Podcasting: The future of sports coverage?

[mati]

I've recently started a company dedicated to providing high quality internet broadcasting to Select level amateur, semi-pro and lower level professional soccer clubs in the Pacific Northwest. The response I've gotten has been fantastic. In my first few months of business I have broadcasting contracts with the Seattle Sounder-Saints of the USL W-League and the USL 1st Division Champion Seattle Sounders.

I see this medium as a way to make lower level soccer available to a broadening audience without the large expense of radio or television. I'm even working out contracts to broadcast several select tournaments for both youth and adults in the Pacific Northwest.

Is this the tool that can take soccer in the US to the next level?

[Anteaters FC]

Probably not...I think with podcasts, the people downloading and listening are ones that already have an interest in whatever they're looking for...so it's probably more about providing coverage that TV and radio doesn't--which is still very valuable.

[mati]

Very true, and a good point. It is a matter of making those additinal broadcasts available to people who have an interest. I don't think podcasting will ever have the reach that TV does, but I would like to be wrong about that, but I do see it as being a very effective avenue to provide for a niche market such as the US soccer community, without the risk of the cash involved in Television.

Podcasting also makes broadcasting available to a much wider range of leagues, Tournaments and clubs allowing them to provide for and grow their fan bases.

[BSjanitor]

podcasting can provide the long tail of soccer, I guess. isn't it expensive to shoot these games, though? are they just simple 1-camera productions, like the high school games you see on community cable? will there be commentary?

[Beau Dure]

As long as it's better video quality than I've found on podcasts. I can't believe I paid $1.99 for a Coldplay video that looks like crap on any display larger than an actual iPod screen.

That works fine for shows like The Daily Show that don't rely heavily on visuals. With a soccer game, I don't think you can see the ball on an iPod, so you'll be watching on your computer through iTunes. Again, as long as the video is OK, that's fine.

[mati]

The video technology is not quite up to speed. You can get high quality video, but the files are very large and not practical for the average person.

What the podcasts do work well for right now are audio match broadcasts like I've put together for the Developmental Indoor Soccer League and the Seattle Sounder-Saints and commentary and interview programs like I've put together for the Seattle Sounders. Most of the USL teams are moving towards internet only audio streams instead of am radio. It's cheaper and not limited by geography, + the sound quality is often times better. Podcasts are available on demand. Unlike a stream which is going to tie you to your computer on a Saturday night, you'll be able to put the podcast on at work or on your ipod while you're in the car, or while you run, or whatever.

Again, not something that is going to make people into soccer fans, but it can make the teams more accesible to fans who may not be able to make it out for every match, but can put the broadcast on in the background while they are at work.

Right now, the primary interest that I'm receiving is from fans, family members and coaches who are unable to travel to road games. They like to be able to listen to the flow and happenings of the game.

In the future, podcast video will be more practical, but until T-1 connections become common place, the video quality is either going to be crappy, or the files will take days to download. Sorry about your ColdPlay video.

[Lanky134]

Just listened to your show, mati. Very nice job, and a similar format and feel to what I'm doing (http://podcast.screaming-eagles.com). I liked the opening a lot. I wanted to do something similar, but got lazy and just went with player IDs...

[mati]

You've got a pretty good show yourself Lanky. Nice job. I like the player intro. that's something I'm lacking and will start adding to the broadcast. Watch out for my world cup coverage. It'll be starting on June 7th. Thanks for listening.

[Lanky134]

Thanks. I've been thinking about what to do, if anything, for the WC. Problem is that you pretty much have to do something every day to keep it current, and I don't have the time to do that. I just might put up a few thoughts on each game on the blog.

[monster]

Thanks. I've been thinking about what to do, if anything, for the WC. Problem is that you pretty much have to do something every day to keep it current, and I don't have the time to do that. I just might put up a few thoughts on each game on the blog.
I've been wondering about the WC too. I have only been doing my soccert thing for a month and it's only been on iTunes for a few weeks, but I'm getting a bunch of hits. I might actually do a WC quickie each day if I get my basement nearly finished by then. That's where the computer I record on is and I'm planning on getting cable with a DVR down there just for the WC. :p

[Lanky134]

I've been wondering about the WC too. I have only been doing my soccert thing for a month and it's only been on iTunes for a few weeks, but I'm getting a bunch of hits. I might actually do a WC quickie each day if I get my basement nearly finished by then. That's where the computer I record on is and I'm planning on getting cable with a DVR down there just for the WC. :p
Soccertalk isn't showing anything available in the ITMS. Go to your Feedburner page and select Optimize, SmartCast and see if it's active or not.

[monster]

Soccertalk isn't showing anything available in the ITMS. Go to your Feedburner page and select Optimize, SmartCast and see if it's active or not.

Everything looks fine on my end. Crap.

[Lanky134]

Everything looks fine on my end. Crap.
Go to your page in the ITMS and click Report A Concern and see what happens...

[monster]

Go to your page in the ITMS and click Report A Concern and see what happens... They show up now. We'll see if that stays.

[mati]

I've been wondering about the WC too. I have only been doing my soccert thing for a month and it's only been on iTunes for a few weeks, but I'm getting a bunch of hits. I might actually do a WC quickie each day if I get my basement nearly finished by then. That's where the computer I record on is and I'm planning on getting cable with a DVR down there just for the WC. :p


If several of us were to work together, it would lessen our workload and increase our audience. Just a thought. Brian, I like your show, I could have swore that soccertalk has been on iTunes for awhile though. Is this a second run for you?

[Lanky134]

They show up now. We'll see if that stays.
I see two of them: 4/21 and 5/5.

[monster]

I see two of them: 4/21 and 5/5. That's correct. There is a 4/29 one, but it does not show up for some unkown reason. I deleted that post on my site and posted it as a new one so hopefully it will start to show up, just for the halibut.

[monster]

If several of us were to work together, it would lessen our workload and increase our audience. Just a thought. Brian, I like your show, I could have swore that soccertalk has been on iTunes for awhile though. Is this a second run for you?
No, I just realized someone else has the same name. I might have to change it.

[MikeLastort2]

I haven't seen the US Soccer podcast (the one linked from the USSF web page) in the ITMS for a while. Anyone know what happened to it?

[Lanky134]

I haven't seen the US Soccer podcast (the one linked from the USSF web page) in the ITMS for a while. Anyone know what happened to it?
They changed the feed address a few months ago, so you might have the old address. I got two podcasts from them today.