FSW Bad Production Values

[mouseboy33]

The production values on the channel is horrendous. The on screen graphics are old and amatuerish, especially the ones in use during the matches. And its confusing and annoying to have 2 languages on screen at the same time. They should have to separate video feeds instead of cheaping-out by just having separate audio feeds. The pre-match music is annoying and outdated. The MLS broadcasts are simply third-rate. The cameras seems as though they were bought from a going out of business sale from 1970. There is always a washed out feel to it and the transmission. Their colour is usually all over the place. Watch a match on ESPN and the grass usually looks a healthy green instead of one shade away from grey as it dones on FSW. The audio is forever a constant issue. During the HOF match the crowd level was higher than the audio commentary, not that I wanted to hear that awful Max Bretos. But it was annoying for the sound to go in and out. That is normal for FSW. The set designs for all the shows are old and outdated. The new set for FSWR is outdated already. Bad design. The lighting is horrible and the camera work again looks bad and washed out. The music is horrible and repetitive. And the graphics had to be created by Stevie Wonder...that spinning ball thing is cheaping look and annoying. The full screen graphics are badly done. And they recently changed them to this new style. Where did they get these people? The MLS Wrap show is simply badly produced. Cheaply made and Sean Wheelock is dreadful. Set, graphics, music, pacing, everything.

Yes I realize that the international matches will look different because of satellite transmission, i'm referring specifically to the elements that FSW adds like the opening music & montage and the graphics, all second rate and old and outdated. When they re-did the channel idents I was hoping that would include the on-screen match graphics, but alas its the same rubbish from the day they started. And they are usually obtrusive.
Yes I'm happy we have them to broadcast the matches, but that doesnt mean they should put any old crap on air. The comparison with the other FOX Sports channels make this channel look like its run by high school students. Even SpeedChannel has better sets and graphics.
The only decent onscreen elements on the channel idents. They need to go back to the drawing board and follow the cue of their sister channel SkySports. Clean and simple.

And for those that are quick to reply "DONT WATCH IT". I'm applauding their efforts, I just think that FOX could pump up the production values and improve the picture quality of the channel. I'm mean if you switch from one of the other FoxSports Channels the quality drops off significantly. I think we deserve more. Come On FOX!

[OldFanatic]

Do you have like, a couple of million dollars to spare? :)

[odg78]

--Less complaining, more Relacore buying. That's the only thing that will help.

[BhoysFC1995]

lol, yes i need more relacor.

[GutBomb]

i've never seen such a big bitch-fest in my entire life over nothing.

so what if the picture quality is a little sub-par. it;s good enough to see what's going on. you do know that 10 years ago all tv looked the way FSW does now right? bad picture quality is a small price to pay for soccer on television.

and the "multiple languages at once thing"... i am not sure what you are talking about there. i've never noticed anything like that on FSW. I have on GolTV though.

Seriously. even though you said it yourself, i'll say it again. if you don't like it, don't watch.

[jstlouis]

Feel free to send us a few hundred thousand dollars and we'll update the look...then cut us a check for about a million and a half for new computer system containing graphic elements, opening animations and music licencing.

Ya - we could look a LOT better but we're not ESPN. We do not have their elements, their rights holdings, their thousands of personnel and most of all THEIR MONEY. We make due with what we have and while it may not be upto your lofty standards, we get a lot of people who comment on the fact we've changed things up a bit and that we're at least making an effort.

I'll keep an eye out for your gratuity cheque in the mail.

J1

[nigerianman]

Cheaply made and Sean Wheelock is dreadful.
I think we deserve more. Come On FOX!

Ahahaha - this is a funny piece and i laughed through it all. The only thing i agree with is that Sean Wheelock just sucks. I cant say this enough. FSW c'mon give us a bit more.

[Lithium858]

Feel free to send us a few hundred thousand dollars and we'll update the look...then cut us a check for about a million and a half for new computer system containing graphic elements, opening animations and music licencing.

Ya - we could look a LOT better but we're not ESPN. We do not have their elements, their rights holdings, their thousands of personnel and most of all THEIR MONEY. We make due with what we have and while it may not be upto your lofty standards, we get a lot of people who comment on the fact we've changed things up a bit and that we're at least making an effort.

I'll keep an eye out for your gratuity cheque in the mail.

J1Gosh, Fox is cheap cause ESPN Classic has better graphics than FSW and it's also a digital cable channel. Fox needs to have more faith in the station and spend some money!

[Forza Badger]

I've actually never really seen a problem with the gfx or picture quality on FSW. Given depending on the game/league the quality will change, but it usually isn't that bad. I hardly watch the MLS, but I will say it is terrible, FSW or not.

FSW is the only channel on DirecTV that plays soccer. Who gives a flying ******** if they don't spend millions on flashy visual crap like ESPN. Honestly do you need huge letters and flashy letters to appreciate the game more? Quite possibly the stupidest rant yet.

On a final note I must get up early to catch the Chelsea game on FSW. :mad:

[nigerianman]

Feel free to send us a few hundred thousand dollars and we'll update the look...then cut us a check for about a million and a half for new computer system containing graphic elements, opening animations and music licencing.

Ya - we could look a LOT better but we're not ESPN. We do not have their elements, their rights holdings, their thousands of personnel and most of all THEIR MONEY. We make due with what we have and while it may not be upto your lofty standards, we get a lot of people who comment on the fact we've changed things up a bit and that we're at least making an effort.

I'll keep an eye out for your gratuity cheque in the mail.

J1

Well maybe the rant was a bit over the edge but you would agree with the comment on Sean Wheelock. Out of all the announcer you have on FSW everyone seem to single him out for his lack of gae calling skills.I dont think there is a world wide conspiracy against him, the guy just plain sucks. He needs improve his skills greatly with non-american league games or just have Alan Hopkins do the games remotely when he his on vacation - i personally wouldnt mind - anything but Wheelock.

[jammybastard]

Hey Mouse,

let's break this down shall we?

The production values on the channel is horrendous.

On the whole channel? Every show?


You do realise that FSW is primarily a content distribution channel right?
They only create FSWR, FBF and "Matt Brown's Guiness Pub Crawl".
The rest is up to other individual cotent creators.
Plus you've got source material coming from all of the world, sometimes between 3 broadcast stadards.

Considering the various source materials I'm impressed that FSW looks as coherent as it does between raw feeds like Bundesliga matches and fully packaged shows like "EPL Preview"


The on screen graphics are old and amatuerish, especially the ones in use during the matches.

What would you prefer? Perhaps 2 robots that pop up from the scoreboard when a goal is scored and vaporize each other?

Duuuude! That's sooo 1995!

Seriously though, what more do you need? A glowing ball? How about a constantly moving yellow line on the screen all the time to mark the offsides?

Are the onscreen gfx too simple, the colors too bland?
Maybe. But they are simple which has the added bonus of keeping them unobtrusive and out of the way of the action.

If there is any bitch I have as a director it's the the yearly graphics "improvements" that take up more and more of the screen, and for what?
To show me a freaking score!?! After all, that all anyone looks for. Score, and the time left in the match. That's it.


And its confusing and annoying to have 2 languages on screen at the same time.

Confusing? One lower third graphic with maybe 15 words, 4 of which are in Spanish is too much for your brain to handle?
Puhhllleeeze!

Soccer is an "I-N-T-E-R-N-A-T-I-O-N-A-L" sport.

Did you ever think there were other people besides you watching this and that they might speak another language?

Why does it all have to be tailored for you?


They should have to separate video feeds instead of cheaping-out by just having separate audio feeds.

And where would you suggest they put it?


The pre-match music is annoying and outdated.

Why do you even worry about whether the music is outdated?

Would you rather hear "Jock Jams Vol MCMXII" over and over again?
How about "Hey Ya" by Outkast or "Let's Get It Started" by Black Eyed Peas?
Certianly timely AND annoying!


The MLS broadcasts are simply third-rate.

Talk to the MLS. That's their show. They produce it and they buy the time to show it. Not FSW's problem.


The cameras seems as though they were bought from a going out of business sale from 1970. There is always a washed out feel to it and the transmission. Their colour is usually all over the place. Watch a match on ESPN and the grass usually looks a healthy green instead of one shade away from grey as it dones on FSW.

So let's get this straight...
not only are you an aspiring graphic designer/music critic, but you also are a video AND transmission engineer?

There's alot more to live remote production than cameras. One key element is lighting. When you watch Monday Night Football, the World Series, or even ESPN's College Football "A" game you are seeing a broadcast that is usually using a large amount of supplemental lighting (provided by Musco) to make the field as bright as it is. That's the way you get the grass to "pop" like it does.
Also the trucks and cameras they are using a now all digital which further improves the image. With digital cams the video engineer can "paint" the colors to be brighter far easier than with an analog camera.

The MLS b-casts are nowhere near that league due to the $$$ available.
They don't have the budget for extra lighting, the best Corplex truck, etc...

So what you get is an image that is usually underlit, and then is compressed for distribution via satellite. MPEG2 compression is brutal on the color black, and so with an an underlit night game you get a particularly nasty picture.

Again, none of that has to do with FSW, but the source material they have to work with.

But you kew all that right?

Considering you unlikely to see any of that for a long time would you prefer the MLS not produce their own games and pay to have them broadcast?
If so, write them a letter.



The audio is forever a constant issue. During the HOF match the crowd level was higher than the audio commentary, not that I wanted to hear that awful Max Bretos. But it was annoying for the sound to go in and out. That is normal for FSW.


Actually, I'll agree that FSW has some audio issues, but you are confusing two different problems.
When you hear more crowd noise than the announcer that's not FSW fault. That's the Audio Engineer in the truck, at the game, having problems with his levels.
FSW gets one video and one stereo audio feed of the game. They can't control individual audio elements from an event.

As for their problems...
yes Bretos is tough to take.
The other problem they have had in the past is having lousy audio on their PPV feeds, though this year it doesn't seem to be an issue.


The set designs for all the shows are old and outdated. The new set for FSWR is outdated already. Bad design. The lighting is horrible and the camera work again looks bad and washed out.

Now you're a set designer!
So what would you do different?
"Outdated"? Compared to what?
"Bad camera work"???
The camera's NEVER MOVE!!!!
How can they be bad?

They've got 3-4 cameras.
Here's the show:
Slow push at the top, cut to a single with graphics, dissolve to tape.
Out of tape to a single, two shot, single for reaction, two shot, three shot, etc...
Not rocket science.
They get fancy when they come back from commercial with a studio shot from the lighting truss!
How can you criticise that?
You really think a jib or a low tracking shot would make a difference?
Sure it would, they would look like everyone else.
Other than that it's the same as Sportscenter but with out the 'roided out annoucers, garish set and "woosh!" sound when they go to tape.

that spinning ball thing is cheaping look and annoying. The full screen graphics are badly done. And they recently changed them to this new style.

I agree the graphics are not the best, but at least they took the window frame key off of the "TOP 10 Goals" segment. That was my pet peeve.

It's funny that you crticize all of the elements of the FSWR that have nothing to do with the actual content of the show. Are you really that moved by the the bells and whistles? DO they really make that much of a difference?
Do you really need an orgy of color, sound and unmotivated camera movement to enjoy a newscast?
If that's the case can I suggest turning off the tv and taking some Ritalin?

What the FSWR has going for it is a low key, yet entertaining approach to presenting highlights and commentary.
Their content is excellent which in the end is what it's supposed to be about.
If you want all that other s-h-i-t-e then stick to playing Madden 2005 and watching "Cold Pizza".

[dncm]

I like the music on FSW - it's like the 10pm theme song in my house - and the fact that they can throw together highlights from around the globe DAILY is pretty darn good.

And I like the on-screen chemistry, some of the inside jokes on whose country did well in qualifiers, etc.

The last thing I want FSW to do, is to try and become ESPN Sportscenter which has become an absolute joke.

[Lithium858]

It seems like the volume for the whole channels is lower than the rest. Whenever I watch it I have to turn it up, and when I change the channel all the other stations are loud and I have to turn it back down. Is tehre any reason for that? Cause there are other people that have had the same problem.

[Khansingh]

My biggest complaint would be that he said, "The production values... is horrendous." Nice subject/verb agreement.

[riverplate]

I'm glad they don't have fancy graphics. One of the problems with watching sports on almost all American TV channels is that they go overboard on the graphics.

I'm want to watch the game, not read a bunch of meaningless statistics every 30 seconds or admire hip graphic designs.

Keep it simple.

As far as MLS Wrap is concerned, I think they should pattern themselves after Futbol de Primera. Just show extensive match highlights and keep any studio stuff to a minimum.

[blackjack]

JB, how many hours did it take you to type that response?

[Khansingh]

I find that FOX is the network that goes really overboard on the graphics. ABC has the best and CBS is the pits.

[kenntomasch]

JB, I started reading your post, but then I realized you probably were spot-on based on the tone of it, so I'll just sum up by saying this: It's ridiculously easy for people on Bigsoccer to spend other people's money.

[(TxT)]

I find that FOX is the network that goes really overboard on the graphics. ABC has the best and CBS is the pits.


My favorite channel to watch any sport is CBS, except for the dull color I find everything else perfect. They have the best announcers and focus primarily on the sporting event and not getting ratings with flashy graphics or an extremly crappy pre-game show like FOX.

As for FSW the only have 4 minor problems to me

1) The dull color
2) The fact that MLS Wrap can be a 30 minute show but they stretch it out to an hour(with 2 more teams being added next season they won't have a choice but to make it an hour).
3) During FSWR they'll talk about players and show highlites of them, the problem is the highlites are usually of the plyer missing an easy shot or the player making a simple shot(It really annoyed me 2 sumers ago when whenever they metioned Ronaldhino they would show him juggling and ball ballancing).
4) My final problem is that Allen Hopkins doesn't do all of the games

I also hate how SkySports news shows the scores of games then the highlites but that isn't FSW's fault.

[jammybastard]

JB, how many hours did it take you to type that response?

HAHA! My fellow Madisonian!

Actually took about 20 min.

So did you ever see if Hawk's on State St. shows EPL/CL games?

As for the *color* issues people are talking about in FSWR...
My guess is that it's a combination of the cameras and lighting they have in the studio and the compression the signal is undergoing to get it on the satellite.

If they really wanted to could make the colors pop a bit by white balancing their cameras to a light blue piece of paper. That would warm things up a bit.