fighter named Henry Hank for his short quick inside punching ability. They had quite a few of Henry Hank's early fights during a certain period of time, when he was considered an up-and-coming fighter and it seemed like he fought just about every four weeks. Those Gillette sponsored fights were the highlight of the week and I can still hear that theme song in my head. I remember the Ali-Liston fights (actually Cassius Clay at the time, but you know what I mean) and how they were THE topic of discussion in Junior High and the kids made some ridiculous bets with each other over who they thought would win. Big fights were more than sporting events in those days, they were major sociological phenomena. The heavyweight champion of the world was perhaps the most celebrated athlete in society.

[H2O Man]

45. Henry Hank

was a heck of a fighter. Today, of course, he would win one of the multiple titles. As you may remember, he was a middleweight, who often had to fight the top lightheavyweights of his day. Today, he might be a "Super Middleweight."

Some of the fights you likely remember would be his tough loses to some of the best fighters of the era. in January of 1962, he lost a 10 round decision to Pal Joey Giardello; two months later, he lost a 10 rounder to the great Dick Tiger, in one of Hank's greatest fights; in December of '64, Bob Foster knocked him out in the 10th round; seven months later, Foster would decision him in 10.

Giardello would hold the middleweight title; Tiger was the middle- and lightheavyweight champion; and Bob Foster is widely recognized as one of the top three lightheavyweight champions of all-time.

He was from Detroit, and was one of a group of really tough fighters who didn't have the opportunity that boxers today get. Guys like Randy Sandy, Herschel Jacobs, Ernie Burford, Holly Mims, Gomeo Brennan, and Georgie Benton .... like Henry Hank, they were known to boxing fans because of network tv, even though they didn't get the chances they really deserved for money, fame, and title shots!

[Dick Diver]

30. Personal taste vs. "progress" or ideology

It seems to me this observation is more a matter of personal taste, rather than getting "America back." I, for example, would not be interested in watching any of the "more interesting sports" (baseball to me is not LIKE watching grass grow, it IS watching grass grow), while I watch golf avidly (play a lot as well) and pay extra each month to get FSC so that I can watch Premiership soccer.

[RoyGBiv]

35. But ...

Golf, for example, has been on network television a *long* time, just not the Godebo (real town) Open, which has at its premier player the golf pro at the 9-hole Sandpit Golf Course, which itself was converted from a rock quarry. Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit (just a bit), but this is what irritates people like me who can pretty much watch any sporting event and get some enjoyment out of it. US Open? Great. Anything at Augusta? I'm there. The Mazda Senior International Open Live from Downtown Nowheresville? What the??? Give me something else as well because no matter what the sport, I get sick of the same thing, over and over and over again.

I mist Wide World of Sports, frankly, where every weekend I could be exposed to something different.

As for baseball, I have trouble seeing how anyone who enjoys *watching* golf on television can find baseball on television boring. Most people who do like golf on television tend to play it also, which is why I can enjoy it. I also played baseball, so maybe that's why I enjoy it.

In any case, welcome to DU!!! :hi:

[theHandpuppet]

31. I don't even bother with network sports anymore

Like you said, every other channel is golf, which has to be the most frigging boring spectator sport known to man. Hell, even curling looks like a white-knucke roller coaster ride next to golf, a silly game devised for men who weren't athletic enough to play anything else. I mean really -- I've heard sports announcers deride the athleticism of skating while drooling all over themselves because so-and-so could hit a wee ball with a stick onto an impeccably manicured lawn. B-O-R-I-N-G!!!!!!!!!!!

I go directly to cable channels now to sate my sports fix. I will have to disagree with you about baseball but it's a game that I much prefer to watch in person. It loses something in the translation to the TV screen.

[Broken_Hero]

34. Its commericials

same with football also, and college ball as well...baseball, when watched live, goes quickly, while the networks have to plug in their commericials.

When I was at Wrigley in 2000, I called my mom, to have her turn on the wgn channel, cause I was right behind the home field dugout, and I figured she might see me...this was in the 2nd inning, and my mom said the game didn't even start yet on wgn...

The networks have to sell everyhing, and anything...what really pisses me off, is the commericals going at the bottom of the screen...while watching the WB channel, I see a ton of commericials/ads streamlining at the bottom of the screen...you can't escape the crap...

[theHandpuppet]

39. I have fond memories of Riverfront Stadium...

... and having attended the games when the Big Red Machine was in full swing. Man, was that something, when I could go to a game and watch Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Tom Seaver, Joe Morgan, Dave Concepcion and crew in action. Baseball just doesn't translate well to the small screen. On the other hand, I prefer watching football on television to actually attending the game.

[Broken_Hero]

33. I know what you mean

but I like football, so the fall is pretty good for me! But my antennae didn't work well, and the CBS affiliate was hard to get in, and most of the nfl/college games were on that channel! Made for a lot of griping for me, but on the other channels, golf/tennis/nascar all came in clear as a whistle...bah!

But, I got tv now, I can watch whatever the hell I want!...:)

[Neecy]

36. baseball is becoming off-limits to the poor

Unless, of course, they're asked to pay the tab for wealthy owners.

In Jackson county, MO - after a lengthy and expensive advertising campaign meant to frighten the wealthy suburban voters by threatening them with 'losing' their teams - the voters approved a measure to raise taxes to pay for lavish and ridiculous improvements on the sports complex housing the Chiefs and Royals. While the tax is funding needed improvements to the Royals facility, such as updated plumbing etc the taxpayers money is being wasted in a new food court, a new play area behind center field featuring the Royals mascot and adding new seating to a park that's generally empty because the Royals field a shitty team year after year. Meanwhile the owner of the Royals, a Wal-Mart millionaire executive, pockets revenue sharing money rather than investing that money in the team - which is how revenue sharing was intended to be used - and turns a big profit on the Royals every year while fielding the cheapest and worst team in all of baseball. The guy should be run out of town (oh, wait, he lives in Arkansas) but instead he's being rewarded with taxpayer money.

What's worse is that for low-income residents of Jackson county - and there are quite a few, since Kansas City is in the county - they get almost no benefit for their largesse. The Royals have their own sports network that broadcasts on cable, so they can't even see the team that they're funding on television except for the occasional bone they're thrown by having one of their games on a local low-rent station once every couple of weeks. Attending a game, of course, is out given the ticket prices, parking, and outrageous concession prices. So the poor in Jackson county are subsidizing the wealthy while the doors are closed on them even enjoying (okay, not enjoying - these ARE the Royals, after all) the team they're paying for.

Almost all baseball games are on cable now. What's funny is how you hear MLB executives boo-hooing about how little interest in baseball there is in the inner cities. Clue? You can't enjoy a game you can't watch.

[SoCalDem]

38. Sports have found better deals on cable..and most people have cable

weekend programming just plain sucks anyway..

ALL programming sucks these days..

[shanti]

40. basketball isn't interesting???

get real, man :eyes: baseball sucks tho.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

43. And the biggest boxing matches aren't even on regular cable anymore

You have to spend extra money as they all seem to be going the Pay-Per-View route. Not only are they not on network TV but they're not even on regular cable anymore.

I don't understand why I should have to pay twice; once for cable programming and a second time as a premium. If football goes all cable, what's to prevent them from charging premiums as Pay-Per-View for games like major rivalries, conference championships, or even the Superbowl? And even if they charge enormous premiums for games like the Superbowl, what's to keep cable from then also adding major TV commercials as well, to recover extra revenue?